Russian children's goods retailer Detsky Mir, owned by oil-to-telecoms conglomerate Sistema , is aiming to launch its planned London initial public offering in mid-March, two banking sources said on Tuesday. Detsky Mir is among a number of retail companies hoping to tap into demand from foreign investors for stakes in consumer-oriented businesses in Russia and follows the flotation of telecoms firm Megafon
in 2012 and Russian consumer credit firm TCS last year.
Other consumer-focused IPOs are expected this year such as hypermarket chain Lenta, part-owned by US private equity firm TPG, corporate and individual loans bank Credit Bank of Moscow and German retailer Metro AG's Russian cash-and-carry business.
Detsky Mir is aiming to raise between $300 million and $400 million, one source said. The offering will include new shares, the source added.
J. P Morgan, Credit Suisse, Citi and Renaissance Capital will be working on the offering, the sources said.