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Google clones Groupon to rival e-coupon site
Imitation is the best form of flattery, or something
Google is prepping its very own Groupon-like offering, after failing to grab the voucher site for itself.
In December the Chicago-based e-commerce coupon website snubbed Google's massive $6bn buyout approach, preferring instead to raise equity and eventually take the fast-growing company public.
According to Mashable, Mountain View has now birthed its very own coupon website, which it has initially dubbed 'Google Offers'.
The world's largest ad broker later gave the tech news site the following statement, which seemed to confirm the existence of Google Offers:
“Google is communicating with small businesses to enlist their support and participation in a test of a pre-paid offers/vouchers program. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new products, such as the recent Offer Ads beta, that connect businesses with customers in new ways.
"We do not have more details to share at this time, but will keep you posted.”
Mashable got its hands on a secret factsheet that detailed the new product "to help potential customers and clientele find great deals in their area through a daily email”.
Just last week, Groupon continued to blast its way through the global e-commerce coupon marketplace by buying three companies offering similar services in Israel, India and South Africa, after it completed a $950m round of funding from investors earlier this month. ®