JD.com is considering taking over British courier company Evri

British courier Evri is attracting interest from major players in the global e-commerce market, with Chinese retail giant JD.com emerging as a potential bidder, Reuters Agency reported.

JD.com is one of several companies that have advanced to the second round of bidding after submitting a non-binding offer last month, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Evri, formerly known as Hermes, is now owned by private equity firm Advent International (75%) and German mail order company Otto Group (25%).

The company is valued at about £2 billion ($2.55 billion) including debt, and its owner, Advent, is considering various options, including a potential sale.

JD.com’s interest in Evri reflects the growing interest in the European market from Chinese e-commerce players.

The company has already entered into a partnership with Evri, which aims to make it easier for European brands to enter the huge Chinese market.

This potential acquisition could be a strategic move for JD.com to expand its logistics network in Europe and further enhance its cross-border e-commerce operations.

According to Reuters AgencyJD.com faces competition from other tycoons in the tender process.

Specifically, Polish parcel service InPost and Cainiao, a logistics arm of Alibaba Group, are reportedly in the second phase of the tender alongside JD.com.

Another candidate is private equity firm Apollo Global Management.

The interest from these established logistics players reflects the growing importance of robust supply networks in a competitive e-commerce environment.

Evri’s broad reach in the UK market makes it an attractive proposition for companies looking to expand their presence in Europe.

While the outcome of the tender remains uncertain, JD.com’s involvement is indicative of the growing ambitions of Chinese e-commerce giants on the global stage.

If the acquisition of Evri proves successful, it could significantly change the European delivery market.

“JD.com Considers Acquisition of British Courier Evri” was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData brand.

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