The Entertainer: Your Passport to Global 2-for-1 Deals

The Entertainer has become the ‘savvy spender’s’ solution: more money saved with less sacrifice on consumer spending. This company started back in Dubai in 2001 and revolutionized the way people dine out, enjoy entertainment, and travel. From free meals with buy-one-get-one-free offers to exclusive hotel deals, this company has spread its wings to 15 countries and has certainly saved millions. But how did this one-time simple voucher book transform into a global phenomenon influencing shopping behaviour throughout the world?

Australian entrepreneur Donna Benton founded The Entertainer in 2001 in Dubai. What began as a straightforward buy-one-get-one-free coupon book evolved into a simple, uncomplicated means of offering massive savings to locals and tourists alike in the thriving UAE city. Donna Benton is from Melbourne. An initiative born of local motivation soon gained much traction because of the number of deals and partnerships The Entertainer could command and offered uniquely for consumers to enjoy their favourite pastimes at a lower cost.

By 2012, The Entertainer was ready for international expansion. Strategic investment from Dubai-based Abraaj Capital catapulted the company into its next phase, taking the leap from print to digital: in 2013, launching its smartphone app. A printed book was not capable of restraining users anymore; now, it was granted access to offers at their fingertips with GPS mapping, advanced search capabilities, and social media integration. The Entertainer became a completely tech-driven company, forcing its way into the digital age and appealing to the global discount hunter.

The offer access for customers was revolutionized by the app, bringing offers straight to mobile phones and increasing the variety of deals available beyond what the printed books could provide. The app covered more than 10,000 merchants in 38 destination-specific products. This app is born in a world dominated by instant access and convenience, and its kind of purpose is to fulfill the needs of the modern consumer to have excellent monthly offers and to link with GPS mapping so that one can find the deals near them. It also has a partnership with platforms such as TripAdvisor and Careem. Its advantage is that users can filter according to specific promotions, such as brunch deals or special occasions, to make the app a dynamic savings tool.

In 2015, the Entertainer application had grown spectacularly: more than 2 million buy-one-get-one-free offers had been redeemed by Dubai users alone, and each customer was saving on average AED 6,000 ($1,600) annually. Needless to say, such success positioned the app as one of the largest global discount providers, which let inhabitants of the whole world enjoy the same level of savings on favourite activities. The Entertainer’s Acquisition and International Scaling: In 2018, the biggest change for The Entertainer came from GFH Financial Group’s collaboration with Al-Futtaim and Al Zarooni Emirates Investments to acquire an 85% stake in the business. This acquisition helped The Entertainer scale its international influence, especially with new partnerships and a boosting of funds that extended the company’s reach into more countries and regions. The Entertainer has rapidly grown to over 40 locations in 15 different countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

It has offices in major global cities such as Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and London, with the mission to further expand its digital footprint and offer users ease of access to world-class offers. Loyalty programs and partnerships with industries such as banking and telecommunications, for example, have ensured that The Entertainer remains relevant in all dimensions of consumer life.

As it grows from just saving money, The Entertainer is light years away from all that. The company has become a lifestyle tool for people and for businesses. A savvy move by the company has been not only saving money for the users but also routing billions of dollars into local economies-an impressive annual $1.3 billion said the company. Whether it’s eating out, weekend gateways, or discovering new leisure attractions, The Entertainer will be just that trusted companion for those looking to make the most of life without breaking the bank.