Bianlifeng, a Chinese cashier-free convenience store operator, has reportedly started its IPO recently, with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and CITIC Securities as lead underwriters for the listing.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Bianlifeng plans to raise $500 million to $1 billion and go public in the U.S. at the end of this year or early next year at the earliest.

In this regard, the person in charge of the smart retailer said, "This news is not true."