Rakuten scoops up mobile order-ahead specialist Curbside
Rakuten Inc. has reached across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to acquire Curbside, a California-based company that specializes in mobile order-ahead technology for retailers and restaurants, according to a press release.
The companies did not disclose details of the deal.
"Curbside is changing the way traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and restaurants are interacting with their customers," Yaz Iida, president of Rakuten USA, said in the release. "Welcoming Curbside to the Rakuten family is all about the consumer, and we are excited to be able to empower consumers with even more ways to enjoy shopping."
Curbside technology powers e-commerce for bricks and mortar stores, providing customers with an immediate, convenient way to shop, according to the release. The company streamlines order fulfillment and enables merchants to scale their order ahead programs and deliver products to customers at the exact moment they're ready for them.
"We built Curbside to enable great mobile shopping experiences at local stores and restaurants," Jaron Waldman, co-founder and CEO of Curbside, said in the release. "Joining forces with Rakuten allows us to accelerate our platform and greatly expand our support for both merchants and shoppers."