RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is a leading e-commerce company that provides online coupons and cash back offers to customers, partnering with over 15,000 retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay. Founded in 2006 by Cotter Cunningham and Joshua Scott Jones, the company has grown to become one of the largest coupon websites in the world, with operations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. RetailMeNot has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States by Inc. (magazine), and has received numerous awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award, presented by Ernst & Young.

● History

The company was founded in 2006 by Cotter Cunningham and Joshua Scott Jones in Austin, Texas, with the goal of providing customers with a comprehensive platform for finding and using online coupons and discount codes. In its early years, the company experienced rapid growth, driven by the increasing popularity of e-commerce and the demand for online coupons. In 2010, the company raised $15 million in funding from investors, including Google Ventures and Institutional Venture Partners, which helped to further accelerate its growth. By 2013, the company had grown to over 100 employees and had established partnerships with over 10,000 retailers, including Best Buy, Home Depot, and Kohl's.

● Business_model

The company's business model is based on providing customers with access to a wide range of online coupons and cash back offers, which are sourced from over 15,000 retailers, including Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney. The company generates revenue through a combination of affiliate marketing and display advertising, working with major advertising agencies such as Omnicom Group and WPP plc. RetailMeNot also offers a range of tools and services to help retailers manage their coupon campaigns and track the effectiveness of their marketing efforts, including data analytics and customer insights provided by comScore and Nielsen Holdings.

● Features_and_services

The company offers a range of features and services to customers, including a coupon search engine that allows users to search for coupons by retailer, product category, or keyword. The company also offers a browser extension that alerts users to available coupons and cash back offers when they visit a retailer's website, using technology provided by Mozilla and Google Chrome. Additionally, RetailMeNot offers a range of mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, which allow users to access coupons and cash back offers on-the-go, using location-based services provided by Apple Inc. and Google Maps.

● Revenue_model

The company generates revenue through a combination of affiliate marketing and display advertising, working with major advertising agencies such as Interpublic Group and Dentsu. RetailMeNot earns a commission on sales generated through its affiliate marketing program, which is powered by Commission Junction and LinkShare. The company also generates revenue through the sale of display advertising on its website and mobile apps, using ad serving technology provided by DoubleClick and OpenX.

● Controversies_and_criticisms

The company has faced criticism from some retailers and consumers who have raised concerns about the impact of coupon abuse on the retail industry, with some retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond and TJX Companies opting out of the company's coupon program. RetailMeNot has also faced competition from other coupon websites, such as Coupons.com and Groupon, which have challenged the company's market share, with Groupon partnering with LivingSocial and Amazon Local to expand its offerings. In response to these challenges, the company has implemented a range of measures to prevent coupon abuse and ensure the integrity of its coupon program, working with law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and National Retail Federation.

● Acquisitions_and_partnerships

The company has made several acquisitions and partnerships in recent years, including the acquisition of GiftCardZen in 2013, which expanded the company's offerings in the gift card market, with GiftCardZen partnering with Raise (company) and Cardpool. RetailMeNot has also partnered with major payment processors such as PayPal and Visa Inc. to offer cash back rewards to customers, using payment processing technology provided by Mastercard and American Express. In 2015, the company was acquired by Harland Clarke Holdings, a leading provider of payment solutions and marketing services, which has helped to further expand the company's offerings and capabilities, with Harland Clarke Holdings partnering with Fiserv and First Data to enhance its payment processing capabilities.