Juniper estimates that 1.3bn QR code coupons were redeemed in 2017

"Until recently, the QR code was one of the great contenders in the race to ignite mobile commerce. But according to new reserach from Juniper, the humble QR code may be facing a rich second life as a driver of mobile loyalty.
New data released by the firm indicated that 1.3 billion mobile QR code coupons were estimated to have been redeemed last year, and the figure is set to grow by a lot — to 5.3 billion by 2022. Juniper also assigned a 2022 deadline for 4 billion mobile-enabled loyalty cards being activated by 2022 — nearly doubling the 2017 rate.
The QR-based coupon redemptions, according to Juniper, will occur across 1 billion phones and take a major boost from the fact that Apple has finally decided to include a QR code scanner in its iPhone product.
Despite a past littered with sad — and in some cases hilarious — misses, QR codes have enjoyed something of a renaissance, as players have begun using them as a nearly universal tool for consumer engagement. On top of that, consumers usually needed a special mobile app to turn their smartphone cameras into coupon scanners, which dampened enthusiasm for use. As Apple has moved to embed the technology, enthusiasm is seeing a big uptick, even in previously resistant markets."
Source:  PYMNTS, 10th January 2018
Note - I'm not entirely sure what 'redeemed' is defined as - it may be the same as 'scanned'

Over half of US homes with smart thermometers would share their data in return for cheaper bills

"Parks Associates today announced new research showing roughly 50% of U.S. broadband households would share data from their thermostat or hot water heater to get discounts on their electricity bill. The data from a 4Q 2016 survey, featured in the upcoming 360 View:Energy Management, Smart Home, and Utility Programs,also reveal willingness to share is slightly less, but still strong, for data from clothes dryers and lighting. Industry leaders will examine ways to incentivize the smart home at the eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 20-22, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas."

Source:  Press release from Parks Associates, 17th January 2017

Groupon has sold a million event tickets

"Groupon, the online deal making company from Chicago, said Saturday that it had passed a 1 million customer milestone for its G-Pass ticket sales.
"G-Pass simply allows customers to worry less about getting into the venue and focus more on enjoying the event. And at the same time, it helps alleviate stress on box office partners," said Groupon vice president and general manager Greg Rudin in statement.
Groupon said the G-Pass has been used for consumers "to enjoy their favorite band, take in an off-Broadway show or cheer on the home team."
Out of the 1 million tickets sold, 700,000 of those were sold this year, which lead the company to say the G-Pass option was "gaining momentum."
The G-Pass option has sold tickets for events as varied as the Bon Jovi "Because We Can" tour, the Joffrey Ballet and Seattle Mariners ball games, the company said."

Source:  UPI, 15th June 2013

45% of Groupon's sales come from mobile devices

"Overall revenues grew by 8 per cent to $601m in the first quarter, ahead of the $589m that Wall Street had been expecting, while income from operations fell 47 per cent to $21m. Before compensation costs, the company reported net income per share of 3 cents, in line with forecasts.
Mr Lefkofsky pointed to growth in local revenues from the fourth quarter of last year, as well as margin improvement, as encouraging signs for the company’s future. Groupon also said that 45 per cent of its transactions came from mobile devices, confirming the growing importance of mobile in its business mix."

Source:  Financial Times, 8th May 2013

Groupon made a profit of $47m in Q2 2012

"Groupon, Inc. today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.
Revenue increased 45% year-over-year to $568.3 million in the second quarter 2012, compared with $392.6 million in the second quarter 2011. Excluding the $32.4 million unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, revenue growth would have been 53% compared with second quarter 2011.
The second quarter 2012 was the first quarter that direct revenue, or the amount earned from the sale of products for which the Company is the merchant of record, was material to Groupon's overall performance. Accordingly, the Company's consolidated revenue presentation now includes third-party revenue, which is related to sales for which the Company acts as an agent for the merchant, as well as direct revenue. Third-party and direct revenues are recorded on a net and gross basis, respectively. Direct revenue was $65.4 million in the quarter, compared with $19.2 million in the first quarter 2012.
Gross billings, which reflects the total amount collected from customers, excluding any applicable taxes and net of estimated refunds, increased 38% year-over-year to $1.29 billion in the second quarter 2012, compared with $929.2 million in the second quarter 2011. Excluding the $75.1 million unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, gross billings growth would have been 47% compared with second quarter 2011.
Operating income was $46.5 million in the second quarter 2012, which included non-cash stock-based compensation and acquisition-related expenses of $25.4 million. This compares with a loss from operations of $101.0 million in the second quarter 2011, which included non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $38.7 million. Year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter had a $0.2 million unfavorable impact on operating income."

Source:  Press release from Groupon, 13th August 2012

53% of smartphone users are buying with their phones

"The study found that over 71 per cent of smartphone users across all four countries (YK, France, Germany & Sweden) are researching potential purchases via mobile, and more than half (53 per cent) are buying goods and services other than downloads on their device.
Survey results for tablet owners demonstrate the immense power of this new platform, with 40 per cent of users researching a potential purchase and 33 per cent going on to complete a transaction.  Tablet users are also among the highest mobile spenders, with the average highest amount spent quoted at £185 compared to £113 on mobile.
The ‘portability’ of mobile devices encourages anytime, anywhere research and purchasing. Even when smartphone users are in-store, retailers cannot rest easy: with 42 per cent of users comparing prices and 13 per cent switching stores after spotting a more attractive offer elsewhere. Location-based offers or vouchers, however, help to secure the interest of a fifth of potential buyers. Overall, one in four mobile research sessions ends with a purchase being completed on the phone itself.
The research reveals that the lack of mobile-optimised sites – ones that are clear, tailored, quick and easy to navigate - is a headache for more than a third of European consumers.  A quarter (26 per cent) of respondents said they would buy via mobile more frequently if websites were optimised.
The study shows that the UK has frequent but generally more frustrated mobile shoppers (50 per cent, compared with a European ‘frustration’ average of 33 per cent), while many users in France (38 per cent) believe mobile shopping saves them time. German consumers feel that buying over mobile is no different to purchasing via a computer (44 per cent) and Swedes are most likely to turn to their mobile phone in-store.  These national differences have far-reaching implications for advertisers looking to develop internationally optimised mobile offerings and affiliate programmes."

Source:  Research by Forrester for Tradedoubler, reported in a press release, 19th June 2012

Methodology:  "The research, commissioned by Tradedoubler and carried out by Forrester Consulting, involved more than 2,000 smartphone users in the UK, France, Germany and Sweden."

25% of Groupons purchased in December were bought on a mobile device

"Groupon today announced record mobile performance in North America in December 2011 with one quarter of all Groupon vouchers purchased via a mobile device and both consumer and merchant app usage up significantly year over year.
December 2011 North American Mobile Performance:
25% of Groupons were purchased on a mobile device
Mobile app users increased by more than three times from last December to over nine million
More than 12,000 merchant partners used Groupon's merchant mobile app to redeem vouchers and track purchases using an iOS device or an Android phone."

Source:  Press release from Groupon, 27th February 2012

LivingSocial made a net loss of $588m in 2011

"LivingSocial’s financial results for the past year were reported by Amazon today, revealing that the company continues to trail behind Groupon by a wide margin.
Amazon, which has a 31 percent stake in the second-largest daily deals company, released the figures as part of its quarterly filing today with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
It said LivingSocial’s 2011 net loss totaled $558 million on revenues of $245 million."

Source:  AllThingsD, 1st February 2012

Groupon's IPO values the company at $12.65bn

"Groupon raised $700m in its highly anticipated initial public offering on Thursday night, overcoming a host of investor concerns to break through in a difficult market for US IPOs.
The pricing at $20 a share valued the group at $12.65bn. The valuation was above its range of $10bn-$11bn, but below the valuation it had been seeking earlier this year of closer to $20bn."

Source:  Financial Times, 4th November 2011

Online coupons drive incremental business

"Online coupons and promotion codes drive incremental business: Offering coupons and deals generates new users and increases overall user spending. Active coupon users reported spending over $800 more per year with e-commerce merchants than less active coupon users ($1,850 versus $1,025). In addition, 74% of active coupon users indicated that they would be likely to try a new brand if they received a coupon or promotion code versus 54% of less active coupon users.
Online coupons and promotion codes positively influence the purchase cycle by reducing shopping cart abandonment, improving conversion rates and reinforcing positive feelings about brands. Additionally, 88% of respondents said that promo codes or coupons “close the deal” on their decision to make a purchase.
Reduced shopping cart abandonment: 60% of respondents indicated that if they received an online coupon or promotion code they would be more likely to reconsider purchasing a product that they had put in their shopping cart but had not bought.
Improved brand loyalty and reputation: 80% of respondents indicated that offering online coupons or promotion codes improves a company’s brand image, with an impressive 88% of respondents saying that they have positive feelings toward companies that offer coupons."

Source:  Research by Forrester Consulting for Whaleshark Media, reported in a press release, 5th October 2011

There are nearly 250,000 NFC-enabled tills in the US

"Google has linked up with Citigroup bank, MasterCard, the mobile carrier Sprint, till maker First Data, and 15 retailers from pharmacies to McDonald's and Macy's department stores. By the end of this year Bedier says many of the largest retailers will be on board, each with thousands of terminals installed, all equipped with so-called near field communications touch pads, which create a wireless connection between two devices close to each other.
The US already has 230,000 readers at tills, and there will be tens of thousands more by Christmas. "We are excited about the amount of usage compared to our original expectations," says Bedier. The triallists use their mobile wallets daily or weekly, for smaller purchases: fast food, prescription drugs, clothes, cosmetics and small small electronic goods."

Source:  The Guardian, 17th September 2011

The estimated breakdown of revenues for UK daily deal sites

Click to enlarge

Source:  Data from daily deal aggregator Siftie.co.uk, reported in TechCrunch, 30th August 2011

72% of people active on Twitter daily publish blog posts at least once a month

"Who are Twitter users and why are they so important to your brand?
Of the users who are active on Twitter daily:
72% publish blog posts at least once a month
70% comment on others’ blog posts
61% write at least one product review a month
61% comment on news sites
56% write articles for third-party sites
53% post videos online
50% make contributions to wiki sites
48% share deals found through coupon forums
In essence: What happens on Twitter doesn’t stay on Twitter."

Source:  Data from Exact Target, reported by The Next Web, 18th August 2011

Groupon's quarterly losses trebled Y-o-Y in Q2 2011

"Daily deals juggernaut Groupon managed to significantly slash marketing costs last quarter, but its net loss in the second quarter of this year has almost tripled compared to last year as it hired more than 1,000 new employees, according to an SEC filing published this morning. Basically, the company is still growing like gangbusters but losing money like crazy in the process.
The updated financial details show that Groupon increased revenue from $3.3 million in Q2 2009 to $878 million in the second quarter of 2011, while net income swung from $21,000 for the second quarter of 2009 to a staggering net loss of $102.7 million for the second quarter of 2011.
The reported net loss is in line with the first quarter of 2011 but nearly triple the $36 million loss from Q2 2010. Groupon hired more than 1,000 employees in the 3-month period – growing its sales force to more than 4,800 people – which caused a serious bump in ‘general and administrative expenses’.
In total, Groupon grew from 37 employees as of June 2009 to 9,625 employees as of June 2011."

Source:  SEC filing from Groupon, reported by TechCrunch, 10th August 2011

Only 20% of Groupon subscribers have ever made a purchase

"Here’s the deal:
Groupon had 115.7 million subscribers at the end of June.
Of those subscribers, only about 20 percent — or 23 million — have ever made a purchase. Those are called cumulative customers.
The average subscriber (not customer) spent $18 in the first half of the year, down from $21 last year.
The average customer over the lifetime of a membership has purchased four Groupons, up from three a year ago.
The average revenue per Groupon sold in the first half of the year was $25, up from $23 in the same period 2010.
The number of merchants Groupon worked with in the first half of 2011 increased to 135,247, up from only 12,468 in the first half of 2010.
Converting subscribers into customers will be key for Groupon in order to justify its high marketing costs."

Source:  Figures revealed by Groupon as part of it's Q2 2011 results, reported by AllThingsD, 10th August 2011

82% of American Groupon merchants are unsatisfied with repeat business from coupon users

Satisfied 17%
Unsatisfied 82%
Unsure 1%

Click to enlarge

Source:  Based on 300 telephone interviews by CM Copywriters, 12th July 2011
Note - more stats and charts in the original article

56% of US companies that use daily deals make a profit on the deal

"—The study surveyed 324 businesses across 23 U.S. markets that participated in daily deal promotions between August 2009 and March 2011. 55.5 percent of those businesses reported making money on the deal, 26.6 percent lost money, and 17.9 percent broke even.
[...]
—On average, nearly 80 percent of deal users were new customers for the business, but just 35.9 percent of them spent more than the deal’s face value. 19.9 percent returned to the business to make a full-priced purchase. OpenTable does better with repeat customers: 51.9 percent of OpenTable deal users were new customers, and 30 percent of OpenTable deal users came to the restaurant again.
—21.7 percent of deal buyers never actually redeemed the deals they purchased. On the one hand, that’s a good thing for the business offering the daily deal: Non-redemption makes the deal more profitable for them. On the other hand, when deal buyers don’t redeem the deal, businesses don’t get the exposure they sought in the first place. The report recommends, “To increase the likelihood of a profitable promotion, businesses should consider offering a daily deal of relatively high face value ($50 or more), with a shallow discount (at most 25% off face value), a short redemption period (three months or less), and place a maximum limit on number of deal vouchers that consumers can buy.”"

Source:  Research from Rice University Business School, reported by PaidContent, 14th June 2011

The demographics of US Groupon & LivingSocial users

Click to enlarge

Source:  Data from comScore, reported by Clickz, 13th June 2011
Note - more stats available in the original article