Shift moves away from direct-to-consumer model to focus on carriers

The tech firm said the launch of its new platform would improve earnings for drivers while “significantly” reducing costs for enterprise businesses with final-leg delivery requirements.

Shift, which acquired Tuffnells last year, said the move heralded a new client focus for the group as it moved away from its consumer offering and divested its non-core businesses.

It said the new enterprise focussed service addressed the significant cost challenges of last-mile delivery and offered a marketplace where carriers can post delivery work for on-demand fulfilment.

It claimed that carriers could achieve substantial cost savings through optimised routing and flexible pricing models.

Jacob Corlett, founder of Shift, said: “I started this company wanting to use our technology in the consumer market and it’s been incredibly rewarding to help hundreds of thousands of customers.

“While stepping away from offering services directly to consumers has been a tough decision, as we’ve grown, it’s clear our true strength - and the real growth opportunity - is in the enterprise space.

“With thousands of drivers in our network, we’re better positioned to serve large carriers and retailers, saving them tens of millions in last-mile costs.”

Mark Pearson, chief executive at Fuel Ventures, which is an investor in Shift, said: “While we originally invested in Shift as a direct-to-consumer business, our primary interest has always been on technology-driven companies that are making a meaningful impact in their industries.

“Shift’s decision to target the enterprise space aligns perfectly with that vision. The ability to save significant costs for their clients while enhancing efficiency and sustainability is exactly the kind of innovation we support.”