Target buys delivery technology provider

The major U.S. retailer has purchased San Francisco-based Grand Junction to provide last mile and local delivery solutions for e-commerce customers.    Major U.S. retailer Target has acquired San Francisco-based technology provider Grand Junction to better arm itself with last-mile options for its customers, the company said in a statement Monday.
   Grand Junction provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions to third-party logistics providers, retailers, and distributors to help them centralize the procurement and management of local deliveries. The company said it has more than 700 carriers on its platform, allowing users to create their own network of drivers.
   The software company also enables payment processing, visibility and operations dashboards. Customers include Office Depot and Target, which has been piloting a delivery project from its store in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood.
   “Grand Junction’s technology and algorithms will help Target deliver to guests faster and more efficiently,” said Arthur Valdez, Target’s executive vice president, chief supply chain and logistics officer. “This acquisition is part of Target’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Target’s supply chain to provide greater speed, reliability and convenience for guests.”
   Retail experts say they see the move as a way for Target to better compete with Amazon, as more of its customers use e-commerce to purchase products and expect speedy and low-cost delivery.
   Business media outlets also said it is the first acquisition for Minneapolis-based Target since 2013. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.