Once-high-flying Retailer ASOS Falls after FTSE 250 Relegation

FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Once-high-flying Retailer ASOS Falls after FTSE 250 Relegation

FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

ASOS, the British online fashion pioneer valued at more than 7 billion pounds ($8.8 billion) just over two years ago, has been relegated from the FTSE 250 index of mid-sized companies, illustrating the sharp decline in its fortunes.

It shares fell 3% to a 12-year low of 333 pence in early deals on Thursday, giving it a market value of about 400 million pounds, following the quarterly reshuffle by FTSE Russell. It will move to the FTSE SmallCap index on June 16.

The company, like rival Boohoo, grew rapidly as 20-somethings around the world snapped up its fast fashion, and demand surged again during the pandemic when high street rivals were closed.

But it has been hit by supply chain issues, high product returns, increased competition and a cost-of-living squeeze. Earlier this month it posted a first-half loss of 87.4 million pounds.

British Land was the only company relegated from the FTSE 100 index in the June quarterly review, FTSE Russell said. It will be replaced by engineering group IMI.



Shein, Temu Gear Up for 2026 UK Trial over Copyright and Competition Claims

FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Shein, Temu Gear Up for 2026 UK Trial over Copyright and Competition Claims

FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of a Shein pop-up store at a mall in Singapore April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Online fast-fashion platforms Shein and Temu are gearing up for a 2026 trial at London's High Court, with the rivals trading allegations of copyright infringement and anti-competitive behavior in competing lawsuits.
Shein sued Temu in Britain last year, accusing Whaleco UK Limited – whose ultimate parent is Temu's owner PDD Holdings – of breach of copyright in relation to photos of some products available on the Temu platform.
Temu hit back with a counterclaim in February, accusing Shein of breaking British competition law by tying suppliers of fast-fashion products to exclusive agreements, a claim it values at 4.2 million pounds ($5.5 million) and which Shein denies.
Temu's lawyers said in court documents for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday that Shein is "flooding Temu with unwarranted notices of copyright infringement, disrupting the sale of products".
Their cases at London's High Court are expected to come to trial towards the end of 2026, Shein's lawyers said in court documents.
The London lawsuit is one leg of a global legal battle between the two rivals. Temu sued Shein in the US in December, with Shein filing its own case against Temu in August.
Both Shein and Temu have rapidly expanded in international markets with low-cost clothing, accessories and gadgets, though they have come under increased scrutiny.
Shein has faced questions over its treatment of workers and environmental record, particularly ahead of a potential London listing. It has previously said it is committed to respecting human rights and has a zero-tolerance policy for forced labor.
Temu, meanwhile, is facing an investigation from the European Commission over whether it may have breached rules aimed at preventing the sale of illegal products. Temu has said it will cooperate with regulators.