Shopping Web site Groupon enters Memphis
Shopping Web site Groupon, which offers a daily deal on the local goods, services and cultural events, launched in Memphis today.
Using the principles of collective buying, Groupon negotiates deals with local businesses and sends free daily e-mails to subscribers notifying them of the deals.
“With its vibrant Mid-South culture, Memphis offers food, music and activities you won't find anywhere else,” Groupon’s founder Andrew Mason said in a statement. “We look forward to introducing local residents to the best businesses in Memphis and saving them money on their favorite things to do.”
The deals are only activated if a minimum number of people agree to buy, encouraging subscribers to share the promotion with family and friends via social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Guaranteeing a large number of customers provides an incentive for companies to offer good deals, the company says, and has helped more than 2 million subscribers save nearly $80 million.
Memphis is the 35th city entered by Groupon, which was launched in November 2008 in Chicago. The company plans to be in 80 cities by the end of 2010.
“Groupon brings buyers and sellers together in a fun and collaborative way,” Mason said. “We offer the consumer a great deal they can’t get anywhere else and deliver the sales directly to the merchant.”
Groupon is a project of The Point, an online community launched in 2007 for organizing group action.
Consumers interested in its service can visit www.groupon.com. Businesses wanting their goods or services featured can visit www.grouponworks.com.