usatoday24
JD.com, the “Chinese Amazon”, has closed the acquisition of Ceconomyowner of the Mediamarkt and Saturn chains. This German giant, which is valued at 2.5 billion dollars, is now in his hands.
Why is it important. The movement allows Alibaba’s direct rival to establish its first major presence in Europe. At the same time, Mediamarkt accesses the most advanced logistics technology in the world to compete with Amazon.
JD.com acquires 57.1% of Ceconomy through an offer of 4.60 euros per share23% above the previous price. The Kellerhals family, the highest shareholder so far, maintains 25.35% and remains as a strategic partner.
The context. Europe is becoming a preferential destination for Chinese investments. The operations to the continent doubled at 2024 to 8,450 million dollars, the highest figure from 2021, According to LSE data cited by Reuters.
The Commercial tensions with the United States They are pushing China to look for alternative markets. Europe can offer regulatory stability and a mature market of 450 million consumers.
In detail. Ceconomy opera …
- More than 1,000 stores.
- In 11 European countries.
- With 50,000 employees.
- He invoiced 22.4 billion euros in 2024 …
- … of which 5,100 million came from online sales.
JD.com contributes your experience in omnicanal trade and a logistics network of more than 550 stores managed by AI. Your algorithms predict orders in advance and automatically reposition inventory.
The threat. Amazon dominates European electronic commerce, but lacks remarkable physical presence. Mediamarkt, with its network of stores, can offer immediate collection and face -to -face technical service, services that the American giant does not have.
JD.com promises to maintain jobs for three years, keep the headquarters in Düsseldorf and respect the current directive structure. The operation is subject to regulatory approval and will be completed in the first half of 2026.
Between the lines. JD.com is buying something not entirely obvious: data. Purchase patterns, preferences and behaviors of millions of Europeans. The Chinese giant agrees to enormous market intelligence.
The promise of maintaining jobs sounds generous, but in the medium and long term it does not have to be exactly so, and less at this time. Predictably, JD.com will gradually automate processes that now require human hands. If everything goes well, there will be no mass layoffs, but reconversion towards more technical and specialized roles.
And now what. European consumers could benefit from more competitive prices and, above all, you deliver faster if JD.com applies Its Chinese standards:
- Delivery in 24 hours in cities.
- Delivery on the same day in large cities.
The operation marks the moment when China ceases to be the factory in the world to become its distributor. Mediumkt becomes the perfect Trojan horse: a European trusted brand with Chinese technology inside.
Outstanding image | James Jeremy Beckers
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