Nevertheless, the company’s shares have fallen 5.4% since the company announced its acquisition plans.
Hiroshi Mikitani, Rakutens chief executive, has informed that the purchase offers the company access to Ebates US customers. The US company operates websites handling rebates and coupons issued by retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Japan accounts for around 90% of Rakuten’s revenues, but growth prospects are constrained by a shrinking population and weak consumer spending.
Rakuten already offers online services such as financing, travel, shopping and online video. It has also announced it would set up a Japanese low-cost carrier with Malaysian budget carrier Air Asia.
Recent acquisitions have included messaging application Viber for USD 900 million and Canadian e-book reader Kobo for USD 315 million.
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