Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 14
Shein Seeks H&M-Level IPO Valuation on 12% Profit Growth, 36-Day Inventory Cycle
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 14

Shein Seeks H&M-Level IPO Valuation on 12% Profit Growth, 36-Day Inventory Cycle

3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 14

Summary

  • Internal documents show Shein is pitching investors for a Hong Kong IPO valuation in line with or above H&M and Inditex, arguing it should be treated as a global fashion group rather than a Chinese brand.
  • A U.S. investment bank forecast seen in the documents projects Shein's net profit will grow at a 12% compound annual rate from 2025 to 2028, ahead of Inditex's 9% and H&M's 4%.
  • Shein says its LATR model—testing products in small batches before scaling production—drives a 36-day inventory turnover cycle, versus 71 days at Inditex and 114 at Fast Retailing.
  • The pitch implies Shein merits price-to-earnings multiples matching or exceeding Inditex's roughly 25 and H&M's 20 as it tries to win support for the listing.

Insights

Is Shein’s 36-day inventory engine enough to outweigh regulatory risk, slowing growth, and Temu pressure before its Hong Kong listing?
Behind Shein’s IPO pitch, is the bigger story a fast-fashion leader—or a company being forced into a marketplace-and-logistics pivot?