BUSINESS

JD.com Goes Supermarket Shopping in Hong Kong with Kai Bo Deal

Published: Aug. 16, 2025 1:53 a.m. GMT+8

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The acquisition is a significant step in JD.com’s broader strategy to reinforce its logistics and fresh-food networks in the Greater Bay Area

JD.com Inc. has completed its acquisition of Hong Kong grocery chain Kai Bo Food Supermarket, marking the e-commerce giant’s formal entry into the city’s brick-and-mortar retail sector.

The Beijing-based company announced the deal’s completion on Friday, saying the move will allow Kai Bo to tap into JD.com’s robust supply chain to expand its omni-channel operations. In turn, JD.com will gain a stronger foothold in the Greater Bay Area’s fresh food supply chain.

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JD.com completed its acquisition of Kai Bo Food Supermarket, entering Hong Kong's brick-and-mortar retail sector for an estimated HK$40 billion ($5.1 billion).
The acquisition boosts JD.com's fresh food supply chain presence in the Greater Bay Area, leveraging Kai Bo's 90+ stores and over 1,000 employees.
Despite a weak overall retail market in Hong Kong, supermarket sales rose 0.4% year-on-year in June 2025; news of the deal lifted local retail stocks.

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Who’s Who

JD.com Inc.: JD.com Inc. has acquired Hong Kong grocery chain Kai Bo Food Supermarket, marking its entry into the city's brick-and-mortar retail sector. This acquisition strengthens JD.com's fresh food supply chain in the Greater Bay Area and allows Kai Bo to leverage JD.com's supply chain for omni-channel expansion. The e-commerce giant also expanded into the Hong Kong market in September 2024 with a HK$1.5 billion investment.

Kai Bo Food Supermarket: Kai Bo Food Supermarket, founded in 1991, is a Hong Kong grocery chain with over 90 locations and 1,000 employees. Known for competitive pricing on frozen meats, seafood, and fresh produce, it was recently acquired by JD.com Inc. This acquisition marks JD.com's entry into Hong Kong's brick-and-mortar retail and strengthens its Greater Bay Area fresh food supply chain.

Qian Dama: Qian Dama is a fresh-food chain that JD.com backs through its affiliate, GenBridge Capital. It entered Hong Kong in 2018 and has since expanded to operate 67 stores. JD.com's previous involvement with Qian Dama indicates its earlier foray into the Hong Kong fresh food market, preceding the Kai Bo acquisition.

GenBridge Capital: GenBridge Capital is an affiliate of JD.com. Through GenBridge Capital, JD.com backs Qian Dama, a fresh-food chain operating in Hong Kong. Qian Dama has established 67 stores since entering Hong Kong in 2018.

Ceconomy: Ceconomy is the German parent company of consumer electronics retailers MediaMarkt and Saturn. JD.com announced on July 31 that it would acquire Ceconomy, aligning with JD.com's strategy for overseas growth and local partnerships.

MediaMarkt: The article states that JD.com announced its intent to acquire Ceconomy, the German parent company of the consumer electronics retailers MediaMarkt and Saturn, on July 31. This acquisition is part of JD.com's broader strategy for overseas growth and local partnerships.

Saturn: Saturn is a consumer electronics retailer and a subsidiary of the German parent company Ceconomy. JD.com announced on July 31 that it would acquire Ceconomy, thereby expanding its retail presence internationally.

CEC International Holdings Ltd.: CEC International Holdings Ltd., which operates the 759 Store chain, saw its stock rise by 19.35% following the news of JD.com's acquisition of Kai Bo Food Supermarket. This indicates a positive market reaction to JD.com's increased presence in Hong Kong's retail sector.

759 Store: 759 Store is a retail chain in Hong Kong operated by CEC International Holdings Ltd. The company's stock rose by 19.35% following news of JD.com's acquisition of Kai Bo Food Supermarket, indicating a positive market reaction to the broader retail sector.

International Housewares Retail Co. Ltd.: International Housewares Retail Co. Ltd. (国际家居零售有限公司) operates Japan Home Centre. The company's stock gained 1.16% following news of JD.com's acquisition of Kai Bo Food Supermarket.

Japan Home Centre: Japan Home Centre is operated by International Housewares Retail Co. Ltd. Its stock gained 1.16% following the news of JD.com's acquisition of Kai Bo Food Supermarket.

AI generated, for reference only