Groupon has acquired three local competitors in three countries - SoSasta, Groupoer and Twangoo - and subsequently announced the launch of Groupon India, Groupon Israel and Groupon South Africa.
Groupon has raised $950 million in a recent round of financing, and it's obvious where a good part of that money will go: toward international expansion through local acquisitions.
Groupon's business model is fairly easy to replicate, but maintaining relationships with merchants all around the world, especially small and middle-sized ones, takes time and effort. Groupon's strategy is obviously to expand on its own but at the same time acquire smaller competitors that already have an established customer base.