UPDATE: Groupon Reports Launch of Gnome

Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) today announced Gnome, a new tablet-based platformthat will provide sophisticated tools to local merchants to run theirbusinesses more effectively and understand their customers better. The tabletwill let merchants instantly recognize their Groupon customers as they entertheir business, seamlessly redeem Groupons and save time and money with asimple point of-sale system and credit card payment processing service. Gnomewill soon integrate with popular accounting software programs such asQuickBooks and Xero and offer a suite of customer relationship managementtools, including the ability to customize marketing campaigns based onpurchase history, share customer feedback via social media and respond tocustomer inquiries or comments.Groupon's Gnome (www.groupon.com/gnome) is a tablet-based platform that willfundamentally change th ...Groupon's Gnome (www.groupon.com/gnome) is a tablet-based platform that willfundamentally change the way consumers redeem Groupons and how merchants runtheir business and interact with their customers (Photo: Business Wire)“Gnome is an amazing piece of technology that plugs our merchants into the Weband helps them form relationships with every customer that walks in theirfront door,” said Eric Lefkofsky, CEO. “When it's complete, Gnome will serveas an operating system for merchants to run their entire operation and enablethem to create real-time promotions that bring customers into their businesswhen they need them the most.”“Gnome is an important step towards our long-term mission of creating a worldwhere merchants are constantly connected to the Groupon local commerceplatform,” Lefkofsky added.Gnome is already in market, and will roll out to tens of thousands ofmerchants in the coming months.Highlights of Gnome will include: * Bluetooth Groupon Redemption – Automatically redeem Groupons using Bluetooth technology or search for customers by name, Groupon barcode or voucher number. Customers no longer have to present a printed voucher or even show their mobile device. * All-in-one Cash Register – Everything local businesses need to operate more efficiently and deliver outstanding customer service—log cash transactions, accept credit and debit card payments, print or email receipts, calculate multiple tax rates, manage menu items, view transaction history and issue refunds. * Customer Relationship Management – Customize marketing campaigns using customer purchase history and preferences. Gnome also lets merchants share customer feedback via Facebook and Twitter and enables one-click email response to solve customer service issues as they happen. * Accounting Software Integration – Gnome integrates with popular accounting software programs Quickbooks and Xero, providing merchants with a convenient and hassle-free way to upload their sales data for bookkeeping and taxes. * Simple, Customizable Point of Sale – Gnome comes with preloaded menus and inventory lists for the most popular types of local businesses, enabling merchants to start running their systems within minutes; merchants can also add, scroll and search thousands of menu items.Additionally, Gnome will come with 24/7 live support and a payments servicewith competitive rates on credit card processing fees––backed by a low-priceguarantee to save merchants money.Groupon will continue to evolve and expand Gnome's capabilities to enablemerchants to connect even further with its vast mobile and online user baseand suite of merchant solutions.For more information about Gnome, please visit www.groupon.com/gnome.