Why this £52bn stock market listing could become a headache for Starmer
A law firm has written the Financial Conduct Authority detailing its concerns about Shein’s potential listing (AFP/Getty)
If all goes to plan, Labour will no sooner have taken office than it lands a global business coup. That’s what Sir Keir Starmer and the shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, like to believe anyway.
They hope to see Shein get away with its blockbuster £52bn flotation in London. The listing by the giant, fast-growing, world-conquering Chinese-founded fast fashion group would be a clear indication that having been in the doldrums where IPOs are concerned, London is back; foreign companies are not dissuaded by Labour, rather they’re persuaded; that the UK is firmly “open for business”.
Yet, it seems the reason Shein has chosen London over New York, currently the world leader in new listings, is that the US won’t forgive their allegedly brutal working practices (which Shein denies). That’s hardly something for the UK to celebrate.