Retailer Currys in play as JD.com mulls joining takeover battle

In 2021, Currys shifted its strategy to merge the four retail brands it operated – which included PC World, Dixons and Carphone Warehouse – into one central brand. Picture: Thomas Ash/PA

The future ownership of Currys is now in play as a second potential bidder, Chinese online sales giant JD.com said it is thinking of joining a takeover battle for the appliance and electronics chain that has 820 stores across the world, including 23 in Ireland, north and south.

It comes after Currys over the weekend rejected a reported £700m (€820m) offer from the long-established US hedge fund Elliott Management. Elliott had made bids last year for fashion chain Reiss and cosmetics retailer The Body Shop, which did not go through.