China’s JD.com circles The Very Group
Chinese e-commerce behemoth JD.com is weighing up a £2 billion takeover of British online retailer The Very Group as it looks to affirm its foothold in the UK market.
The move follows JD.com’s failed takeover attempt of UK electricals retailer Currys, as well as its previous interest in acquiring Argos from Sainsbury's.
In January, Sky News reported that private equity firm The Carlyle Group, which acquired control of The Very Group in late 2025 - ending the Barclay family's long-standing involvement in the business - was planning a £2 billion sale of the company just months after taking control of it.
Last week, The Very Group published its latest interim results for the 39 weeks ending 28 March 2026, which revealed that retail revenue from its flagship brand, Very, grew 0.1% year-on-year to £1 billion.
The retailer’s sports offering saw 7.5% growth; however, its overall fashion segment declined 4.5% in a “tough market”.
Its toys and beauty category, which the group described as strategically important, continued to “perform well”, delivering 3% year-on-year growth, with a 4.3% increase in fragrance sales.
Overall, the group, which also includes The Very Group's financial services offering, recorded a 0.3% increase in revenue to £1.6 billion, a performance it described as resilient despite “ongoing challenges in the market”.
Group retail sales, including revenue from its Littlewoods and Very Ireland brands, declined 1.6% to £1.2 billion.
