PayPal Inc.'s parent, eBay Inc., is stepping up an effort to woo big retailers and challenge Amazon.com Inc. with a deal to buy GSI Commerce Inc. for $2.4 billion.
The purchase would give eBay, owner of the biggest e-commerce marketplace, the chance to add brands from among the 180 retailers whose websites and inventory are managed by GSI.
"It wasn't until 18 months ago that eBay even contemplated calling on larger companies or big brands," eBay's chief executive, John Donahoe, said in an interview from King of Prussia, Pa., where GSI is based. "Retailers of all sizes are looking for help about how they can compete in what is increasingly a multichannel world."
EBay, of San Jose, Calif., announced the deal Monday. It is to close in the third quarter.
