Facebook has launched Places Deals in the UK and across Europe. Users in UK can now check into shops on their mobile phone to get discounts. The launch is across Europe, with the UK being the first to launch. Facebook announced launch of Places Deals in the UK and Europe from a company event in London.
Some retailers including Starbucks, Mazda and Yo Sushi have partnered with Facebook to launch the service.
Users will be able to ‘check in’ their location at shops, bars and restaurants and receive notification of deals and discounts in the area.
There will be four types of check-ins:
* Charity Deals – to help give back to a good cause.
* Individual Deals – retailers can give away items.
* Loyalty Deals – users can build up loyalty points.
* Friend Deals – get rewarded for bringing friends to a location.
Joanna Shields, vice-president of Facebook for Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “For the first time in history we can make these deals at scale, at real time and for free.”
Facebook Deals has already been launched in the US. Gap was one of the first retailers to partner with the site, giving away 10,000 free pairs of jeans.
Facebook places will be competing with other location based deal sites notable among them is Groupon.
The app is currently available only to iOS and Android devices – though all smartphone users can log on through the touch.facebook service.
