Amazon Acquires GoPago: Reports

Amazon has purchased GoPago, a company that enables consumers to use mobile apps to prepay for goods before picking them up at a store, according to reports.

GoPago offers a free smartphone app that allows consumers to browse, order and pay for local goods and services at merchants such as coffee shops, hair salons and dry cleaners. Businesses set up mobile stores that with analytics from GoPago that helps create special offers.

Amazon and GoPago did not return requests for comment by deadline. The acquisition was reported by la Repubblica, an Italian publication, which was cited in reports by news sites such as TechCrunch.

Amazon's current mobile payment options include in-app payments for its app store; "Login and Pay with Amazon" for online merchants; and the Amazon Coins digital currency.  It also offers and application programming interfaces for developers.

GoPago has attracted investment from Chase, and launched its own mobile wallettwo years ago.