The answer is: An interest in the Chinese online market.
In June 2016 Walmart acquired a 5.9% stake in JD.com, the Chinese ecommerce marketplace listed on Nasdaq since 2014. In January 2017 Walmart had upped its stake in JD.com to 12.1%.
In October 2016 Asda (owned by Walmart) and JD.com announced a collaboration to bring 'British authentic merchandise' to the Chinese market.
In June 2017 JD.com acquired a minority stake in Farfetch with the two companies announcing a collaboration in the Chinese market, bringing authentic luxury goods to Chinese customers.
Questions:
What do luxury brands really think of Farfetch's business model?
How is the Walmart relation perceived among luxury brands?
Will Farfetch's 'supplier stores' have to pay a higher commission to sell to China using the JD.com network?
Gossip from within any of the companies mentioned much appreciated. Feel free to comment. Note that we moderate responses.