[Analysis] What is JD.com looking for in MediaMarkt and Saturn?

With the planned acquisition of Ceconomy (the parent company of MediaMarkt and Saturn), JD.com is forcing its way into the European mainland. The Chinese e-commerce giant is seeking new markets, but it will also significantly change that market: JD.com will elevate digitisation and automation to an unprecedented level in Europe.

1. MediaMarkt as a Chinese warehouse?

JD.com is a logistics powerhouse, boasting a dense network of over 550 warehouses and thousands of delivery hubs in China. Supported by AI, the retailer responds to consumer demand so quickly that the online player can predict orders days in advance and proactively send the right products to nearby distribution hubs. The system even calculates which products will be ordered together.