Overview
- JD.com has filed a prior-authorization request with the French Economy Ministry after moving to buy Germany’s Ceconomy for about €2.2 billion, a deal that would give it roughly 22% of Fnac Darty.
- Bercy has 30 days to rule on the application’s admissibility, with the overall review potentially lasting up to three months and allowing for conditions on any approval.
- Officials emphasize that Fnac Darty’s cultural products are sensitive, with analysts flagging data concerns linked to China’s 2017 national intelligence law and the retailer’s large customer base.
- JD.com chief executive Sandy Ran Xu told French authorities the group would respect the rules and would not seek to increase its stake further.
- Daniel Kretinsky remains the largest shareholder at about 28.28% via Vesa Equity, while Fnac Darty declined to comment and Vesa has kept silent.