Groupons hugely popular with consumers and businesses
Posted April 5, 2011 8:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Groupons, those discounts for spas, entertainment, and hotels, are hugely popular with consumers. But they’re hugely popular with businesses as well.
They generally have expiry dates, which lead to very busy nights for places like restaurants, and not so busy ones when the discounts aren’t offered.
But SFU marketing professor Lindsay Meredith says providing the experience was a good one, those customers will eventually return. “This groupon idea is a damn good idea. Consumers linking up to your restaurant with ‘the guys’ will come back later with his wife and kids, too,” Meredith notes.
He says the Groupon is that important hook for people who wouldn’t have otherwise visited the restaurant.
And Ian Tostenson with the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association says the financial hit establishment take during the discount period isn’t really that big. “The Groupon usually attracts a group of people. You’ll generally invite two or three people with you, so we’re finding that the average bill of the party hasn’t been affected that much, because you’re only discounting that one person in the group.”
He admits in this economy, people are focused on saving money, but hopefully when the economy improves they will be more focused on getting a great meal.
