German electronics retailer Ceconomy plans to nominate Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Remko Rejenders as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after Kai Ulrich Dessner decided to step down for personal reasons. Reuters.
Desner has informed the company’s supervisory board that he wants to step down as CEO later this year. He assumed office in May 2025.
Desner said: “It is time for me to open a new chapter in my life and rearrange my priorities. This is possible because the economy of the economy is in a very good position.
“The vision and mission of transforming MediaMarket and Star from a traditional retailer to an all-in-one service platform has been implemented.
“After three years of consistent improvement in results, we are well on our way to achieving our strategic goals, and the announced collaboration with JD.com sets the course for the next phase.”
Ceconomy said its supervisory board will discuss the leadership transition at a meeting on March 12, 2026.
The planned turnaround comes as the company moves forward with a takeover by Chinese technology group JD.com.
Dessner, which backed the proposed acquisition, said regulatory clearance for the transaction is expected in the first half of the year.
In November 2025, the Italian government gave conditional approval to JD.com’s planned purchase of Sieconomy under Rome’s “golden power” framework, which allows authorities to block or impose conditions on deals involving strategically important assets.
However, the following month, Italy imposed stricter personal data protection conditions in connection with the acquisition of JD.com’s Italian operations of Ceconomy.
Ceconomy, owner of electronic retail chains MediaMarket and Saturn, expects the deal with JD.com to support improvements in logistics and technology.
“Economy Plans CEO Transition as Diessner Prepares for Exit – Report” was originally developed and published by Retail Insights Network, a brand owned by Global Data.
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