Stord Acquires Shipwire to Enhance E-commerce Logistics
E-commerce logistics company Stord has strategically acquired Shipwire from Ceva Logistics, a decision announced on Monday that underscores the company’s ambition to scale operations and augment its capabilities within a competitive marketplace.
This acquisition allows Stord to significantly broaden its fulfillment operations through the incorporation of 12 new fulfillment centers, advanced artificial intelligence technologies, and access to Ceva’s extensive network of 1,000 warehouses.
By integrating Shipwire’s existing Ceva affiliations into its logistics framework, Stord will afford customers the flexibility to manage inventory across both warehouse systems, as highlighted by company management.
Based in Atlanta, Stord emphasized the advantages of combining innovative AI solutions for order management with its established outsourced fulfillment and cost-effective parcel shipping services.
In an environment of economic volatility, logistics firms specializing in tech-driven e-commerce are intensifying efforts to construct regional networks, expand service offerings, and foster customer relationships.
Analysts note that this trend includes pursuing strategic acquisitions, driven by the ongoing demand for online shopping, despite broader sector pressures, including heightened vacancy rates.
While the explosive growth of e-commerce experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has moderated, it remains robust. Consumers highly value the convenience, varied selection, and reduced costs frequently associated with digital transactions.
Over the last decade, U.S. e-commerce retail sales have surged by 275%, reaching $304.2 billion according to data from the Census Bureau. As of mid-2025, e-commerce comprises 16.3% of total retail sales, a significant increase from 14.6% in 2021.
Many logistics companies emerged as online shopping gained traction in the previous decade. Acquisitions have become an attractive avenue for growth, particularly since revenue expansion can be challenging for providers reliant on the startup and mid-sized sellers, many of whom encounter difficulties achieving profitability, according to Chris Considine, retail supply chain expert at Alix Partners.
Founded in 2015, Stord positions itself as a comprehensive solution for e-tailers, managing over $10 billion in transactions encompassing everything from online checkout to last-mile delivery, including returns.
Its software suite adeptly manages inventory, order processing, and warehouse operations, catering mainly to small and medium enterprises that may lack the resources for in-house logistics.
Stord operates 11 major fulfillment hubs across 13 locations, including sites in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and partners with various lead logistics providers to enhance operational capacity.
Prominent direct-to-consumer and B2B brands collaborating with Stord encompass firms such as Seed Health, Native (personal care), Jolie (shower filters), Quip (oral care), and others. Last year, Stord successfully delivered over 30 million packages to approximately 11.5% of U.S. households.
“The timing for acquisitions is opportune given the current market challenges,” stated Considine. “If one is confident that consumer demand for home delivery will persist, and if the brands acquired are desirable, their growth potential is substantial.” He further noted that Stord could effectively utilize the enhanced capacity to cater to a growing customer base.
This transaction marks Stord’s fifth acquisition. In May, the company raised over $200 million in Series E funding from various financial institutions, valuing Stord at approximately $1.5 billion. To date, Stord has raised a total of $325 million from investors.
Shortly thereafter, it acquired Ware2Go, an on-demand warehousing and fulfillment network, expanding its warehouse footprint by an additional 2.5 million square feet.
Notably, Stord reported a revenue of $147 million in 2025, as per the GetLatka database.
“In terms of e-commerce fulfillment, Stord possesses commendable capabilities. Their proprietary technology stack purportedly provides a competitive edge, although its current valuation appears to outpace financial results,” stated Evan Armstrong, a logistics analyst.
He speculated that Stord’s valuation may more realistically hover around $2.3 billion based on earnings metrics, suggesting a significant gap between valuation and performance.
Shipwire, based in Silicon Valley, offers fulfillment, warehousing, and shipping services for direct-to-consumer and dropshipping retail sectors, integrating seamlessly with over 200 e-commerce platforms.
The acquisition is expected to predominantly enhance Stord’s support capabilities within the U.S., while also expanding its presence in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia.
The deal also encompasses Shipwire’s technology division, renowned for constructing proprietary interfaces among its platform, clients, and marketplaces, and focusing on deploying AI functionalities.
Stord aims to enlist over 50 AI specialists in 2025 and 2026, with the intention of leveraging Shipwire’s expertise to upgrade its existing order management system.
Investment bank Capstone Partners anticipates that warehousing and fulfillment companies investing in AI will outperform competitors with outdated systems, thereby favoring those with adequate resources for technological advancements.
Furthermore, Stord stands to inherit a vast clientele spanning various sectors, including apparel, consumer electronics, food and beverage, and health and beauty.
The financial particulars of the acquisition remain undisclosed.
Shipwire was previously acquired by Ingram Micro in late 2013, subsequently expanding its global footprint. In 2022, CMA CGM, a French shipping and logistics conglomerate, acquired Ingram Micro’s e-commerce unit and merged it with Ceva Logistics, a firm it had purchased in 2019.
Ceva Logistics emphasized in a statement, “This divestment allows us to concentrate on our core offerings while continuing to deliver exceptional logistics services to our clients and supply chain partners.”
Sean Henry, CEO and co-founder of Stord, remarked, “The acquisition of Shipwire positions us to provide unmatched consumer experiences for brands of all sizes worldwide with every order.”
Chris Considine noted a positive experience with Stord, citing their superior customer service and distinct analytics capabilities during his tenure with Thrasio.
“Every order processed through their system arrives promptly and in excellent condition,” Considine added, highlighting the company’s emphasis on execution.
Stord has also recently acquired U.K.-based Penny Black, which provides hyper-personalized, post-purchase inserts aimed at enhancing brand experiences. To cope with rising demand, the company also announced plans to invest $40 million over the next decade to modernize its largest shipping center in Hebron, Kentucky.
Considine observed, “Stord is making shrewd acquisitions, targeting businesses with inherent value and expanding customer bases, which is compelling for sellers looking to divest.”
Stord’s multi-user facilities adeptly process orders from diverse marketplaces. Initially, inventory is cataloged in its warehouse management system utilizing barcode technology, and pick-and-pack processes are tailored to each customer’s specifications, supported by automated shuttle carts.
The company’s parcel technology optimally selects the most suitable carrier and service level for each shipment, allowing for cost-efficient logistics solutions. In addition to dispatching packages to clients’ customers, Stord facilitates pallet construction for less-than-truckload deliveries to retail distributors.
Stord reported a remarkable increase of over 50% in shipment processing during Black Friday and Cyber Monday compared to 2024, while concurrently minimizing average click-to-ship times significantly.
Other recent transactions within the e-commerce sector include Handled Commerce’s purchase of Hook Logistics and DHL’s acquisition of IDS Fulfillment last year.
According to Gordon Mackay of Capstone Partners, the warehousing and fulfillment landscape remains highly fragmented and primed for consolidation, particularly as technological capabilities and extensive networks become increasingly vital for maintaining competitiveness in the marketplace.
Source link: Finance.yahoo.com.
