The recession has bred a new type of coupon: the group coupon. In recent months, several Web sites have launched nationwide giving customers discounts on restaurant meals, sporting events, spa treatments, golf outings — pretty much any expenditure that many people give up during economic downturns. The catch is that the coupon only applies if a certain number of people use it.
Questions:
1. After watching the video and accessing http://www.groupon.com, explain the company’s business model.Â
2. Do you think that the group coupon trend will continue? Why or why not?
3. Go to the “recent deals†in your area at http://www.groupon.com.  Pick one of the deals. If you were a company offering this deal and using the services of Groupon, what accounts would be affected by the  deals you provide?
Sources:
Eklund, Kevin. (2010) Best Social Group Buying Sites For Killer Daily Deals And Deep Discounts. Tomuse.com (Retrievable online atÂ
http://tomuse.com/group-buying-sites-coupon-deals-discount-savings/#ixzz0wt6rxlKihttp://tomuse.com/group-buying-sites-coupon-deals-discount-savings/)
Trejos, Nancy (2009). The Humble Coupon Joins Social-Media Web, The Washington Post, September 1 (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/31/AR2009083103837.html)
CNN Video. (2010). Group Coupon Business Soars, August 13. (Retrievable online at  http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/08/13/am.group.coupon.business.cnn?iref=videosearch)