A raft of retailers are lining up to go public next year, driven by expectations that the economy will continue to improve and by the rising value of listed companies on the stockmarket - the general retail sector has had a phenomenal run these past two years and we've already seen two companies, Bonmarche (BON) and Conviviality Retail float on the Alternative Investment Market this year. Here's a round-up of some new entrants investors might see in the sector come 2014:
Pets at Home is widely rumoured to be planning a stockmarket listing early next year that could be worth up to £1.5bn. The pet food and accessories giant also operates veterinary practices within some of its 360-odd stores and recently reported a bumper set of full-year results. Speculation is also rife that House of Fraser, Poundland and B&M Bargains are preparing for IPOs next year.
Poundland's owners are said to be looking at options for a float in the first half. Management wants to double the size of the estate to 1,000 stores with plans to expand into Europe in the next 18 months. Asos (ASC) will soon face competition as Boohoo, a fast-growing online fashion retailer gears up for a listing worth roughly £500m in the first quarter of 2014. The IPO will raise some new money but is also intended to boost the company's profile.
Convenience chain McColls Retail Group is also reported to be gearing up for a £200m flotation. Since 2005 it has stepped up its growth strategy, adding more than 370 convenience stores to its 1,270-strong estate. The target is to have 800 convenience stores by 2015. The Hut Group, another online player, is also eyeing an IPO, while Countrywide Farmers is expected to join the Aim towards the end of 2014.
