GoNabit group-buying website set to pioneer e-commerce in Lebanon

GoNabit, the Middle East international group-buying website, has launched its daily deal website in Beirut. Catering to a city renowned for its discerning shoppers, Beirutians can now enjoy and discover their city like never before. Bringing one of the web’s fast growing retail phenomena to Lebanon, GoNabit sources discounted daily deals from local businesses to be sold to its subscribers within a limited period of time.

As the original daily deal website in the Middle East and the first group-buying company in the world to offer its web content in Arabic, GoNabit brings a tried, tested and loved online shopping experience to Beirut consumers. Following its recent success as the established specialist in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, the company chose Beirut as the next city in a phased roll out of GoNabit across the region. Plans are also afoot to launch in seven other cities before the end of the year.

Although e-commerce in Lebanon is in its infancy, GoNabit says strong credit card penetration coupled with improvements in ICT infrastructure make it an attractive market for its online retail offering. With the concept of discovery and enjoying great social experiences at its core, GoNabit is catering to both residents and visitors of Beirut looking to get the most out of the best variety in experiences that the city has to offer.

“We believe the timing is right and the foundations are in place to develop e-commerce in Lebanon. People in Beirut are savvy consumers, credit card usage is growing and Internet access is improving; but there are few options available for transacting online. We plan to change that with GoNabit,” said Dan Stuart, CEO and Co-founder of GoNabit.

How does it work?
Buyers subscribe for free to GoNabit and receive a daily email offering them something cool to do in Beirut with a discount of between 50-90%. Deals range from massages and beauty products to dining experiences and outdoor adventures.

To successfully “nab” the deal, it must first tip – the point at which a minimum agreed number of purchasers opts into buying the deal. Once the tipping point is achieved and the deal goes live, any GoNabit subscriber can purchase it. But it is for a limited time only – the deal is available for 48 hours, or 72 hours for Friday’s deal which extends over the weekend.

In this way GoNabit encourages customers to share daily deals with friends via email, Facebook or Twitter, plan joint activities and take advantage of the low prices together. Customers that refer friends are also rewarded. Registered users to the website earn store credit every time a new buyer uses their personalized referral link to make their first purchase on GoNabit.

Purchases are made securely online by credit card via a local payment gateway established by Bank Audi and GoNabit customers are only charged only if the deal tips. Interested buyers can also pay via bank transfer or direct payment at the local GoNabit office Downtown.

“The days of not telling someone about an incredible sales promotion for fear of missing out are over. GoNabit is a new way for Beirut consumers to use strength in numbers to get great discounts while discovering fun things to see, eat and do in their city,” explained Stuart.

Successful transactions on GoNabit receive an e-voucher for the product or service to be redeemed directly with the merchant within an agreed time frame, normally four to six months. They can even elect to purchase the deal as a gift for someone else – a boon for last minute gift giving.

“GoNabit is all about discovering great experiences for our subscribers – be it a hidden gem, or a trusted favourite, our nabbers are offered an array of remarkable options. The time is now for residents of Beirut to enjoy the benefits of group buying. We created GoNabit.com to be a pioneering, safe, secure, online group buying platform for the region that helps people come together, save and discover locally,” added Stuart.

GoNabit has enjoyed huge success in the UAE to date, saving consumers who buy via its Dubai and Abu Dhabi sites a big amount of money in its first few months of operation.

So, Beirut shoppers, what are you waiting for? Subscribe to GoNabit today to discover a world of online savings and offline fun.