eBay acquires delivery provider

San Jose, Calif. – eBay is acquiring Shutl, a London-based same-day e-commerce delivery company with North American headquarters in San Francisco, for an undisclosed sum. Through the purchase, eBay hopes to establish its one-hour eBay Now delivery service in 25 cities in the U.S., and U.K., by the end of 2014.



EBay is launching eBay Now in Chicago as of Oct. 23, and also plans to start the service in Dallas in the near future. Shutl says it will continue serving its U.S., and U.K., retail partners, speeding up its national and international rollouts and developing new products.



“I have the utmost appreciation for the eBay team and am excited and honored for Shutl to be a part of their plans, starting today in Chicago,” said Tom Allason, founder and CEO of Shutl, in an open letter posted on the Shutl site. “eBay’s bold vision to redefine local commerce is one that fits perfectly with what we have set out to achieve at Shutl. Approximately 75% of commerce happens within 15 miles of the consumer’s home. E-commerce is quick and convenient, two things that delivery is not. Together with eBay, we believe that we can transform this market and fulfill our mission."