Skip to main content

Cart.com Returns Home to Houston, Eyes Future Growth

Published Nov 20, 2023 by Taylor Tatum

Downtown Houston skyline dusk

E-commerce unicorn Cart.com has announced the relocation of its global corporate headquarters to Houston, returning to its roots after a brief stint in Austin. 

The end-to-end e-commerce services provider, originally founded in Houston in late 2020, experienced unprecedented growth fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The startup officially hit unicorn status earlier this year after a $60 million Series C round raised its valuation to $1.2 billion. 

According to the company, Houston’s central location and transportation infrastructure will facilitate improved connectivity among its seven corporate offices, including international offices in Poland and Mexico, and 14 distribution centers nationwide. In addition to those key factors, Houston’s status as a dynamic business hub also played a significant role in the company’s decision to return home. 

“I couldn’t be happier to bring Cart.com back home to Houston as we continue to revolutionize how merchants sell and fulfill products to meet customers anywhere they are,” said Cart.com Founder and CEO Omair Tariq. “The idea for Cart.com was born in Houston and we’ve always maintained a strong local presence with the majority of our executive team and board based here. As our customer mix increasingly moves upmarket and our own needs evolve, I’m confident Houston has what we need as we look towards the next stage of Cart.com’s growth story.” 

The move will also unlock a deeper talent pool as the company augments key back-office functions including accounting, finance, HR and legal in one of the top cities nationally for Fortune 500 companies and talent. 

According to the Partnership’s 2022 Houston Business Insider publication, Houston is home to more than 1.1 million millennials, reflecting a 25 percent increase over the last decade. With its population in that age group continuing to grow, Houston ranks among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for attracting millennials and retaining college graduates. 

“Cart.com’s homecoming is a testament to why companies repeatedly choose Houston to scale their business with its diverse and dynamic economy along with its unparalleled talent pool that cuts across technology, professional services and global trade,” said Bob Harvey, Partnership President and CEO. “We’re excited to support Cart.com’s continued growth and look forward to the company’s contribution to Houston’s growing tech community.” 

Boasting one of the nation's largest ports and two international airports, complemented by a robust talent pool and the cultural richness of one of the most diverse cities, Houston is a prime destination for companies aiming to maximize growth and efficiency. Cart.com’s relocation is not merely a shift in headquarters but a testament to the city’s capacity to foster success at every stage of business development.  

Learn more about Houston’s talent pool and workforce

Related News

Living In Houston

Rising in Houston: Projects to Look Forward to in 2025 and Beyond

1/10/25
Houston is a city that thrives on transformation, and 2025 promises to be no exception. From groundbreaking developments redefining sustainability to multi-use destinations enhancing urban walkability, Houston’s skyline and neighborhoods are set for exciting changes. Here’s a closer look at some of the most anticipated developments shaping the city in the years to come.   Tony Marron Park  The revitalization of Tony Marron Park is at the heart of the $310 million Buffalo Bayou East project that will extend the park into Houston’s East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods. The plans for Tony Marron Park include nearly doubling the park’s size, growing it from 19 acres to 40. As a central hub for Buffalo Bayou East, the redesigned park will feature sprawling lawns, civic spaces with soccer fields, vibrant public art, a multi-age play area, an interactive water playscape, a barbecue pavilion with a picnic grove and more. Construction is set to begin as the park closes this month.  Click to expand One Bridgeland Green  One Bridgeland Green is a key feature of Bridgeland’s Village Green at Bridgeland Central, a mixed-use development located within the 925-acre master-planned community in Cypress. This innovative project will be the region’s first mass timber office building, designed to significantly reduce environmental impact by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and lowering annual water consumption by 80 percent. The development is on track for completion this summer.     Click to expand GreenStreet  GreenStreet, the four-block mixed-use district in downtown managed by Texas-based real estate firm Rebees, is slated for a multimillion-dollar makeover. Planned updates include converting the former Forever 21 building into a pedestrian-friendly alleyway filled with dining, retail and nightlife attractions. Additional enhancements feature the installation of rooftop solar panels, improved landscaping with lush gardens and upgraded office spaces with multi-level amenities. Phase one of construction is expected to commence in Q1 2025 and be completed by Q3.  Click to expand Swift Building  The former Swift and Co. building, located in Houston’s Heights neighborhood, is set to be transformed into a 4.47-acre mixed-use development. The new Swift Building will encompass over 60,000 square feet dedicated to retail, office and restaurant space, all overlooking the popular Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail nearby. The project is set to be completed this year.   Park Eight Place  The former Halliburton campus in the Westchase District is set to be transformed into Park Eight Place, a walkable, 70-acre mixed-use destination. The $1 billion project will feature a mix of residential, retail, hotel and office space with access to nature and recreational amenities in the adjacent 200-acre Arthur Storey Park. Construction on roads and utilities is scheduled to begin this year.  Click to expand More Space: Main Street 2.0  The More Space: Main Street 2.0 project aims to increase Houston’s walkability by transforming seven blocks in downtown into a pedestrian-friendly destination. The project will extend Main Street from Commerce to Rusk and add four additional blocks from Rusk to Allen’s Landing, bringing the area to span a total of 11 blocks. This expansion will permanently block off traffic to the area, creating a promenade where people can safely eat, shop and gather. Construction is scheduled to start this year and expected to finish ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches.  Click to expand San Jacinto Marketplace  The former San Jacinto Mall in Baytown is getting a makeover. The 105-acre project, dubbed San Jacinto Marketplace, will include 500,000 square feet of retail and dining space, and a public green space. Pedestrian walkways will also be constructed to connect key areas throughout the marketplace, enhancing accessibility and walkability. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed next year.   Ritz-Carlton Residences  The Ritz-Carlton Residences, the first stand-alone of its kind in Texas, began construction in The Woodlands last year. Nestled along Lake Woodlands, the luxury condominium offers 39 floor plans and an array of upscale amenities, including a wine cellar, library, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, sauna, multi-sport simulator, dog park and more. Completion of the project is anticipated in 2027.  Learn more about why businesses are choosing Houston and what it means to live, work and play in the Bayou City. 
Read More

Related Events

Economic Development

PARTNERSHIP WEEK: Partnership Priorities in Action

Get an insider's perspective into the Greater Houston Partnership's new strategic plan, Houston Next: Advancing Opportunity, at Partnership Week's Partnership Priorities in Action event. Hear from…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners