A CHINESE online megastore has launched in Britain – and it’s seeking to challenge major rivals including Amazon and Argos with its bargains.
UK shoppers can now buy from JD.com, China’s largest retailer, through its new JoyBuy platform that launches today.
The £30billion ecommerce giant will sell products across technology, appliances, beauty, home, groceries and other essentials.
It said it will also offer next day delivery to about 17million households across the UK from its launch after establishing its own logistics operations.
The move comes after the US and Hong-Kong listed company pulled out of talks for two separate deals to buy major UK retail brands over the past two years.
In 2024, the group abandoned plans for a possible deal to buy Currys, and last September it walked away from talks over a potential takeover of Argos from Sainsbury’s.
The group is now going to challenge both retail brands, among many others including Amazon, with its launch.
The group will run distribution sites from Milton Keynes and Luton to help deliver significant scope from the start of its operations in the UK.
Bosses said the business plans to establish itself in the UK for “a long time” and believes a combination of its product range, value and convenience will entice new customers.
Matthew Nobbs, managing director of Joybuy UK, said the firm was “confident” about its growth prospects in the country.
“We are here for a long time, as our CEO has said,” he said.
“We have to make sure the customer experience is really great.”
The company is launching into six new European markets, which include Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
The business struck a 2.2billion euro (£1.9 billion) deal to snap up Germany-based electronics retail group Ceconomy last year.
