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DoorDash to Acquire UK’s Deliveroo in $3.9 Billion Deal Amid Global Delivery Sector Shakeup

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U.S. food delivery giant DoorDash announced on Tuesday that it will acquire British rival Deliveroo in a $3.85 billion (2.9 billion GBP) deal, aiming to expand its footprint in Europe and compete more aggressively against Uber Eats and Just Eat. The move also marks one of the largest consolidation deals in the global meal delivery space.

The deal values Deliveroo at 180 pence per share, a notable discount from its 2021 IPO price of 390 pence, but a premium to recent trading levels. Deliveroo’s shares rose about 2% following the announcement but remained below the offer price.

Deliveroo CEO and co-founder Will Shu acknowledged the valuation gap, saying the IPO occurred in a very different economic and interest rate environment, and emphasized that joining forces with a larger player would better position Deliveroo to succeed in a crowded and competitive market.

Sector Consolidation Accelerates

The deal comes amid a wave of consolidation in the meal delivery industry, which has faced mounting inflation, dampened consumer spending, and scaling difficulties.

  • Also on Tuesday, DoorDash said it would acquire SevenRooms, a hospitality software firm, for $1.2 billion.

  • Meanwhile, Uber announced an $700 million acquisition of Trendyol Go, strengthening its presence in Turkey and the Middle East.

According to the companies, DoorDash and Deliveroo combined processed about $90 billion in orders in 2024, serving a total of 49 million monthly active users. The acquisition will give DoorDash access to Deliveroo’s largest markets, including the UK, Ireland, Italy, France, and the UAE.

DoorDash CEO Tony Xu noted the deal would allow DoorDash to scale investments in Europe and introduce new products, helping it challenge entrenched local players.

Investor Reactions and Deal Conditions

Despite the long-term growth potential, DoorDash shares fell 7%, partly due to a cautious profit forecast and broader investor concerns about consumer demand.

Deliveroo has secured support from shareholders controlling 15.4% of shares, including Shu, Greenoaks, and DST Global. However, the deal requires approval from 75% of Deliveroo’s shareholders to proceed. Analysts flagged the notable absence of Amazon, which holds a 14.38% stake, as a potential wildcard. Amazon has declined to comment, but remains a possible counter-bidder.

DoorDash stated it will not raise its offer unless another bidder emerges.

The acquisition is not expected to face major regulatory challenges, as DoorDash has little to no presence in Deliveroo’s 10 core markets.

Amazon’s Zoox Issues Software Recall After Self-Driving Robotaxi Crash in Las Vegas

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Zoox, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has agreed to recall 270 autonomous vehicles following an April 8 crash in Las Vegas involving one of its unoccupied robotaxis and a passenger car. No injuries were reported, but the incident prompted a temporary suspension of operations and a subsequent software update to correct the issue.

According to Zoox, the crash occurred when the robotaxi misjudged a perpendicular vehicle’s behavior, incorrectly anticipating that the oncoming car would continue moving. Instead, the car stopped and yielded, but the Zoox vehicle had already slowed and shifted right, leading to a collision despite hard braking.

The company identified that the issue arises when its vehicles travel at over 40 mph (64 km/h) and encounter vehicles that slowly encroach from perpendicular driveways. The system’s failure to accurately predict the yielding vehicle’s stop was the root cause of the incident.

Zoox has since rolled out a software fix to prevent similar errors and stated that the vehicle behavior has been addressed. This marks the second recall in recent months: in April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed a probe into 258 Zoox vehicles following two rear-end collisions caused by unexpected braking, after Zoox issued a software update.

However, Zoox remains under NHTSA scrutiny. The agency is still investigating the company’s 2022 self-certification of a robotaxi without traditional controls, such as a steering wheel or pedals.

The incident underscores ongoing regulatory and technical hurdles faced by autonomous vehicle developers as they approach broader deployment.

Amazon Launches New Kindle Paperwhite Featuring 7-Inch Display and 16GB Storage: Price and Specs Inside

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Amazon Introduces Upgraded Kindle Paperwhite with 7-Inch Display in India

Amazon has officially launched the latest version of its Kindle Paperwhite e-reader in India, featuring a series of enhancements aimed at improving the reading experience. Originally unveiled globally in October 2024, the refreshed model boasts a larger 7-inch e-ink screen that offers what Amazon claims is the highest contrast ratio ever seen on a Kindle. This device now arrives in the Indian market alongside previously launched models like the Kindle Scribe and Colorsoft Signature Edition.

One of the most notable upgrades is the inclusion of a new dual-core processor, which enables up to 25 percent faster page turns compared to its predecessor. Despite the performance boost, Amazon assures that battery life remains unaffected. The device is also slimmer and more compact, with narrower bezels that maximize screen space while maintaining a lightweight design, weighing just 211 grams.

In terms of pricing and availability, the new Kindle Paperwhite is offered in a single black color and comes with 16GB of internal storage. It is priced at ₹16,999 and is available for purchase exclusively through the Amazon India website. Customers can also choose from optional cases in black, Marine Green, and Tulip Pink, each priced at ₹1,999.

As for specifications, the 7-inch e-ink panel includes 12 white and 13 amber LEDs for adjustable front lighting and a pixel density of 300 ppi. The screen also uses a new oxide thin-film transistor to boost contrast, making text sharper and more legible in various lighting conditions. Readers can toggle between light and dark modes to suit their environment, making the new Kindle Paperwhite a flexible and user-friendly device for avid readers.