JD.com, the electronic commerce giant known as ‘El Amazon Chino’, has acquired most of the actions of the German consumption electronic group, MediaMarktin a movement that points to growth in Europe.
JD.com has used its subsidiary Jingdong Holding Germany GmbH to launch a voluntary public offer for Ceconomy, the Mediamarkt and Saturn matrix. The operation, valued in 2.5 billion dollarsplaces the Chinese group with 57.1% of the shares. The founders of Mediamarkt, the Kellerhals family, will retain 25.35% of the shares and part of the management. JD.com has pledged to maintain the template and management structure for the next three years, although no one doubts that it will take control.
Trump’s tariffs against the world and specifically the commercial war against China, is having consequences. The investment of the Asian giant has been growing in Europe (it doubled in 2024 compared to 2023), a stable and predictable market and with 450 million consumers where China is putting its sights.
JD.com is the larger China retail in terms of income and occupies the 47th position on the Fortune Global 500 list. It is also one of the two large B2C Retainees of China by volume of transactions and income. It has more than 600,000 employees and over the years has diversified with retail, logistics, health, technology or real estate development divisions.
If in China its great competitor is Alibaba, in the international market he has Amazon as the main competitor. And therefore the purchase of Mediamarkt makes sense to the ‘Battle of Europe’. Amazon has no presence in physical stores and JD.com has just acquired the 500 that the German group has and thereby offer technical assistance, collection of in-situ product and direct contact with humans impossible to replicate.
This type of purchase that millions of consumers still prefer, will be combined with the on-line purchase platform of JD.com and its large logistics network managed by artificial intelligence and that includes fast deliveries. The company wants to assert its Omnicanal, Robotic and Logistics Trade Experience as a differential value and with it compete from you to you with Amazon in Europe.
Mediamarkt will keep its headquarters in Düsseldorf and maintain both the Board of Directors and the staff at least for the next three years.
