Groupon Launches in Erie

Upcoming Features Include Salon Services, Scuba Diving Lessons and Pizzeria

ERIE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Groupon (http://www.groupon.com), a shopping website that offers a daily deal on the best local goods, services and cultural events in more than 300 markets around the world, launched in Erie on November 29, 2010.

“We will offer residents unbeatable deals on the best that Erie has to offer, while creating new streams of quality customers for top local businesses.”

“Erie’s historic downtown and vibrant culture make it a perfect match for the Groupon model,” said Rob Solomon, president and chief operating officer of Groupon. “We will offer residents unbeatable deals on the best that Erie has to offer, while creating new streams of quality customers for top local businesses.”

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 subscribers across North America more than $800 million.

“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 Erie, Groupon’s featured deals included yoga classes and home-style cuisine. Upcoming deals include salon services, scuba diving lessons and a local pizzeria. Erie joins Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown-Bethlehem and Reading as Pennsylvania’s fifth Groupon 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 300 markets around the world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer unbeatable prices and provide a win-win for businesses and consumers, delivering more than 650 daily deals globally. 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.