Rakuten to acquire Ebates

Rakuten has confirmed that it is in the process of acquiring Ebates, a provider of the largest cash-back shopping website in North America, for a total consideration of $1 billion in cash and will hold 100% of Ebates’ outstanding voting stock.



Rakuten is the global pioneer of the B2B2C marketplace shopping model, which, according to the company, aims to empower merchants and deliver the world’s most engaging shopping experience. Rakuten also offers Rakuten Super Points, a loyalty program. Similarly, Ebates rewards shoppers with cash back on purchases while also providing access to thousands of coupons, discounts, promotions and special deals, including free shipping, at more than 2,600 retailers. In 2013, members spent more than $2.2 billion shopping through Ebates.



“The combination of Rakuten and Ebates is entirely unique and will revolutionize e-commerce,” said Rakuten founder and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani. “This is all about the consumer and we are excited to be able to empower our members with even more ways to enjoy shopping on Rakuten and Ebates. Combined, Rakuten and Ebates will be able to offer our members access to what will undoubtedly be the world’s largest selection of products across the broadest range of categories. It will also give our members the greatest incentives to keep shopping.”



“Rakuten and Ebates have a unified vision of empowerment: empower our members with the best loyalty incentives possible; and empower our merchant partners by providing them with the tools and know-how they need to succeed at e-commerce. Joining forces with Rakuten will help accelerate our US and international growth and provide deeper and richer shopping experiences for our members,” added Ebates CEO Kevin Johnson.



Rakuten believes that the combination of the two companies will help create “the world’s most attractive and innovative membership-based, loyalty-driven marketplace for consumers.”