Walmart partners with Shopify to expand online marketplace business

[whohit]Walmart partners with Shopify to expand online marketplace business[/whohit]Walmart said on Monday it has partnered with e-commerce firm Shopify, as it looks to expand its online marketplace business and cash in on the coronavirus-driven jump in online shopping.

Online sales at retailers, from cosmetics makers to pizza chains, have boomed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has forced customers to stay indoors.

1,200 Shopify sellers are expected to be added to its marketplace this year and the partnership was focused on inviting small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses to its platform.

Last month, the company reported a 74% surge in quarterly e-commerce sales and discontinued operations at e-commerce start-up Jet.com, which it had acquired for $3.3 billion in 2016.

U.S.-listed shares of Shopify rose about 3% in pre-market trading. They have soared 87% so far this year.