Google acquires e-commerce company Channel Intelligence for $125 million
 

Google just acquired the coupon-focused company Incentive Targeting and retail locker startup BufferBox in November, and it's now further bolstered its e-commerce offerings with an acquisition of Channel Intelligence for $125 million. That company is part of the ICG Group, and offers a variety of marketing and shopping services (primarily concerned with boosting sales) to other companies and online retailers, including Staples and Best Buy. It's also partnered with Google itself in recent years on Google Shopping. Barring any unforeseen hiccups, the company expects the acquisition to close sometime in the first quarter of this year.

Update: We've now also gotten this statement on the acquisition from a Google spokesperson: "We want to help consumers save time and money by improving the online shopping experience. We think Channel Intelligence will help create a better shopping experience for users and help merchants increase sales across the web."

http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/06/g...gence-for-125/