Global code for daily deal sites

The Global Daily Deal Association (GDDA), the first trade organisation for the daily deal sector, has created the industry’s first global Code of Conduct.

The association says the voluntary code aims to standardise practices across the industry and enhance accountability and sustainability.

“The code will help improve the reputation of the daily deal industry with both consumers and merchants,” said Stavros Prodromou, CEO of the GDDA.

The code addresses issues of privacy, misleading or deceptive conduct, complaints, refunds and credits – all issues that have shaped negative perceptions of the industry in the past.

Businesses who sign up to the Code of Conduct will be involved in its continued development and will work with the GDDA to shape the practices and future of the industry. 

“The GDDA has spent a great deal of time producing a Code of Conduct that is suitable and relevant to the industry. The sector has previously been affected by a lack of merchant and consumer confidence. The code is the first step toward improving the sector’s reputation,” said Prodromou.

“By signing up to the Code of Conduct, businesses are making a commitment to the future of this industry; the GDDA and Code of Conduct are crucial to the sustainability and credibility of the daily deal industry.”

The code promotes fair, honest and ethical best practice within the industry by ensuring:

  • Consumers have access to detailed product and service information in order to make an informed decision.
  • Communication from providers to merchants and/or consumers is clear and accurate.
  • Appropriate policies and procedures are in place and clearly displayed on the website.
  • The provider has an effective procedure for handling complaints and an easy to understand refund policy.

Already signed up to the GDDA and the Code of Conduct in the UK are DiscountVouchers.co.uk, Time Out Offers, MumsandMe and DealCollector. Across Europe Dailydeal.de, Sweetdeal and Bownty have signed up.

“At DiscountVouchers.co.uk we are committed to building honest relationships with our consumers and merchants. The Code of Conduct underlines our aim to always engage in responsible and fair communication with our consumers. We see GDDA membership as a way to show consumers our dependability as a daily deal provider and I’m looking forward to working with the GDDA to improve the industry’s reputation and sustainability,” says Gerard Doyle, CEO of DiscountVouchers.co.uk.

The voluntary code is the first task for the GDDA, which was formed following huge demand at the DD Summit Europe in March this year. The association will also coordinate conferences, hold networking events and produce industry research for the sector.

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