Shein makes lackluster debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange - NPR

Shein makes lackluster debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange September 1, 2026 12:28 PM ET Shein was once the hottest name in retail and now it's finally a publicly traded company after its lackluster debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The giant of ultra-fast fashion had spent years trying to figure out how to go public. Shein was the talk of young shoppers right after the pandemic. In 2022, Shein raised a funding round that valued the company at a hundred billion dollars. But then it failed to get its shares listed in New York and London, facing legal complaints and political scrutiny, especially over its factory work conditions. Last year, Shein raised prices after the U.S. set new tariffs and closed a tax loophole that the company had used to save on shipping costs. On its first day trading, Shein's shares at one point were down 10%, finishing just a little under the listing price and valuing the company at around $26 billion. An NPR editor adapted this audio report by Alina Selyukh. NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews. Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR. Facebook Flipboard Email