Amazon ends consumer-facing service

Amazon.com is famous for launching new services and solutions at a dizzying rate, but the online retail giant is quietly preparing to close one down.



In an announcement posted on the Amazon Local daily deals site, the retailer says it will stop deals on the site and app as of Dec. 18. Amazon Local will continue business as normal until that date. Amazon Local purchase vouchers will remain valid for five years from purchase date as required by law in all 50 states.



Deals offered on the main Amazon site, such as Deal of the Day and Kindle Daily Deals, will continue unaffected.



Other daily deals sites have also been hitting hard times lately. LivingSocial, which Amazon partially owns, recently laid off 200 employees. In September, Groupon laid off 1,100 employees and said it would end its business in some foreign countries.