Shein, a fast-fashion giant known for its vast array of products, is reportedly considering going public in the near future. The company has filed confidential paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering and has enlisted the assistance of underwriters Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley. Shein, which originated as "SheInside" in 2008 in Nanjing, China, was founded by Chinese-American entrepreneur Chris Xu. Embracing the concept of rapid fashion and aiming to reduce markups, Shein has amassed around 6,000 suppliers, primarily based in China, and saw its annual revenue reach nearly $23 billion last year. Notably, the company was valued at $66 billion in May and is reportedly seeking a $90 billion valuation for its public offering.
Shein has attracted investment from entities such as Sequoia Capital China, Tiger Global Management, and the United Arab Emirates sovereign wealth fund. The company has gained notoriety for its frequent introduction of new products, with an estimated 2,000 to 10,000 additions daily, often in small quantities to gauge market interest. This rapid turnover accounts for a selection that is approximately 20 times larger than its competitors like H&M and Zara. Shein has additionally achieved popularity among online influencers who showcase their "Shein hauls" on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Recently, the company has ventured into pop-up stores and acquired a stake in Forever 21, another prominent fast-fashion brand among Gen-Z consumers.
Despite relocating its headquarters to Singapore in 2021, Shein's strong ties to China have drawn it into geopolitical controversies. The company is expected to face heightened scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and calls for investigations into its supply chain, particularly regarding the alleged use of forced labor in the production of its products. In response, Shein has asserted a zero-tolerance policy for forced labor and claims to employ third-party auditors to monitor its supply chain. Furthermore, independent designers have voiced concerns about their work being replicated in cheap imitations that appear on Shein's website. Similar to other players in the fast-fashion industry, Shein has faced criticism for its lack of environmental sustainability.
In addition to these challenges, Shein is confronting fierce competition from Temu, a marketplace predominantly offering goods directly from Chinese manufacturers. Owned by Shanghai-founded, Nasdaq-listed PDD Holdings, Temu has surpassed Shein in recent months, although both retailers still trail behind Amazon in overall sales.