Groupon Flexes Its Ecommerce Power

Peter Devereaux
by Peter Devereaux 02 Jul, 2014
Groupon Flexes Its Ecommerce Power

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Despite the fact that Groupon - a company that ignited the once white-hot daily deal market - is valued at a third of its IPO price, the group-buying website is adapting to both the needs of local merchants and the wants of digitally savvy consumers.

As shoppers increasingly turn to their mobile devices to access local businesses, Groupon saw more than 10 million app downloads within the first quarter of 2014 and 54 percent of its transactions came from mobile in March of this year. Groupon could gain even more steam if they truly embrace the convergence of local and mobile.

"Central to our operating plan is that in order to win in mobile, you have to win in local, as mobile and local are inherently connected," said Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky in the company's Q1 2014 earnings call. "Everything we do is with local in mind. While we have a significant advantage in local commerce given our scale, we have yet to truly deliver an experience our customers can't live without."

By all accounts, Groupon is becoming a mobile-first company - looking to deliver a better local commerce experience. One way they plan on doing so is by getting the very best merchants onto its platform and improving the redemption experience for its customers, according to Lefkofsky. Its newest product, Groupon Gnome, should help. The solution works as an all-in-one cash register, enabling merchants to log cash transactions, accept credit and debit card payments, print or email receipts, calculate multiple tax rates, manage menu items, view transaction history and issue refunds. Read more at wsm.co/ggnome14.

Peter Devereaux
Peter Devereaux
As the Editor-in-Chief of Website Magazine and President of Website Services, Peter has established himself as a prominent figure in the digital marketing industry. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Peter has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of digital marketing. His leadership in creating innovative and targeted marketing campaigns has helped numerous businesses achieve their revenue growth goals. Under his direction, Website Magazine has become a trusted source of information and insights for digital marketers worldwide. As President of Website Services, Peter oversees a team of talented professionals who specialize in SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media, and digital advertising. Through his hands-on approach, he ensures that his team delivers exceptional results to their clients. With a passion for digital marketing, Peter is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, making him a sought-after thought leader in the field.