SerpApi.Org
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com (JD) has received a formal notice from the European Commission setting out its concerns over the company's proposed $2.5 billion acquisition of German electronics retailer Ceconomy, Reuters reported on Wednesday, marking the latest step in an EU investigation that could require the company to offer concessions.
The European Commission launched an in-depth probe into the transaction in May under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, examining whether JD.com (JD) benefited from preferential financing, tax incentives, and grants from the Chinese government that may have enabled it to make a higher offer for Ceconomy.
JD.com (JD) said the Commission's statement of grounds was a normal procedural step in the review process and that it can now submit remedies to address the EU's concerns. The company added that it remains confident the deal supports Europe's goals on innovation and competitiveness and still expects a positive outcome in the second half of 2026.
The Commission has set an October 2 deadline to decide whether to approve the transaction. If cleared, the acquisition would give JD.com (JD) a platform to expand beyond its domestic market through Ceconomy-owned consumer electronics retail chains MediaMarkt and Saturn.
