From the Huffington Post:
Though Groupon, the king of the daily deal business, saw its value skyrocket to nearly $19 billion following its initial public offering Friday, the company continues to be dogged by doubts over the sustainability of its business model and its vulnerability to scores of hungry competitors.
Analysts can rattle off a slew of challenges facing the company -- the low barriers to entry, the millions it spends on marketing, the threat of deal fatigue and the dissatisfaction of many merchants who've offered Groupon promotions -- but they have trouble pinpointing the company's advantages and see little to set it apart.
Since its launch in 2008, Groupon has spawned hundreds of clones ranging from Gaypon, the "gay Groupon," to Google Offers and Amazon.com's AmazonLocal.
Groupon, often mentioned as evidence of a growing tech bubble, hasn't been able to shake the stigma that nothing, except its size, makes it special. Conway will get to the bottom of Groupon on Monday.
Read more HERE
