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Chinese JD.com Is Evaluating the Acquisition of Britain’s The Very Group

It has been claimed that China-based e-commerce giant JD.com is evaluating the possibility of acquiring The Very Group, one of the United Kingdom’s leading online retail companies. According to industry sources, the company is interested in the UK-based digital retail group in order to strengthen its growth strategy in Europe.

Although no official offer has yet been announced, possible acquisition talks are considered among the notable developments in the global e-commerce sector. According to experts, this move could be an important part of JD.com’s goal to expand its operations in the European market.

JD.com Wants to Increase Its Influence in Europe

JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms, has accelerated its investments in logistics, fulfillment and cross-border e-commerce in recent years. The company is especially trying to gain a stronger position in Europe through warehouse networks, delivery infrastructure and local partnerships.

The UK-based The Very Group is known as a major online retail platform operating in the fashion, electronics, home living and beauty categories. It is stated that the company has millions of active customers.

Analysts state that if JD.com acquires The Very Group, it could significantly increase its customer reach in the United Kingdom and Europe.

The Very Group Faces Financial Pressures

According to industry sources, The Very Group has recently been evaluating strategic options due to its increasing debt burden and financing costs. For this reason, possible investment or acquisition talks are said to have come onto the agenda. While it is stated that the Barclay family, which owns the company, is working on different financial alternatives, JD.com’s interest has attracted attention in this process.

Competition Is Heating Up in the European E-Commerce Market

JD.com’s possible move is considered one of the latest examples of Chinese technology and e-commerce companies’ strategy to increase their influence in Europe. In recent years, the rapid growth of China-based platforms such as Temu, Shein, Alibaba and TikTok Shop in the European market has significantly increased competition in the region.

In particular, price advantage, strong logistics infrastructures and data-driven operational models are accelerating the growth of Chinese companies in Europe. JD.com, unlike its other Chinese competitors, is said to stand out especially with its logistics technologies and fulfillment infrastructure.

If the Acquisition Takes Place, It Could Create a Major Impact

According to analysts, a possible acquisition could have significant consequences not only for the UK market but also for the digital trade balance in Europe. If JD.com’s advanced logistics technologies and The Very Group’s local customer network come together, it is considered that the company’s competitive power in Europe could increase significantly. It is also stated that this move shows that Chinese e-commerce giants are accelerating their growth strategy in Europe through direct acquisitions, going beyond organic growth.

EU Regulators Challenge JD.com’s $2.5B Economy Acquisition

The European Union has launched a formal review into whether JD.com’s planned $2.5 billion acquisition of German retailer Ceconomy involves unfair state subsidies from China.

The investigation, led by the European Commission, is being conducted under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) – a relatively new framework designed to prevent non-EU government support from distorting competition within the bloc.

Deadline set for initial findings

Regulators have set a May 28, 2026 deadline for the preliminary assessment. If concerns persist, the Commission may escalate the case into a full-scale investigation, potentially requiring JD.com to make concessions to proceed with the deal.

Interestingly, the acquisition does not fall under standard EU merger control rules, but is instead being scrutinized purely on subsidy-related concerns, highlighting the growing importance of the FSR in cross-border deals.

Strategic expansion into Europe

If approved, the deal would significantly strengthen JD.com’s international presence by giving it control over Ceconomy’s well-known retail brands, including MediaMarkt and Saturn, which operate across Europe.

This move is part of JD.com’s broader global expansion strategy as Chinese e-commerce giants increasingly look beyond domestic markets for growth.

Mixed regulatory response across Europe

While the EU review is ongoing, the deal has already triggered different reactions at the national level:

Italy has approved the transaction with conditions
Austria has raised concerns and continues its own scrutiny
Other EU countries are monitoring the situation closely

These parallel reviews underline the growing sensitivity around foreign investments in strategic retail and technology sectors.

Why this matters for e-commerce

This case is a strong signal that Europe is tightening oversight on global e-commerce players, especially those backed by state-linked financing. The outcome could:

Set a precedent for future Chinese acquisitions in Europe
Impact how global e-commerce firms structure cross-border deals
Accelerate regulatory fragmentation across EU markets

As the bloc balances openness to investment with competitive fairness, deals like JD.com-Ceconomy are becoming key test cases for the future of international commerce.

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JD.com Launches Joybuy Across 6 European Countries in Bold Expansion

JD.com launches Joybuy e-commerce platform in Europe to compete with Amazon

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has launched its new online retail platform Joybuy across six European countries, marking one of the company’s most significant international expansion moves to date. The rollout signals JD.com’s ambition to challenge established players such as Amazon in one of the world’s most competitive digital retail markets.

The platform debuted in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, offering a broad assortment of products ranging from consumer electronics and home appliances to beauty items and groceries. At launch, the marketplace includes more than 100,000 products from global brands including Apple and Samsung.

JD.com Accelerates Global Expansion

The European launch comes as JD.com looks beyond its domestic market for growth. Competition in China’s e-commerce sector has intensified in recent years, pushing major platforms to explore new international opportunities.

By introducing Joybuy in Europe, JD.com is positioning itself as a direct competitor to Amazon while also expanding the global reach of both Chinese and international brands through its marketplace infrastructure.

Founded by billionaire entrepreneur Liu Qiangdong, JD.com has grown into one of the world’s largest online retailers. The company generated more than $150 billion in annual revenue and has built a reputation for its integrated logistics network and fast delivery capabilities.

Fast Delivery at the Core of the Strategy

A key feature of Joybuy’s European rollout is its focus on rapid delivery. JD.com plans to leverage its logistics infrastructure to provide same-day and next-day delivery services in major cities. Orders placed earlier in the day may arrive within hours, giving the platform a competitive advantage in markets where delivery speed is increasingly critical to consumer choice.

The company has invested heavily in logistics infrastructure across Europe, including dozens of warehouses and distribution centers that support its proprietary delivery network. This integrated supply chain approach has long been a defining feature of JD.com’s operations in China and is expected to play a central role in its European strategy.

Competing in Europe’s Crowded E-Commerce Market

Europe represents one of the most developed and competitive e-commerce markets globally. Amazon currently dominates much of the region’s online retail sector, while Chinese platforms such as Temu and Shein have also been expanding aggressively across Western markets.

JD.com hopes its combination of competitive pricing, global brands and fast delivery will help the company attract European consumers looking for alternatives to existing platforms.

Industry analysts note that the move could intensify competition in the region, particularly as global e-commerce companies continue to expand logistics networks and cross-border marketplaces.

A Long-Term Bet on Overseas Growth

The Joybuy launch represents JD.com’s largest overseas expansion initiative so far and highlights the company’s long-term strategy to reduce reliance on China’s domestic market.

If successful, the platform could become a major new channel for international brands while also giving Chinese merchants broader access to European consumers.

Source: Business Standard