Ceconomy, the German parent of MediaMarkt and Saturn, has confirmed it is in advanced talks with Chinese ecommerce group JD.com about a potential €2.2 billion takeover. While no formal offer has been made, JD.com is reportedly considering a cash bid of € 4.60 per share. SecondaryMarket.news raises questions about how this potential acquisition might influence MediaMarkt’s growing focus on sustainability. Europe’s largest electronics retailer has recently expanded its circular initiatives. In the Netherlands alone, MediaMarkt processed over 60,000 devices through its local trade-in program. The retailer is also scaling up sales of used devices in-store, online and through its marketplace platform.
More on JD.com
JD.com, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Beijing, is one of China’s largest ecommerce platforms. Known for its advanced logistics network and strong supply chain management, JD.com sells electronics, appliances, and consumer goods directly to customers. Unlike marketplace models, it controls much of its own inventory and delivery operations. The company operates globally, with growing ambitions in Europe. JD.com competes with Alibaba and is expanding beyond China amid domestic market saturation.
MediaMarkt parent confirms negotiations
In a statement released Thursday, Ceconomy acknowledged talks with JD.com, though it stressed that no legally binding agreements have yet been signed. The company’s share price surged 14 % following the announcement, reaching €4.14. Since the start of 2025, the stock has gained 58 % amid growing speculation about a buyout.
Strategic interests and earlier attempts
JD.com’s interest in Ceconomy is not new. Reports of exploratory talks date back to early 2024, and discussions reportedly occurred even earlier in 2023. The Chinese firm is under pressure to diversify its market presence beyond China, where competition from Alibaba and Meituan remains fierce. JD.com also explored acquiring UK electronics chain Currys in 2024 but later withdrew.
Ceconomy offers European retail footprint
Ceconomy operates more than 1,000 retail stores across Europe and posted sales of €5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Industry insiders suggest JD.com sees strategic value in Ceconomy’s store network and established brand presence. JD.com may leverage its expertise in logistics and supply chain efficiency to strengthen Ceconomy’s ecommerce operations.
Key shareholders will influence outcome
Any acquisition would need approval from major Ceconomy shareholders. The Haniel, Beisheim and Schmidt-Ruthenbeck families collectively control around one third of the company. The Kellerhals family, founders of MediaMarkt, also holds a significant stake. Their positions will likely determine the success of the deal.
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