Avalara, a provider of tax compliance automation software, is being acquired and taken private by global investment firm Vista Equity Partners for $8.4 billion, a generous 27% premium over the July 6 closing price as demand grows worldwide from retailers needing to sort out complex tax issues.
Fortia Group is pursing a vacant corner of the brand aggregator market, launching a new financing syndicate that gives entrepreneurs who have exited their ecommerce business an opportunity to invest in aggregators and reap the rewards of their growth.
Amazon continues to expand its ecommerce service offerings through acquisition, the latest example being Veeqo, a UK-based startup that provides inventory and order fulfillment tools for sellers on a variety of platforms including Shopify and eBay in addition to Amazon. The deal closed in November but was just revealed.
Home Depot has named president and COO Ted Decker, a 22-year veteran of the company, as its new CEO, replacing the retiring Craig Menear, who has guided the company through a phenomenal growth period, especially during the pandemic, while making over its supply chain operations.
Amid activist pressure, struggling retailer Kohl’s has been approached by two different private equity firms with buyout offers, the company has acknowledged based on media reports in CNBC and the Associated Press, valuing its stock at up to a 39% premium to Friday’s close.
Cart.com, a provider of ecommerce software and fulfillment services, has acquired 3PL FB Flurry for an undisclosed sum, quadrupling its total fulfillment space to more than 2 million square feet while improving its same-day and two-day delivery coverage.
Ryder System Inc. has significantly expanded its fulfillment network and added automation capabilities through the acquisition of 3PL Whiplash for $480 million, giving it warehouse assets in key markets and ports including Long Beach, CA, Seattle/Tacoma, New York/New Jersey and Savannah, GA.
Boxed, a seller of subscription bulk CPG items through its automated facilities that competes with Costco, BJ’s Wholesale and Sam’s Club, is expanding into fresh, on-demand grocery delivery with the acquisition of New York-based MaxDelivery. The company plans to leverage MaxDelivery’s high AOV model into other markets in 2022.
Reversing course, Authentic Brands Group, owner of over 30 retail properties including Aeropostale, Forever 21, Fredericks of Hollywood and Barney’s New York, is selling significant equity stakes to CVC Capital Partners and HPS Investment Partners instead of pursuing an IPO.
Cart.com, a startup founded during the pandemic aiming to be a one-stop shop for brands scaling up their ecommerce business, has raised $98 million in a Series B round to fuel further expansion, platform buildout and yet more acquisitions.