Following recent media speculation, J Sainsbury plc (“Sainsbury’s”) confirms that it is in discussions regarding a potential sale of Argos Retail Group Limited (“Argos”) to JD.com, Inc. (“JD.com”).
Argos is the UK’s second largest general merchandise retailer, with the third most visited retail website in the UK and over 1,100 collection points. Sainsbury’s is committed to delivering the strongest and most successful future for Argos customers and colleagues and the Group’s ‘More Argos, more often’ transformation strategy is delivering solid progress.
A transaction with JD.com would accelerate Argos’ transformation. JD.com would bring world-class retail, technology and logistics expertise and invest to drive Argos’ growth and further transform the customer experience. The terms of any possible transaction would include commitments from JD.com in relation to Argos for the benefit of customers, colleagues and partners.
No agreement has been reached and there is no certainty at this stage that any transaction will proceed.
A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.
Enquiries
- Sainsbury’s Investor Relations: James Collins, +44 (0) 7801 813 074
- Media: Rebecca Reilly, +44 (0) 20 7695 7295
The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Nick Grant, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary.
JD.com media relations
- E-mail: press@jd.com
- Ed Brewster: +44 (0) 7918 681 922
About JD.com
JD.com is a global leading supply chain-based technology and service provider. The company’s cutting-edge retail infrastructure seeks to enable consumers to buy whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it. The company has opened its technology and infrastructure to partners, brands and other sectors, as part of its ‘Retail as a Service’ offering to help drive productivity and innovation across a range of industries.
JD.com’s business has expanded across retail, technology, logistics, health, property development, industrials, innovative retail and international business. Ranked 44 on the Fortune Global 500, JD.com is China’s largest retailer by revenue with 600 million annual active customers. The company reported revenue of $158.8 billion (£128.5 billion) in the financial year ended December 31, 2024. In the first half of the current financial year that ended on 30 June 2025, JD.com reported revenue of $91.8 billion (£67.6 billion).
JD.com has been listed on NASDAQ since 2014, and on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2020. The number of colleagues working in the JD.com ecosystem is approximately 900,000 (June 2025). All of JD.com’s businesses are guided by the same values of: Customer First, Innovation, Dedication, Ownership, Gratitude and Integrity.