BIA/Kelsey Revises Deals Forecast Upward Slightly, Due to More Entrants, Rapid Market Expansion and Growing Consumer Adoption

CHANTILLY, Va., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BIA/Kelsey, adviser to companies in the local media industry, today released an update of its U.S. deals forecast, first issued in March. The firm expects U.S. consumer spending on deals (including daily deals, instant deals and flash sales) will grow from $873 million in 2010 to $4.2 billion in 2015, representing a 36.7 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). In March the firm had pegged 2015 deals spending at $3.9 billion, with a 35.1 percent CAGR.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110616/NE20926LOGO )

Compared with the earlier forecast, this update indicates only a slight increase overall by 2015. However, revenues for 2011 have been revised upward significantly to $2 billion from the $1.2 billion originally estimated in March.

"Even as more consumers sign up for deals programs and awareness grows and new markets are entered, we see a ceiling on how many deals consumers will buy, and their overall interest level in deals," said Mark Fratrik, BIA/Kelsey vice president and chief economist. "With that said, a strong foundation has already been created in the promotional ecosystem of this young industry. We believe daily deals reinforce other advertising and that related services, like instant deals and flash sales, will significantly boost income for key players."

Among the factors underlying this revised forecast are:

• A bigger increase in the number of registrants for deals services. Market leaders Groupon and LivingSocial have expanded quickly and many more participants have entered this arena, including vertical sites and local media companies (either in cooperation with Groupon and LivingSocial or through white-label firms).
• Growth in the number of registered users who are "active" (e.g., buying coupons).
• Greater specialization of deals sites (both vertically and by neighborhood), better targeting capabilities and continued marketing of these services will lead to more activity by registered users.
• Increase in the average number of transactions, resulting from more efficient providers of these services and expansion of the types of products and services being offered (e.g., more travel deals).
• Rise in the average price per transaction, owing to general inflation and the attempt by some providers to offer more valued services at higher margins.

Groupon and LivingSocial continue to lead a growing marketplace of 600-plus players, which include destination sites, white-label providers working with local media such as directory companies, newspapers, and radio and television operators; vertical players; mobile/location-based providers; flash sales sites; exchanges; and aggregators.

"It's worth noting that the deals market continues to grow, despite the recent departure of Facebook and others that may not have been well-equipped to invest the time and money necessary to participate in such a crowded market," said Peter Krasilovsky, vice president and program director, Marketplaces, BIA/Kelsey. "We expect to see local media companies leverage their existing promotional, sales and other local assets to play a significant role in this industry, alongside today's deals leaders Groupon and LivingSocial."

BIA/Kelsey's updated Deals Forecast (2010-2015) is available to clients of the firm's advisory services. For more information on becoming a client, contact Steve Passwaiter at (703) 802-2973 or [email protected].

Deals at DMS '11 and NAB Radio Show

BIA/Kelsey analysts will highlight details from this new forecast at DMS '11: The Small-Business Advertising Summit, Sept. 20-22, Denver. Day 2 of the conference features a session titled, "SMBs and Deals: The Next Wave," which will include SMBs discussing their deals experience. More information about DMS '11, including the complete agenda, list of speakers and companies attending, is available online at www.biakelsey.com/DMS2011.

In addition, BIA/Kelsey's Fratrik will present the forecast to attendees of NAB Radio Show tomorrow during a panel discussion titled, "What's the Real Deal with Daily Deals." His presentation will focus on specific revenue opportunities related to deals for broadcasters in small to midsize markets.

About BIA/Kelsey

BIA/Kelsey advises companies in the local media space through consulting and valuation services, research, Continuous Advisory Services and conferences. Since 1983 BIA/Kelsey has been a resource to the media, mobile advertising, telecommunications, Yellow Pages and electronic directory markets, as well as to government agencies, law firms and investment companies looking to understand trends and revenue drivers. BIA/Kelsey's annual conferences draw executives from across industries seeking expert guidance on how companies are finding innovative ways to grow. Additional information is available at www.biakelsey.com, on the company's Local Media Watch Blog, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BIAKelsey.  

SOURCE BIA/Kelsey