Latest news with #Shein
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
London IPO fundraising slumps in blow to UK
Fundraising from London's initial public offering (IPO) scene slumped in the first half of 2025, with just nine initial public offerings (IPOs) raising £182.8m ($246.2m) – raising questions about the fading allure of the UK as a hub for global capital. The bleak figures mark a steady decline from the same period last year, when eight IPOs generated £526.7m in H1 2024. The downturn continued in the second half of 2024, with nine IPOs raising £258m, according to data released by law firm White & Case LLP. London's most significant IPO of 2025 to date came in April with the listing of professional services company MHA (MHA.L), which raised £98m on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Read more: How to build passive income However, the City's ongoing struggle to maintain its position as a destination for high-growth tech listings is evident, as major firms like AstraZeneca (AZN.L) and Wise (WISE.L) explore shifting their listings to the US. Reports suggest that AstraZeneca's (AZN.L) CEO is considering relocating the pharmaceutical company's primary listing to the US, while money transfer service Wise (WISE.L), valued at £11bn, plans to follow suit next year. Online fast fashion giant Shein has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong as it struggled to gain the go-ahead from Chinese regulators for a flotation in London. "Shein's listing would have been a boost to the market," Alasdair Steele, corporate partner with law firm CMS, told Reuters. "However, there was never any guarantee that a single large listing would reignite the IPO market." In February, Unilever (ULVR.L) said it had chosen Amsterdam for the main listing of its ice cream business. That follows a string of London-listed companies that have either moved to a different market, such as online betting company Flutter (FLTR.L) Other major companies, such as Shell (SHEL.L), have considered a move. Despite these lacklustre figures, the market recently experienced a boost when Norwegian software giant Visma reportedly chose London over Amsterdam for its €19bn (£16.2bn) IPO. This shift comes at a critical time as London seeks to remain relevant amid global competition for tech listings. London IPO activity could jump from September Despite the challenges, Jonathan Parry, a partner in White & Case's Capital Markets group, sees potential in the UK capital. "The inherent strengths of London, including its deep pools of capital and liquidity, are often overlooked," he said. "As we have seen from high-profile capital raises this year, the London market functions very effectively for companies that have a compelling equity story and a strong management team." In the face of this mixed performance, UK public M&A activity has shown signs of recovery. White & Case data shows that Q2 2025 saw a surge in deal volumes, which tripled to 27 deals compared to 10 in Q1 2025. Furthermore, the total value of these transactions surged 353% to £18.5bn, up from £4.1bn in Q1. This activity was largely attributed to falling interest rates, a stable political and regulatory environment, and attractive valuations on offer. According to Parry, the growing IPO pipeline should pick up once again if the recent turbulence calms down. "This would mark a much-needed boost for the City and be a helpful reminder that London remains both Europe's preeminent financial centre and its largest listing venue," he said. Read more: Jobs data increases odds on Bank of England interest rate cut City investment bank Peel Hunt reported that most UK IPO candidates are waiting until September to decide whether to proceed with listings. The firm also said that sentiment around London listings has started to recover following a dip when US president Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs in April. In its latest 'IPO Speedometer' report, Peel Hunt stated that the UK IPO market remains "selectively open," with several companies looking at a post-summer "window" to potentially debut on the London Stock Exchange. "While we are still some way from a fully open UK IPO market, and there has been limited recent transaction activity, we do see conditions improving meaningfully, particularly around the broader equity market backdrop, which has turned from a headwind to a tailwind, and investor sentiment, which is increasingly constructive," Peel Hunt wrote. UK weighs changes to IPO rules to attract foreign capital Meanwhile, efforts are under way to streamline London's capital markets. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed plans to reduce red tape, making it easier and quicker for companies to raise funds. Under new rules, companies listed on the London Stock Exchange will no longer need to publish lengthy prospectuses when issuing additional shares. Also, the time between the publication of initial documents and an IPO is set to be halved. The FCA's new measures will also simplify the process for corporate bond issuance to retail investors, and a new public offer platform will help smaller growth companies raise capital more easily. There are also reports that shares in UK-listed companies could soon be traded 24 hours a day under plans from the London Stock Exchange Group, or LSEG.L, (LSEG.L) to tap into booming demand from night owl traders. The LSEG (LSEG.L), which owns the London stock market, is weighing plans to launch a 24-hour trading platform, according to the Financial Times. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to boost the appeal of the UK's sluggish stock market and attract both overseas investors and younger traders keen on buying British shares at any time of day. The shift in trading patterns, particularly in the US, is reshaping how markets operate. In the US, an increasing number of transactions are being carried out outside traditional working hours by a new wave of Gen Z retail investors using smartphone apps. This has left traditional exchanges exposed to competition, as younger, tech-savvy investors opt for more flexible trading hours. Read more: Why Apple, Amazon and other tech giants are considering bitcoin Cryptocurrency markets, such as bitcoin (BTC-USD) trading, already operate around the clock, making the notion of limited trading hours for traditional equities increasingly outdated. Platforms like Robinhood have also capitalised on this trend, allowing investors to trade stocks during late hours, further adding to the perception that traditional market hours are outdated. At present, London-listed shares only trade between 8am and 4pm. These regulatory changes come at a time when companies in the UK are grappling with increasing uncertainty. A report from EY-Parthenon showed that the number of London-listed companies warning of lower profits has spiked. In Q2 2025, 59 firms issued profit warnings, a 20% increase compared to 49 during the same period last year. EY-Parthenon attributed this rising uncertainty to "rapid and unpredictable policy shifts" that have a "paralysing effect on confidence, decision-making, and spending".Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
19 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The End Of The Cheap Everything Era
Temu and Shein take the early brunt of de-globalization policies In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, few brands have captured consumer attention as swiftly as Shein and Temu. Their meteoric rise has disrupted traditional retail, threatening Amazon's (NASDAQ: AMZN) dominance of the market by offering ultra-affordable products that seem to materialize instantly on consumers' doorsteps. And though some of what these companies offer is of questionable value — bizarre, often unnecessary items that address needs or desires the consumer didn't even know they had — the prices are low enough to make them nearly impossible to resist. In the United States, those prices were made possible in part by the de minimis exemption, which allows small parcels to enter the country duty-free. But as regulatory and geopolitical headwinds intensify, the question now looms: has the Chinese export machine finally reached its limits? LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: In this photo illustration, the Temu logo is displayed on a laptop ... More screen alongside the Shein logo on a mobile device on February 20, 2025 in London, England. U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs have affected two of the biggest Chinese-owned ecommerce platforms in the U.S. as Shein and Temu have had to withdraw some products from sale and raise prices. Shein has seen daily sales fall by up to 41% and considered cutting its valuation for a London IPO by nearly 25%. (Photo Illustration by) In the last few years, Shein and Temu harnessed the power of algorithms, social media marketing, and a relentless focus on affordability to capture the attention — and wallets — of consumers around the world. Shein ascended rapidly, becoming the top e-commerce fashion retailer in many Western markets, with a business model rooted in rapid trend analysis and turnover, as well as on-demand manufacturing. Shein spawned a whole new language of 'real-time fashion,' 'hunger marketing,' 'micro-influencers,' and 'hauls.' Temu, backed by the Chinese company PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), followed suit, leveraging its parent company's extensive supply chain to offer similar low-cost, factory-direct goods in more than 100 categories that cover everything from furniture to pet food to auto parts. This disruptive approach posed a direct threat to Amazon, which had long dominated the online retail market. Consumers, especially those with less discerning tastes and younger demographics, flocked to these new platforms for fashionable apparel and ultra-affordable goods. Quality and durability matter less when anything can be replaced for just a few dollars, with the added allure of constant novelty and the dopamine hit of an endless scroll through quirky, hyper-targeted deals. The de minimis tariff exemption was an existential pillar of Shein and Temu's business model, as it enabled them to keep prices razor-thin while maintaining incredibly quick turnaround times without the need for warehouses or inventory in the U.S. But this model was always vulnerable to policy shifts. The Trump administration's move in April 2025 to eliminate the de minimis exemption marked a turning point, significantly increasing import costs for small parcels, which in turn impacted consumer prices and purchase behaviors. The prohibition will be extended to all countries starting on July 1, 2027, as part of the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' that Trump recently signed into law. The consequences are already stark. CNBC reports that Temu has halted direct shipments from China to the U.S., citing the end of the de minimis exemption as a key factor. Temu's sales plummeted 48% in May, while Shein's sales in the U.S. were down by 23%. Shein's U.S. app download ranking went from #7 to #80, and Temu dropped from #3 to #85, according to recent data. MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 17: Customers visit the SHEIN's 'Spring Boutique' temporary store at Palazzo ... More dei Giureconsulti on March 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. SHEIN, a Chinese e-commerce platform specialized in ultra fast fashion, frequently holds temporary "pop-up" stores to allow customers to experience their products in person and to interact with the brand offline. (Photo by) In response to the limitations in the U.S., Shein and Temu have pivoted toward Europe and other emerging markets, as Shein ramped up digital advertising in Europe by over 70% in early May, seeking to offset the decline in the American market. Temu's sales in the E.U. soared by 63% in May while Shein's were up by 19%, according to data from Sensor Tower. However, the campaigns faced strong opposition from environmental groups and labor-rights activists. In France, when Shein launched a 'fashion is a right' campaign, its social justice messages were countered with satirical comments that highlighted the ecological harm caused by the rampant consumerism. European regulators are increasingly scrutinizing ultra-fast fashion and small parcel imports, threatening to introduce and enforce tighter restrictions. The European Commission's proposed flat tax on parcels under 150 euros, along with ongoing debates about advertising restrictions, underscored the regulatory tightening. Meanwhile, France's Senate has approved a protectionist law that would target 'ultra' fast fashion (read Shein), while exempting 'classic' fast-fashion players, such as European Zara, and struggling French brands, including Jennyfer and Nafnaf, which are already in bankruptcy. Faced with mounting regulatory and consumer challenges, Shein and Temu are exploring various avenues for reinvention. Shein is investing in sustainability initiatives, shifting part of its supplier base to India, and attempting to improve its supply chain transparency. Meanwhile, both companies are experimenting with different marketing approaches, including collaborations with local influencers and targeted ad campaigns designed to appeal to European consumers' growing environmental and social justice consciousness. Temu is investing in localizing its supply chain in the U.S. to reduce the tariff bite, while Shein may believe that its inherent price and responsiveness advantages will allow it to reemerge on top once competitors burn through their stockpiles of imported apparel. Both companies are targeting emerging markets such as Brazil, where Shein has cranked up ad spending by 130% while Temu increased its spend by 800%. Markets outside of the U.S. now make up 90% of Temu's 405 million monthly active users, according to an HSBC report. The end of the de minimis exemption signals a broader reckoning for the Chinese export machine's low-cost, high-volume model. As tariffs rise and regulations tighten, the economics of hyperspeed, ultra-cheap, factory-direct models they pioneered are under threat. That said, it would be a mistake to underestimate the ingenuity of these two companies, which have transformed the retail landscape, or the insatiable desire of American consumers for really cheap stuff. Middle-class consumers in emerging markets, with less entrenched domestic brands and manufacturing to protect, may welcome the chance to splurge on abundant, shiny things. As they pivot to new markets and attempt to reinvent themselves, the broader question remains: Is the era of Western consumers 'shopping like billionaires' coming to an end? The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these brands can sustain their growth or become relics of a bygone trend of cheap, disposable goods.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I ordered an £8 bag from Shein – it looks super expensive but there's a major flaw with it that no one can work out
Plus, should you be buying your wedding dress from Shein? OPEN SESAME I ordered an £8 bag from Shein – it looks super expensive but there's a major flaw with it that no one can work out SHE thought she had found the perfect bag on Shein. But little did one bargain hunter, Leah Higgins, know that her £8 clutch would come with a major flaw. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The thrifty fashionista took to TikTok after realising her stunning Shein clutch came with a major flaw Credit: TIKTOK/@leaahhiggins 2 No matter how hard she tried, Leah wasn't able to open the £8 bag Credit: TIKTOK/@leaahhiggins With her hen do around the corner, the bride to-be decided to order a bunch of bags from the China-based marketplace, Shein. Last week, one of them - a stunning pearl clutch for under a tenner - finally arrived, and Leah was amazed by the order. However, unbeknownst to her, the gorgeous accessory had a massive flaw - Leah was not able to open it, no matter how hard she tried. Desperate to solve the mystery, the thrifty fashionista took to TikTok where she sought help. ''Right, this is a shot in the dark. If anyone can help me, please help because I am seriously losing my marbles here. ''I ordered a bunch of bags from Shein for my hen do and one of them has arrived. ''She is stunning, she is everything I imagined she'd be. This looks a lot more expensive than the £8 I paid for her,'' Leah said in the video, showing off the jaw-dropping clutch. ''But when I tell you, for the past hour I've been trying to open this bag and I can't figure it out for the life of me.'' According to the fashion lover, who gave the bag a shake to prove there's a something inside, even her partner had attempted to open it - but with no luck. What's more, he pointed out, there are also no images of the bag open. I wanted even, white teeth so took a gamble on some Shein veneers - I ended up looking like Jim Carrey, do NOT recommend Despite her hardest attempts to pull the bag open from the middle, Leah (@leaahhiggins) was unsuccessful and she begged other TikTokers for a helping hand. ''HELP ME IF YOU HAVE THIS BAG PLEASE HELP ME,'' she wrote in the caption of the now-viral video, which has racked up more than 4.6million views in just five days. More than 2,000 viewers flooded to comments to share their suggests - some more hilarious than others. A fashion expert's verdict on buying a wedding dress from Shein Fabulous' Fashion Editor, Clemmie Fieldsend reveals why you shouldn't be shopping at Shein for your wedding dress. "When it comes to your big day, you want to feel your best and look your best. You want to feel special and, more importantly, be comfortable in what you're wearing, are you going to get that from Shein? I doubt it. Look, in an ideal world you're getting hitched to the person of your dreams and what you wear is irrelevant. But let's be honest, it's kind of a big deal. If you're spending your hard earned cash on food, drinks, favours and everything else to celebrate you and your partner with your nearest and dearest, you deserve a dress that makes you feel like a million dollars. But a £30 frock from Shein is a gamble. It might be ill fitting, it might be badly made or just the complete opposite to what you expected. High street bridal dresses are ten a penny these days with brands such as Asos, Karen Millen and even Primark selling bridal wear. Make a day out of it and hit your local high street or shopping centre to try on as many as you can until you find 'the one', don't wait for the postman to deliver disappointment." One joked: ''It's voice activated just say open sesame and there you go.'' Another advised: ''The gold thing push it as in away from you, it should open. if it don't turn it around and try again.'' A third fashionista commented: ''I have just bought this! It's magnetic so pull the sides apart, hold the gold top thing and pull the other side of the hard shell.'' After taking the internet by storm, Leah also posted a follow-up video where she revealed some people had told her to ''crack it like a nut''. ''And once you open it once, it will just continue open because the magnet is so strong on the inside that you just kind of have to loosen it a little bit. In the update clip, Leah placed a pair of tweezers in the teeny opening in the middle, as she pulled the two parts apart - and was gobsmacked when the clutch finally opened. Although she was then scared to close it, the clutch now opened with no problem - and the mystery was finally solved.
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I ordered an £8 bag from Shein – it looks super expensive but there's a major flaw with it that no one can work out
SHE thought she had found the perfect bag on Shein. But little did one bargain hunter, Leah Higgins, know that her £8 clutch would come with a major flaw. 2 2 With her hen do around the corner, the bride to-be decided to order a bunch of bags from the China-based marketplace, Shein. Last week, one of them - a stunning pearl clutch for under a tenner - finally arrived, and Leah was amazed by the order. However, unbeknownst to her, the gorgeous accessory had a massive flaw - Leah was not able to open it, no matter how hard she tried. Desperate to solve the mystery, the thrifty fashionista took to TikTok where she sought help. ''Right, this is a shot in the dark. If anyone can help me, please help because I am seriously losing my marbles here. ''I ordered a bunch of bags from Shein for my hen do and one of them has arrived. ''She is stunning, she is everything I imagined she'd be. This looks a lot more expensive than the £8 I paid for her,'' Leah said in the video, showing off the jaw-dropping clutch. ''But when I tell you, for the past hour I've been trying to open this bag and I can't figure it out for the life of me.'' According to the fashion lover, who gave the bag a shake to prove there's a something inside, even her partner had attempted to open it - but with no luck. What's more, he pointed out, there are also no images of the bag open. Despite her hardest attempts to pull the bag open from the middle, Leah (@ leaahhiggins) was unsuccessful and she begged other TikTokers for a helping hand. ''HELP ME IF YOU HAVE THIS BAG PLEASE HELP ME,'' she wrote in the caption of the now-viral video, which has racked up more than 4.6million views in just five days. More than 2,000 viewers flooded to comments to share their suggests - some more hilarious than others. A fashion expert's verdict on buying a wedding dress from Shein Fabulous' Fashion Editor, Clemmie Fieldsend reveals why you shouldn't be shopping at Shein for your wedding dress. "When it comes to your big day, you want to feel your best and look your best. You want to feel special and, more importantly, be comfortable in what you're wearing, are you going to get that from Shein? I doubt it. Look, in an ideal world you're getting hitched to the person of your dreams and what you wear is irrelevant. But let's be honest, it's kind of a big deal. If you're spending your hard earned cash on food, drinks, favours and everything else to celebrate you and your partner with your nearest and dearest, you deserve a dress that makes you feel like a million dollars. But a £30 frock from Shein is a gamble. It might be ill fitting, it might be badly made or just the complete opposite to what you expected. High street bridal dresses are ten a penny these days with brands such as Asos, Karen Millen and even Primark selling bridal wear. Make a day out of it and hit your local high street or shopping centre to try on as many as you can until you find 'the one', don't wait for the postman to deliver disappointment." One joked: ''It's voice activated just say open sesame and there you go.'' Another advised: ''The gold thing push it as in away from you, it should open. if it don't turn it around and try again.'' A third fashionista commented: ''I have just bought this! It's magnetic so pull the sides apart, hold the gold top thing and pull the other side of the hard shell.'' After taking the internet by storm, Leah also posted a follow-up video where she revealed some people had told her to ''crack it like a nut''. ''And once you open it once, it will just continue open because the magnet is so strong on the inside that you just kind of have to loosen it a little bit. In the update clip, Leah placed a pair of tweezers in the teeny opening in the middle, as she pulled the two parts apart - and was gobsmacked when the clutch finally opened. Although she was then scared to close it, the clutch now opened with no problem - and the mystery was finally solved.
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Chasing summer in style: ‘Big Brother Mzansi' star Zintle Mofokeng turns up the heat in Bali
Former 'Big Brother Mzansi' star Zintle Mofokeng embarks on a sun-soaked adventure in Bali's Badung Regency. Image: Instagram As temperatures continue to fluctuate across parts of South Africa, former "Big Brother Mzansi" star Zintle 'Zee' Mofokeng is trading in her cosy nights for sun-kissed adventures in Bali's Badung Regency. According to Mofokeng's posts, the destination's stunning scenery offers a perfect escape from the winter chill back home. She has been flooding her social media feeds with Bali content, sharing outfit-of-the-day posts and showcasing her stylish take on island life. The reality star's Instagram and TikTok is a vibrant showcase of Bali's stunning scenery, captured through her lens. The 24-year-old content creator has been enjoying Bali's beautiful and lively beach clubs, surrounded by the island's lush landscapes. 'These are the days we live for,' she captioned one of her posts. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ One of her recent highlights included a fun-filled day at a beach club in Ubud, where she was soaking up the sun and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Amid the excitement, her vlog camera took an unexpected dip in the water, leaving her a bit disheartened. Miraculously, the non-waterproof camera survived the dip and is now functioning normally. When she's not exploring the island, she's sharing her chic get-ready routines with her followers. In one of her recent videos, she rocked a stylish two-piece swimsuit from Shein, accessorised with gold jewellery and a pair of Dolce and Gabbana pink sandals, completing the look with a pink bucket hat. Adding a feminine touch to her look, the swimsuit's delicate pink petals perfectly complement her Bali trip, and she's soaking up every moment of her Bali trip with each post.
