Shares in Sainsbury jumped to a four-year high on Monday after the UK supermarket group abruptly ended talks to sell its Argos chain to Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com.
The stock rose more than 5% in early London trading, making it the top gainer on the FTSE 100.
The sudden rally came after a weekend of shifting announcements from the company.
On Saturday, Sainsbury’s had confirmed discussions with JD.com over a potential sale of Argos, saying such a move would speed up the chain’s digital transformation.
But by Sunday evening, the grocer had terminated negotiations, citing unfavourable revised terms.
“JD.com has communicated that it would now only be prepared to engage on a materially revised set of terms and commitments which are not in the best interests of Sainsbury’s shareholders, colleagues and broader stakeholders,” the company said.
Analysts back decision but highlight challenges in separating Argos from Sainsbury’s
Market analysts broadly backed Sainsbury’s decision to walk away.
Shore Capital’s Clive Black and Darren Shirley noted that while JD.com would have been a logical buyer given its global scale in retail and logistics, the revised terms were not acceptable.
“Sainsbury’s made the right choice to step away from a deal to sell its Argos business to JD.com if it isn’t best for stakeholders,” Shore Capital analysts Clive Black and Darren Shirley wrote in a note.
Citi analyst Monique Pollard added that the breakdown underscored both the feasibility and the complexity of separating Argos from the wider group.
“A separation of Argos would be straightforward as the company has already reshuffled store teams to highlight the differences between the brands,” she said.
“Still, the presence of many Argos stores within Sainsbury’s stores creates complications and the two have been increasingly logistically linked through Argos’ transformation program,” Pollard adds.
“This weekend’s events show that Sainsbury’s is open to a transaction, but complications remain given the logistical integration of Argos into Sainsbury’s stores,” she said.
Argos struggles continue despite transformation efforts
Argos, the UK’s second-largest general merchandise retailer, has undergone significant restructuring since its £1.1 billion acquisition by Sainsbury’s in 2016.
The grocer moved hundreds of standalone Argos outlets into its supermarkets while pushing the brand further online.
The unit remains a key player in British retail with over 1,100 collection points and one of the country’s most visited e-commerce sites.
Yet profitability has lagged, with Sainsbury’s latest accounts valuing the business at just £344 million.
Falling consumer confidence and weaker demand for household goods have weighed on performance.
Chief executive Simon Roberts has acknowledged the challenges, citing “tough, competitive market conditions” and cautious consumer spending.
He has also signalled a sharper focus on Sainsbury’s food business, where growth prospects are stronger.
Prospects for Argos’s future
The collapse of negotiations with JD.com raises fresh questions about Argos’s long-term position within the group.
The unit remains a significant presence in UK retail but continues to drag on Sainsbury’s wider performance.
JD.com’s interest had offered a potential lifeline, promising to bring advanced retail and logistics expertise.
The Chinese company has been active in seeking overseas opportunities, having previously held talks with Currys in the UK and currently pursuing Germany’s Ceconomy.
For Sainsbury’s, the episode highlights both the appetite and obstacles for disposal.
A sale remains possible in future, but any buyer will have to contend with Argos’s integration into Sainsbury’s operations and the brand’s uneven profitability.
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