LivingSocial follows Groupon, adds a product shop

No longer just a daily voucher service, LivingSocial adds flash sales component

LivingSocial is expanding its discounted voucher system to include a new shopping option where items are delivered right then, to your door. This LivingSocial Shop, launched on Tuesday, has been a beta experiment in Cincinnati for several weeks and brought in nearly $40,000 with just 15 products, according to research from Yipit Data. If those numbers are accurate, it could mean that the new shopping opportunity would become a $200 million annual business extension very soon.

Between the Groupon expansion to buying good directly through the website, and flash sales sites like One Kings Lane and Fab, there is a great demand for email services offering deals on retail items.

The Washington, D.C.-based business, which is owned partially by Amazon, says that unlike the products that Groupon sells, it will be selling items grouped by themes rather than opening it up to anything, any time. I would expect some beach themes, Midsummer nights, back to school and BBQ items to be the first themes used.

"LivingSocial inspires our members to get out, discover new things, and truly experience life," said Emily King, director of LivingSocial Shop, in a statement. "LivingSocial Shop is an extension of that idea: We'll offer curated merchandise, all tied together by a theme. Our collections are organized so that members can buy one item, two items, or opt in for the entire experience."

As the second-largest daily deal company, LivingSocial is striving to stay on top of the industry that has been picked away at by other social media apps and flash sales sites.

Much like flash sales sites, LivingSocial Shop sales will run for seven days or until they sell out, the company stated.

"LivingSocial Shop's products run the gamut, from the practical must-haves to more aspirational want-to-haves," said King. "We curate the pieces ourselves to ensure we're showcasing the best of the best to our members. We're excited to share our inaugural batch of LivingSocial Shop merchandise and believe our pieces will help people make great memories."

LivingSocial members will be introduced to LivingSocial Shop via email and can choose  to get updates via a daily email blast or through apps for iPhone and Android devices.