FedEx has completed its acquisition of Chicago-based ecommerce platform ShopRunner, which directly connects brands and merchants with online shoppers.

ShopRunner’s capabilities should complement and expand the FedEx ecommerce portfolio and are expected to create increased value for brands, merchants and consumers.

ShopRunner directly connects more than 100 brands and merchants to millions of consumers and offers a seamless shopping experience from idea to delivery. Members enjoy benefits that include free two-day shipping, free returns, member-exclusive discounts and seamless checkout.

ShopRunner’s data-driven marketing and omnichannel enablement capabilities also help brands and merchants acquire high-value customers and accelerate their digital innovation by using the ecommerce platform.

ShopRunner will operate as part of FedEx Dataworks, a new organisation within FedEx Services focused on harnessing the power of the FedEx data ecosystem to transform the digital and physical customer experience. Dataworks will create services that build the network by collaborating across the enterprise to integrate technology and services.

“This is an exciting day for FedEx and ShopRunner, and it accelerates our ability to play a larger role in ecommerce,” said Raj Subramaniam, FedEx president and chief operating officer. “We are thrilled to bring on ShopRunner’s team of highly-skilled professionals, product capabilities and existing customer base as we work together to create a better end-to-end ecommerce ecosystem for brands, merchants and online shoppers.”

ShopRunner’s pre-purchase offerings combined with FedEx post-purchase logistics intelligence should enable brands and merchants to attract and engage consumers at scale by providing online shopping. ShopRunner’s consumer experience and omnichannel enablement capabilities are also anticipated to help unlock potential for FedEx as it continues to use data and technology to transform the end-to-end ecommerce experience.

“Bringing together our products, talent, teams and culture will catalyse the next exciting chapter of growth and performance,” said Sam Yagan, CEO of ShopRunner. “Combining forces with FedEx will open up possibilities for creating amazing online experiences and delivering new innovations for everyone we serve.”

ShopRunner offers its members free two-day shipping, free returns, member-exclusive discounts and seamless checkout. The company’s network partners include Hudson’s Bay, Kate Spade, Under Armour, CB2, Cole Haan and American Eagle Outfitters. Evercore is serving as exclusive financial advisor to ShopRunner.

With annual revenue of $75bn, FedEx has nearly 600,000 employees.