SINGAPORE: Groupon Singapore has announced the launch of a new concept store in the city-state in an effort to gauge whether such an idea would be successful. It is a strange move for the online deal website, but could help boost the company's presence in Singapore and across Asia. According to CNET Asia, the store has “three computer terminals, as well as a handful of Apple iPads, for customers to browse, buy and print deals on the spot. However, only physical goods can be redeemed at the store in the Suntec City Mall.” Groupon CEO Karl Chong told CNET Asia that “Groupon will remain an online platform, both on your desktops and your smartphones. The strategy behind setting up the Groupon shop speaks to the huge priority we place on delivering convenience to our customers.” Many observers are questioning the move in Singapore, arguing that with the highest per-capita smartphone penetration globally, the move could detract from Groupon's base, which is the online sales market. Singapore has 90 percent penetration, whereas the United States is tied for sixteenth place at thirty-five percent with Portugal, Ireland and Greece. But the move is likely to be pushed through, and the future of Groupon's expansion into on-the-ground stores could depend largely on its success in Singapore.
