WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LivingSocial is taking the ‘daily’ out of ‘daily deals’ by offering new, extended-length promotional options for local and national merchants. The new solutions allow for flexible deal structures that satisfy merchants looking for a large one-time rush of customers or merchants seeking a steady flow of customers over an extended period of time. Consumers benefit as LivingSocial has significantly increased the quantity of deals available across locations and categories, through an easy searchable online and mobile interface.
“In the past three months we have quadrupled the number of LivingSocial deals available,” said Tim O’Shaughnessy, CEO of LivingSocial. “We have moved from simply being a daily deal company to a real marketing partner for merchants by adding effective and custom solutions to improve their bottom line. Simultaneously, we are giving consumers broader inventory and more ways to get great products, experiences, events and escapes.”
Providing Flexibility for Merchants
Merchants can opt to be featured on the LivingSocial website and app for longer periods of time to reach even more customers. Since launching the extended-length option earlier this summer, thousands of merchants across North America have selected this additional exposure.
Additionally, LivingSocial has improved the merchant experience by offering new free tools and services through the LivingSocial Merchant Center, including:
- Direct Customer Communication – Merchants can respond immediately to feedback from their customers after redeeming a deal.
- Enhanced Visibility – Merchants can access enhanced deal metrics including deal exposure and user engagement, purchaser insights and payments information.
- Social Media Manager – Merchants now have access to a tool allowing them to monitor the impact of their social media campaigns.
Consumer Destination Fueled by Increased Inventory
Whether a consumer is looking through email, browsing the website or flipping through the mobile app, LivingSocial is offering consumers a broader selection of deals. More restaurants, more spas and more last-minute weekend getaways are just clicks away in our markets across North America.
With the new LivingSocial website and app redesign, including enhanced search capabilities, consumers can easily peruse the increased inventory to hone in on exactly what they are looking for.
Expanded Travel Offerings
As a pioneer in curating travel excursions, LivingSocial continues to grow its Escapes business in industry-leading ways. In early September, the company significantly expanded Escapes inventory with a 650 percent increase in properties and tours now available to consumers.
LivingSocial Escapes is focused on travel inspiration – 70 percent of our purchasers weren’t even planning to travel when they bought their deal. LivingSocial offers are proving to make an impact on consumers’ decision to travel, generating demand for our merchant partners and providing highly relevant experiences to our consumers.
The extended range of properties and packages now available through LivingSocial cover boutique, luxury, family friendly and value-orientated options – suitable for all tastes, budgets and travel preferences.
Enhanced Offerings for National Merchants
Bloomin’ Brands, one of the world’s largest casual dining companies, recently ran a promotion for Outback Steakhouse with LivingSocial which netted over 52,500 claims and prompted over 5,000 social media shares. “We were very happy with the performance of LivingSocial as a way to distribute offers for Outback Steakhouse,” said Karen Soots, vice president of media services for Bloomin’ Brands. “LivingSocial provided us with a tool to distribute offers and engage with customers in a new way.”
Amplifier
Outside the traditional deal structure, LivingSocial has built promotional capabilities that fit the marketing needs of major national retailers. Specifically, national merchant partners have seen success with LivingSocial’s Amplifier ads, where a retailer’s existing promotions receive premium distribution on LivingSocial’s channels resulting in vastly increased exposure and incremental purchases.
Stampede
LivingSocial’s Stampede product allows brands to promote exceptional, free offers that customers can claim with no upfront payment required. Consumers click "claim now" on the offer from LivingSocial and get an email confirmation with a redemption voucher. Customers pay later when they redeem their voucher.
Coupons
Inspired by nearly 93 million consumers in the United States (eMarketer, 2013) who redeemed an online coupon in 2012, LivingSocial is rolling out Coupons, another avenue for consumers to save on products and services. Live now in a beta pilot, Coupons allow consumers to access and redeem free promo codes, coupons and information on sales from over 3,000 retailers across North America.
For the latest news from LivingSocial, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, on our blog or at livingsocial.com.
