BufferBox, the Canadian parcel pickup service that Google acquired in November 2012, is closing down its standalone operations. In an email that the company sent to its members, BufferBox said its team and technology will be integrated into Google to beef up the search giant's shopping products, according to TechCrunch.
The message sent to BufferBox members read: "At Google, we're constantly looking for new ways to help people buy their favorite products online faster and easier, and as always, it's important to evaluate the areas where we focus our efforts. That's why we've made the difficult decision to begin winding down the standalone BufferBox service, instead bringing the learnings, technology and expertise of the team to future Google Shopping products, like Google Shopping Express (currently available in the San Francisco Bay Area)."
Starting March 31, BufferBox warehouses will cease accepting packages for customers in the areas around Greater Toronto/Waterloo and San Francisco. The startup only started expanding into San Francisco in September 2013, the report explained.
BufferBox customers can download records of their parcel delivery history. Meanwhile, the startup's team will concentrate on developing Google Shopping Express. Shoppers in San Francisco will most likely see an alternative to the BufferBox service soon, TechCrunch reported.
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