Explainer
Can JD.com buy MediaMarkt's owner without an unfair state-funded edge?
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Brussels has cleared Chinese online retailer JD.com to buy Ceconomy, owner of MediaMarkt and Saturn, for 2.2 billion euros.
€2.2bn
Brussels questioned whether state support helped fund the deal. The offer came in July 2025, German antitrust cleared it in September 2025, and the Commission ruled on 3 November 2026.
- July 2025JD.com offer announced
- September 2025German antitrust clears deal
- 3 November 2026EU clears with conditions
Ceconomy employs roughly 50,000 people. Binding commitments run for a decade: JD.com must open its logistics, warehouses and technology to rivals on the same terms, and its financing must follow market conditions, which the Commission says prevents cross-subsidies.
50,000
A family holding, Convergenta, keeps 25.35% of the shares and has committed to vote with JD.com, so the Chinese group effectively controls the company.
25.35%
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The story
EU clears JD.com takeover of MediaMarkt owner Ceconomy with conditionsRead the article
Based on reports by
- RzeczpospolitaChinese take over the first large retail chain in Europe. Company present in Poland changes colors
- Le SoirEU approves the takeover of the German distributor Ceconomy
- XatakaThe EU authorizes the purchase of the MediaMarkt parent company by the Chinese giant JD.com for 2.2 billion euros
- pb.plJD.com has approval to take over the owner of MediaMarkt. The Union, however, sets tough conditions
- NRCMediaMarkt may be acquired by Chinese counterpart JD.com
- Deutsche WelleChinese will take over MediaMarkt. Brussels gave the green light