Groupon expands to 3 markets in US, 3 in Canada

Groupon expands to 6 markets in US and Canada

CHICAGO — Group coupon purveyor Groupon is launching its service in six new cities in the U.S. and Canada, the company said Friday.

The concept, which has quickly become a favorite of Internet bargain hunters, combines social media with collective buying clout to offer daily deals on products, services and cultural events in local markets. Promotions are activated only after a certain number of people in a given city sign up.

The company already offers daily deals in more than 230 markets and said Friday it was adding deals in three U.S. cities: Bakersfield, Calif., Charleston, S.C. and Hartford, Conn. It’s also expanding in Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario.

Launched in 2008, Groupon makes money by taking a percentage of each “groupon” it sells.

The company operates in 29 countries and has more than 13 million subscribers.