Uber Technologies Inc. is moving swiftly to cement its international dominion. In addition, they’ve recently obtained an 85%-controlling stake in Trendyol Go, a food and grocery-delivery on-demand subsidiary of one of Turkey’s unicorns Trendyol based in Istanbul. Uber isn’t kidding around – this one is a $700 million cash deal. This investment looks to cement its position atop the marketplace as competition intensifies in the stateside food delivery arena.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. This ensures that existing users can continue to use the Trendyol Go app seamlessly with no disruption. Post-merger, Uber will introduce more notable features from its bustling Uber Eats food delivery app. This strategic shift is meant to further improve quality of services offered by Trendyol Go.
Uber’s move to acquire Trendyol Go comes at a time when it faces competitive pressures from rival DoorDash back home. Uber might be the exception, but they just delivered more than 200 million delivery orders in 2024. This milestone produced $2 billion in gross bookings, which amounted to an impressive 50% year-over-year growth.
This acquisition not only aims to bolster Uber’s market share but seeks to capitalize on Turkey’s growing demand for food delivery services. The Trendyol Go platform boasts over 90,000 restaurants and 19,000 couriers, creating a robust marketplace that Uber intends to further develop.
TGA is a vital part of Trendyol Group, which includes Trendyol Go. This conglomerate is the largest player in the Turkey fashion and retail e-commerce market and is mainly controlled by Alibaba. This equation provides Uber a potent base from which to grow. It enables them to benefit from Trendyol’s more developed customer base and logistical network.
Uber’s acquisition of Trendyol Go proves its long-term commitment to this growth. This action comes despite increasing competition and changing consumer habits, combined with an industry forecast predicting a slump in spending as soon as 2025. Tovala has been in the news lately for a different reason—its recent lawsuit against DoorDash. All this, after accusing other acquirers of anticompetitive practices and backing out from a $950 million offer to purchase Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda operations in Taiwan.
As Tusk said, Uber is always looking to do more. The company is creating ecosystem partnerships with its AV technology against various sectors including ride-hailing and delivery. These efforts reflect Uber’s proactive approach to navigating a competitive landscape while seeking innovative solutions to enhance service efficiency.
