On May 19, 2016, the signboard of JD.com’s headquarters outside the building in Beijing’s South District.
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Chinese online retailer Jingdong Evri is one of several companies exploring a potential bid for British parcel delivery company Evri, two people familiar with the matter said.
Reuters reported earlier this year that Evri’s owners were working with advisers on various options, including a possible sale of the business, which is valued at about 2 billion pounds ($2.53 billion), including debt.
JD.com has entered the second phase of bidding after submitting a non-binding bid last month, people familiar with the matter said.
Other potential bidders include Polish parcel locker company post and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba GroupCainiao is the logistics arm of Cainiao, people familiar with the matter said.
One person, who asked not to be named because the matter is confidential, warned that the company’s interest may or may not lead to a final offer.
Private equity fund Advent International owns 75% of Evri, while German mail-order company Otto Group holds the remainder. Ivry referred a request for comment to Advent, which declined to comment. Otto Group declined to comment.
JD.com and Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment. InPost, in which Advent holds a 15% stake, according to LSEG data, declined to comment.
JD.com takes interest in Evri after considering bid for British Electrical Group curry In February, it was finally decided not to make an offer. The group operates a logistics arm through JD Logistics and has entered into a partnership with Evri to provide European brands with greater access to China.
The sale of Evri comes as Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services is being privatized by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
One of the people said Apollo Global Management, previously reported by Sky News as a potential bidder for Evri, has also entered the second stage of bidding. Apollo declined to comment.
Evri was previously known as Hermes before Advent acquired a majority stake in the UK business in 2020 and a 25% stake in Hermès Germany from the Otto Group. In 2022, Hermes UK changed its name to Evri and is owned by Advent.
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