Germany's Ceconomy flags uncertainty over Austrian approval of JD.com deal

JD.com

27/03/2026 21:13

March 27 (Reuters) - German electronics retailer Ceconomy CECG.DE said on Friday that regulatory clearance for its planned deal with Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com 9618.HK remains uncertain in Austria, raising questions over whether the deal can be completed in the first half of this year.

Ceconomy said Austrian authorities have yet to approve the transaction and has raised concerns. The authority, which sits within Austria's Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, has so far declined to engage in joint discussions aimed at resolving those concerns, the company said.

Last year, JD.com said it would acquire Ceconomy in a deal valuing it at $2.5 billion, allowing one of China's largest online retailers to expand outside of its home market.

"With respect to the FDI (foreign direct investment) clearance in Austria, it is currently uncertain whether and, if so, when such clearance will be granted," Ceconomy said on Friday in a separate statement.

"JD.com has already made clear commitments regarding locations, jobs, data protection and management independence when the transaction was announced and has offered extensive additional remedies to the Austrian investment control authority," Ceconomy said.

Both companies are in dialogue with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, the company added.

Ceconomy said it has received merger control clearance from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Turkey, as well as the FDI clearances in Italy and France. The company expects to receive FDI clearance from Germany and Spain in the near term.

 (Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo and Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Maju Samuel)

 ((natalia.bueno@thomsonreuters.com))