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OTTAWA, CA – Shopify Inc., Canada’s leading technology company, has acquired the domain names Shop.ca and Shop.us from Toronto-based EMERGE Commerce Ltd. for approximately $500,000.
These domains now redirect to Shopify’s Shop App website, a marketplace designed as a “digital shopping assistant” that allows users to search for products and brands, make purchases, and track shipments.
The original Shop.ca launched in 2011, positioning itself as “Canada’s largest online shopping destination.” However, it filed for bankruptcy in 2016 after incurring significant losses. EMERGE Commerce Ltd. acquired Shop.ca in 2018, repurposing it as a platform for content and coupons, featuring shopping guides and discount codes for major retailers. Prior to the sale, the Shop.ca and Shop.us domains were inactive and did not generate revenue.
This transaction is notable within the domain name market. According to NameBio, a database that tracks domain name sales, the most expensive publicly reported all-cash domain sales in 2024 included Rocket.com for $14 million USD and Gold.com for $8.5 million USD. While the $375,000 USD paid for Shop.ca and Shop.us is modest compared to these figures, it remains significant within the Canadian market.
EMERGE Commerce Ltd. owns a portfolio of niche e-commerce brands, including truLocal, a meat and seafood subscription service; Carnivore Club, a meat-of-the-month subscription service; UnderPar, a discount golf experiences and products company; and JustGolfStuff, a golf products and apparel retailer. The company stated that the proceeds from the sale of the Shop domains will provide non-dilutive cash to support future growth plans.
This acquisition aligns with Shopify’s strategy to expand its “Shop” brand, enhancing its online platform to compete with major e-commerce players. The Shop App serves as a centralized marketplace for Shopify-hosted retailers, aiming to streamline the shopping experience for consumers.
The domain name industry has experienced growth in recent years. According to IBIS World, the U.S. domain name sales industry grew by 4.4% to $9.4 billion USD in 2024. Aftermarket exchanges like Sedo and Afternic facilitate the buying, selling, and parking of domains, with millions currently available for sale. Investors who accurately predict valuable domain names can realize substantial returns, as demonstrated by notable sales in the industry.
About The Author: John Colascione is Chief Executive Officer of Internet Marketing Services Inc. He specializes in Website Monetization, is a Google AdWords Certified Professional, authored a ‘how to’ book called ”Mastering Your Website‘, and is a key player in several Internet related businesses through his search engine strategy brand Searchen Networks®
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