Made.com, the online furniture retailer backed by one of Britain’s most prominent internet entrepreneurs, is exploring plans for a stock market flotation that would value it at well over £500m.
Sky News has learnt that Made.com is in talks with banks about advising on strategic options, which will include an initial public offering to take place in the coming months.
City sources said on Friday that the company, which is backed by Brent Hoberman, one of the co-founders of Lastminute.com, had yet to make any formal decision about whether to pursue a public listing.
The sale of a strategic stake to a new investor or outright sale of the company could also be considered, they added.
One insider said that Made.com’s strong financial performance during the last year would provide solid foundations for a flotation if it decided to proceed.
One insider suggested that the retailer would be valued at more than £500m and potentially close to £1bn, although a more precise valuation was unclear.
Made.com was established just over ten years ago by Mr Hoberman as a joint venture between Mydeco.com and Ning Li, a Chinese entrepreneur.
