JD.com launched in the UK under Joybuy and is eyeing bids for Currys, Argos and Very Group after a €2.2bn offer for Ceconomy. MPs urge probe into alleged Chinese state subsidies before the £135 de minimis duty loophole closes in October 2028, stoking competition with Amazon.
JD.com has rolled out its Joybuy platform in the UK and is pursuing mergers and acquisitions, having submitted a €2.2bn bid for German retailer Ceconomy and now evaluating takeover offers for Currys, Argos and the Very Group to bolster its high-street presence.
British MPs are calling for an investigation into alleged Chinese state subsidies provided to JD.com, citing financing, tax incentives and grants that may undercut domestic retailers and create an uneven playing field for competitors like Amazon.
The UK government will close the £135 de minimis threshold for duty-free imports in October 2028, ending a loophole that benefits overseas e-commerce firms and potentially reducing JD.com's cost advantages over local retailers.
