Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has made a formal €4 billion takeover offer for Ceconomy, the parent company of MediaMarkt-Saturn, at €4.60 per share—a 43% premium over its three-month average stock price. Key shareholders, including the founding family and major institutional investors, have already committed approximately 32% of shares, with the Kellerhals family retaining a 25.4% stake post-transaction. The deal, expected to close by mid-2026, includes job protections and no operational changes to MediaMarkt-Saturn’s 1,000+ European stores.
Strategic Expansion Amid Domestic Challenges
JD.com’s move signals a pivot from China’s competitive retail market, where it faces rivals like Alibaba and weakening consumer demand. The acquisition offers growth in Europe, where Ceconomy reported €22.4 billion in 2023/24 revenue. Regulatory approvals, including EU foreign subsidy scrutiny, remain pending. Ceconomy’s stock surged 1.8% to €4.43 post-announcement, capping a 60% year-to-date rise on takeover speculation.
