Economy Talk

Shop owner's take on Shein listing at a quarter of its peak

I run a small clothing shop in the UK, so I've watched Shein with a mix of awe and dread for years. The valuation falling to about $27bn from nearly $100bn in 2022 doesn't surprise me much.

Part of it is the US ending the small parcel exemption, part is the supply chain questions that blocked New York and London listings. Shein still sells a ridiculous amount, so I'm not celebrating. But it's a reminder that "cheapest possible" is a business model with a lot of hidden risks.