EU approves MediaMarktSaturn takeover by JD.com

EU Commission JD.com is allowed to take over MediaMarktSaturn As of: November 3rd, 2026 • 2:25 p.m

The Chinese tech giant JD.com is allowed to take over Europe's largest electronics retailer MediaMarktSaturn. The EU Commission has decided this. But requirements come from Brussels.

The European Commission has approved the planned takeover of the MediaMarkt/Saturn Group by the Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com with conditions. The authority announced this. JD.com is allowed to buy the majority shares in the parent company Ceconomy AG, but MediaMarktSaturn is not allowed to receive any advantages from Chinese subsidies as a result of the takeover. The Chinese are committed to eliminating unfair competitive advantages.

Brussels had raised concerns because, according to the EU Commission's assessment, JD.com receives Chinese subsidies, such as tax advantages and government loans. The Chinese company uses the money to finance part of its logistics and IT systems. MediaMarktSaturn will also benefit from this after the takeover, to the detriment of its competitors in Europe.

The EU Commission is therefore demanding that JD.com offer its logistics services, warehouses and technologies to other market participants under the same conditions as the future subsidiary Ceconomy, i.e. Mediamarkt and Saturn.

The EU fears violations of EU requirements and the threat of distortion of competition. more

In addition, both companies are obliged that all intra-group transactions between JD.com and Ceconomy must be carried out at arm's length conditions, in particular financing. This is intended to prevent cross-subsidization. The companies had proposed the commitments in light of the competition law review and are now bound to them for ten years.

JD.com and Ceconomy announced in a joint press release that all offer conditions had now been met and announced that the transaction would be completed in the coming days.

Ceconomy values ​​the Chinese online retailer's offer at around 2.2 billion euros. The approval of the Brussels authorities is one of the conditions for the change of ownership. State aid is subject to strict rules in the EU to avoid distortion of competition. The authority also examines certain subsidies from countries outside the EU.

Who is the Chinese e-commerce giant JD that wants to buy MediaMarkt and Saturn? more

The Chinese Ministry of Justice announced in August that if the EU stuck to its actions, it would react decisively. At the same time, Beijing banned organizations and individuals from supporting the EU with certain requests for information in China. The Justice Ministry accused Brussels of demanding extensive and unnecessary information from China. At the time, a spokesman for the EU Commission argued against the importance of equal competitive conditions. While previously only subsidies from European countries were examined, foreign subsidies are now also examined.

The aim is "that all companies operating in the EU, including Chinese companies, are treated equally and compete on equal terms," ​​said the spokesman. EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera welcomed the “constructive approach of the companies involved”. "Consumers benefit from a competitive retail and e-commerce sector where all businesses have a level playing field."

According to the Ceconomy boss, this is intended to strengthen European trade. more

Ceconomy is active with more than 1,000 MediaMarkt and Saturn stores in eleven European countries, around 400 of them here. In the summer of 2025, Germany had already examined the takeover and also given the green light - but under conditions. This is intended to ensure, for example, that customers' personal data remains protected. In addition, the federal government was granted strong monitoring and control rights, allowing it to revoke approval in the event of violations.

This topic in the program: NDR Info | News | Nov 3, 2026 | 1:15 p.m