Groupon popular with Oprah; won’t comment on possible Google buyout

Groupon popular with Oprah; won’t comment on possible Google buyout
Groupon popular with Oprah; won’t comment on possible Google buyout

Groupon popular with Oprah; won’t comment on possible Google buyout

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Google is said to be in talks to acquire Chicago-based Groupon. The Wall Street Journal reports Google is willing to pay more than $3 billion for Groupon, the web site known for daily coupons at local businesses. That reportedly beats an offer from Yahoo, which is also said to be interested in the company.

But Groupon’s spokeswoman Julie Mossler dismisses the report. “The truth is that it’s just speculation right now,” Mossler said. “There’s not really anything going on worth mentioning.”

Google won’t comment on the report.

Groupon is riding a wave of success since it was created in 2008.

Larry Witt is an analyst with Morningstar. He says it makes strategic sense for Google to eye Groupon. “Groupon is the clear leader in the area so far in terms of the brand that it has, the distribution so far and the number of employees they have on the ground,” Witt said.

Groupon had problems just staying online Friday after it was mentioned on Oprah Winfrey’s annual “favorite things” episode.