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What to know about Chinese‑founded fast‑fashion giant Shein as it prepares Hong Kong IPO

BEIJING, Aug 24 — Shein, the Chinese-founded retailer that harnessed social media to chart a meteoric rise in the...

What to know about Chinese‑founded fast‑fashion giant Shein as it prepares Hong Kong IPO

Shein, a Chinese-founded fast-fashion retailer, is set to debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange next month with a valuation of nearly US$27 billion. The company's growth has been propelled by its vast online presence, particularly on social media, particularly TikTok, where it uses small-time video bloggers to create a loyal customer base.

Shein's main competitive edge is its ability to offer a staggering variety of ultra-cheap items at affordable prices. The company's headquarters are now in Singapore, a move analysts suggest was intended to avoid scrutiny. However, Shein still benefits from China's low-cost textile manufacturing and sophisticated logistics network.

Shein's rapid success has drawn criticism for alleged intellectual property infringement and labor abuses. The company faces scrutiny from various regions, including the European Union and the European Commission, which added Shein to its list of digital companies requiring stricter safety measures.

Environmentalists have raised concerns about Shein's impact due to its low prices and high consumption rates. France is considering a fee on ultra-fast fashion platforms like Shein, Temu, and others. Shein states it conducts regular audits to ensure fair wages and argues its on-demand model minimizes waste.

Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at malaymail.com →

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