Watsons Group reportedly delays Hong Kong and London IPO

Watsons Group, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, has reportedly postponed its planned dual listing in Hong Kong and London. The retail group, which operates brands such as Superdrug in the UK and Rossmann in Germany, was seeking a valuation of approximately $30 billion and aimed to raise $2 billion through the IPO.

While the China Securities Regulatory Commission has reportedly approved the move, the listing is currently awaiting clearance from Chinese data security regulators. Some reports suggest the delay, which could extend the timeline to 2027, is due to the complex regulatory environment in Asia.

The IPO was also expected to allow Singapore’s Temasek Holdings to reduce its stake in the company. This delay occurs amid a broader cooling of the global IPO market, with several other companies in the energy, tech, and insurance sectors also pausing or delaying their market debuts.