Staples Looks to Get Personal With Latest AcquisitionThe office-supplies retailer has nabbed Silicon Valley startup Runa to personalize the online shopping experience.
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In a bid to boost online sales,Staplesanounced it has acquiredRuna, a San Mateo, Calif.-based startup focused on e-commerce personalization technology.
The move will help the office-supplies retailer better compete against Amazon and others in the e-commerce space.
“Runa有独特的平台和优秀人才with experience in e-commerce and online marketplaces," said Ronald Sargent, the CEO and chairman of Staples, in astatement. "With Runa, we're adding technology to better serve our customers with personalized items, offers and delivery estimates, all in real-time.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Staples will leverage Runa's personalization software by utilizing its PerfectOffer service, which delivers real-time, customized offers, and its PerfectShipping technology, a platform focused on providing delivery estimates and free-shipping options.
The retailer also plans on transitioning Runa's office into Staples' third technology lab, with the first located in Cambridge, Mass., and plans underway for the second to open in Seattle. Thus far, these labs have been innovating around the ecommerce and mobile space. It would seem the newest addition would follow suit.
Staples hasreportedlysaid that all of Runa's employees will come on board. The company is also looking to hire additional staff with backgrounds in programming, "deep learning" and data.
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Runa成立于2009年,已收到以上n $10 million in investment from Merus Capital and Sierra Ventures, among others. In the past, the company has toted partnerships with eBay and Rovio Entertainment, the creators of the Angry Bird franchise.
