Digital Commerce Deal Numbers Up 22% - A Market Preparing for the Next M&A Boom Phase

The new Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals a strong rise in dealmaking in 1H2025, with 1,391 transactions recorded. 

This is a 22% year-on-year increase and the second-largest deal volume ever seen; only the 2022 (pandemic) 1H-figure was slightly higher, when unprecedented social upheaval caused demand for e-commerce companies to skyrocket. While that was a temporary phenomenon, momentum is now being driven by more fundamental shifts brought about by AI, which is overhauling virtually every aspect of the Digital Commerce industry.

Whether in terms of generative AI’s impact on how consumers browse online, or the introduction of autonomous AI business agents for B2B sales, this may be the most transformative moment in e-commerce since the rise of the smartphone. The effect on the M&A market is expected to be even more pronounced in the reporting periods to come. 

Discussing the deal numbers and trends in the new report, Hampleton Partners Sector Principal Ralph Hübner said: “Such is the scale of disruption that many players will have to make acquisitions to keep up with tech innovations and place more bets in this highly dynamic and complex ecosystem. With dealmaking increasingly serving the purpose of R&D, we could well be on the cusp of a major M&A wave in the Digital Commerce sector, likely beginning in 2026.”

Over the past 30 months, the top three most prolific Digital Commerce acquirers have been:

Valsoft – 14 acquisitions, including collectionHQ (collection performance improvement software for libraries), MonkeyMedia (integrated catering management software) and Qmatic (customer journey and queue management software)

Publicis Groupe – 7 acquisitions, including Adopt (digital ad strategy consultancy), BR Media Group (influencer marketing and content) and Captiv8 (data-driven influencer marketing)

Frasers Group – 7 acquisitions, including Holdsport (sports and outdoor goods retailer), Hugo Boss (premium fashion brand), XXL ASA (sports and outdoor goods retailer)

Download the full Hampleton Partners Digital Commerce M&A Market Report 2H2025, which reveals the most significant trends impacting the sector and discusses key deals within five subsectors: Internet Services & Portals, Digital Commerce Software, Agencies & Services Providers, Media, Social & Gaming, and Online Retail.

Hampleton Partners’ M&A Market Reports are compiled using data and information from the 451 Research database (www.451research.com); Capital IQ, CB Insights, Gartner, IDC and more.

Hampleton Partners advises owners of software and technology companies on M&A transactions and growth financing with strategic buyers or financial investors. Hampleton’s experienced deal makers have advised hundreds of tech industry shareholders to date, providing hands-on expertise and targeted advice to entrepreneurs looking to sell, partially retire, or accelerate their growth.

With hubs in London, Frankfurt, Stockholm, San Francisco and Shanghai, Hampleton offers a global perspective with industry expertise in the following areas: Enterprise Software, Digital Commerce, IT & Business Services, Artificial Intelligence, Autotech & Mobility, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Healthtech, Supply Chain Management, Healthtech, HR Tech, and Insurtech. 

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