In a bold move to expand its global footprint, JD.com has announced its largest international acquisition to date—a €2.2 billion deal to acquire Germany-based CECONOMY AG, the powerhouse behind Europe’s top consumer electronics chains, MediaMarkt and Saturn.
CECONOMY operates over 1,000 stores across 12 European countries and reported €22.4 billion in annual sales for 2024, making it a dominant force in the region’s retail landscape. This strategic takeover marks a pivotal moment for JD.com, positioning the Chinese e-commerce titan to integrate its advanced supply chain and logistics capabilities with CECONOMY’s vast brick-and-mortar network.
The acquisition not only signals JD.com’s intent to challenge global rivals like Amazon and Alibaba, but also underscores its commitment to blending online efficiency with offline reach—reshaping the future of retail across continents.
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Bosch weighs offer for appliance maker Whirlpool,
German engineering group Robert Bosch is weighing a bid for US appliances manufacturer Whirlpool, (WHR) according to three people familiar with the matter, a move that would boost its position in the household appliances market.
Bosch has been talking to potential advisers about the possibility of making an offer for Whirlpool, which has a market capitalisation of about $4.8 billion, one of the sources said.Bosch weighs offer for appliance maker Whirlpool,potential acquisition could significantly enhance Bosch’s position in the household appliance market, especially as competition with Asian rivals intensifies12. Whirlpool, founded in 1911, produces a wide range of home appliances, including refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, dryers, and small kitchen appliances. The company has undergone restructuring, folding its European business into a new company controlled by Turkish rival Arcelik and divesting its Middle Eastern and African operations.
While it remains uncertain whether Bosch will make an official offer, the move aligns with Bosch’s strategy to expand its unit that manufactures large home appliances. If successful, the acquisition could reshape the landscape of the industry and potentially impact Benton Harbor, where Whirlpool’s headquarters are located.
Amazon’s takeover bid on iRobot
Amazon has put $ 1.7 billion on the table to buy the entirety of the shares of iRobot, the American company known worldwide for the Roomba series of robot vacuum cleaners, as reported by the Wall Street Journal . Although the company is the reference brand in the sector, it has probably suffered from the growing competition due to the success of the category and in recent months it has lost profitability closing its balance sheets in deficit.
The stock, which was worth 68 dollars at the beginning of 2022, had dropped to around 35 in mid-July and then climbed back to 50 dollars per share. Amazon offering $ 61 in cash provides a premium of around 20%. The total investment envisaged by Amazon: 1.7 billion, is slightly higher than the 2021 turnover: 1.56 billion. Amazon is also committed to clearing the company’s debt.
The market does not seem to expect a further offer. Amazon is committed to building an ecosystem of home appliances to make Alexa the ‘smart home’ hub competing with Google.
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