Groupon expands to 6 markets in U.S. and Canada

Group coupon purveyor Groupon is launching its service in six new cities in the U.S. and Canada, the company said Friday.

The concept, which has quickly become a favorite of Internet bargain hunters, combines social media with collective buying clout to offer daily deals on products, services and cultural events in local markets. Promotions are activated only after a certain number of people in a given city sign up.

The Chicago-based company already offers daily deals in more than 230 markets and said Friday it was adding deals in three U.S. cities: Bakersfield, Calif., Charleston, S.C. and Hartford, Conn. It's also expanding in Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario.

Launched in 2008, Groupon makes money by taking a percentage of each "groupon" it sells.

The company operates in 29 countries and has more than 13 million subscribers.