Shein seeks to raise up to US$1.76 billion in Hong Kong initial public offering

Fast-fashion retailer Shein is planning to raise up to US$1.76 billion through a Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO). The company, founded in mainland China and headquartered in Singapore, will offer 279 million shares at a price range of HK$47.6 to HK$49.5 each. Shein announced on Monday that investor orders are being accepted, with trading set to commence on September 1.

Cornerstone investors, who will receive guaranteed allocations, have agreed to purchase around US$383 million worth of Shein shares, accounting for up to 22.5% of the total funds to be raised. The IPO aims to value the company at over US$27 billion, marking a significant decline from its peak valuation of nearly US$100 billion in 2022 and its Series D+ funding valuation of approximately US$64 billion in 2023.

The Singapore-based company faces numerous challenges, including intense competition, tariffs, and regulatory scrutiny, which have impacted its revenue growth and profitability. Shein's rival brands, such as PDD Holdings and Zara's parent company Inditex, have seen significant valuation increases since last year. The company may need to issue additional shares to pre-IPO investors if its final valuation falls below pre-agreed thresholds.

Shein's first-quarter revenue growth nearly stalled, growing only 1.1% year-on-year to US$9.05 billion, and it reported a net loss of US$99 million in the same period, down 25.9% year-on-year. The United States' decision to end the de minimis exemption for small packages valued under US$800 has negatively affected Shein's US sales growth and net revenue.

Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs are the joint sponsors of Shein's IPO, while Haitong International Securities, UBS, HSBC, Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific), Banco Santander, and East West Bank serve as the joint bookrunners.