Market research firm BIA/Kelsey predicts that demand from U.S. consumers for online deals will boost the market to $3.6 billion by the end of this year. If so, the online deal market — including daily deals, instant deals and flash sales from the likes of Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) and Living Social — will grow nearly 87% compared to 2011.
The research indicates that spending on online deals will grow by an additional 23% in 2013 and may reach $5.5 billion by the end of 2016. Bigger players with access to particular targeting data, such as American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC), Google Inc.(NASDAQ: GOOG) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) might become increasingly involved in the space.
In separate research, BIA/Kelsey found that more than one-quarter of small businesses surveyed said they were either “very likely” or “extremely likely” to participate in an online deal in the next six months. Nearly a quarter more said they are “somewhat likely” to do so. So more than half of the small businesses surveyed had a favorable view of online deals. The research suggests that online deals may become the status quo for small businesses that do not otherwise advertise online.
Travel Cards Are Getting Too Good To Ignore
Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops, with the issuers are offering insane travel rewards and perks.
We’re talking huge sign-up bonuses, points on every purchase, and benefits like lounge access, travel credits, and free hotel nights. For travelers, these rewards can add up to thousands of dollars in flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences every year.
It’s like getting paid to travel — and it’s available to qualified borrowers who know where to look.
We’ve rounded up some of the best travel credit cards on the market. Click here to see the list. Don’t miss these offers — they won’t be this good forever.
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