Groupon Launches in Des Moines

Upcoming Features Include Theatre Tickets and Bistro Fare

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Groupon (www.groupon.com), a shopping website that offers a daily deal on the best local goods, services and cultural events in more than 250 markets around the world, launched in Des Moines on October 25, 2010.

“We offer the consumer a great deal they can’t get anywhere else and deliver the sales directly to the merchant.”

“As Iowa’s state capital and recognized cultural hub, Des Moines is an ideal Groupon market,” said Rob Solomon, president and chief operating officer of Groupon. “We will offer residents unbeatable deals on the best things to do, eat, see and buy in Des Moines, while creating new streams of revenue for top local merchants.”

Using the principles of collective buying, Groupon negotiates unprecedented discounts with popular businesses. Groupon subscribers get free daily emails alerting them to the deals. The deals are activated only when a minimum number of people agree to buy, encouraging subscribers to share the promotion with family and friends. By guaranteeing a large number of new customers, Groupon has created a powerful new marketing vehicle for local merchants. This innovative approach to e-commerce has brought millions of dollars in new revenue to local businesses while saving more than $640 million for subscribers across North America.

“Groupon brings buyers and sellers together in a fun and collaborative way,” said Solomon. “We offer the consumer a great deal they can’t get anywhere else and deliver the sales directly to the merchant.”

During its first week in Des Moines, Groupon’s featured deals included a local pub, a coffee shop and bowling. Upcoming deals include theatre tickets and bistro fare. Des Moines joins the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City market as Groupon’s second Iowa market.

About Groupon

Groupon, launched in November 2008 in Chicago, features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy in more than 250 markets around the world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer unbeatable prices and provide a win-win for businesses and consumers, delivering nearly 200 deals daily throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.groupon.com.

To get Groupon’s daily free email for the best in your city, subscribe at http://www.groupon.com.

For more information on Groupon apps for the iPhone and Android, visit http://www.groupon.com/mobile.

To learn more on how to become a featured business on Groupon, visit http://www.grouponworks.com.