Chinese Conglomerate Eyes Acquisition of MediaMarkt-Saturn in Europe

A major Chinese e-commerce corporation is reportedly setting its sights on expanding into Europe by pursuing an acquisition of MediaMarkt-Saturn's parent company, Ceconomy. The discussions between the two entities are said to be at an advanced stage, with JD.com, headquartered in Beijing, considering a voluntary public takeover offer.

According to information from Reuters, the proposed acquisition price is approximately EUR4.60 per share. Ceconomy has confirmed the ongoing negotiations, although no legally binding agreements have yet been established.

Efforts to contact Kellerhals, a significant shareholder in Ceconomy, have proven unsuccessful. The Kellerhals family holds a 29.2% stake in Ceconomy through a financial vehicle. Smaller shareholders, including Meridian and Beisheim, have also refrained from making statements regarding the negotiations. Recent reports indicate that Ceconomy's stock saw a surge of over ten percent, trading around EUR4.14, with an impressive gain of approximately 58% since January 2025. Speculations regarding a potential acquisition have been circulating for some time.

If JD.com successfully acquires MediaMarkt and Saturn, it would gain access to one of Europe's largest online retailers for electronic goods. Additionally, the acquisition would include a network of around 1,000 stores across various European countries, employing approximately 50,000 individuals. Ceconomy recently reported an annual revenue of EUR22.4 billion, with online operations contributing EUR5.1 billion to that figure.

Meanwhile, JD.com is grappling with fluctuating consumer demand in China. Expanding into the European market is seen as a strategic move to offset the declining appetite of domestic consumers.