I've thought that Groupon is important because it has created a new online sales niche. Creating new niches is extremely rare. This seems almost too simple to

I've thought that Groupon is important because it has created a new online sales niche. Creating new niches is extremely rare. This seems almost too simple to be correct. However, Groupon has created a niche / vertical / category that enables local deals to be promoted to the masses in a new and interesting way online.