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Groupon Goods chief leaves for Staples [Chicago Tribune](Chicago Tribune (IL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 07--The executive who ran Groupon's Goods business has left the Chicago-based company for a new role at office products retailer Staples. The Framingham, Mass.-based company said Tuesday that Faisal Masud will take over as executive vice president of global e-commerce May 20. His job at Staples is a new position that will oversee online sales growth, including the compan's website and mobile platform. Masud was previously vice president and general manager in charge of Groupon Goods, which offers discounts on physical products. Groupon launched its Goods category in September 2011 as a new source of revenue, selling items such as jewelry, consumer electronics and housewares. Unlike its core daily deals business, in which the company serves as a middleman between consumers and local merchants, Groupon Goods is structured so Groupon controls most of the inventory and sells the products directly to subscribers. As head of Groupon Goods, Masud oversaw operations in more than 35 countries, Staples said. Before joining Groupon, Masud was head of global shipping and cross-border trade at eBay. He also worked at Amazon. Groupon has hired many executives from eBay and Amazon, tapping their expertise in e-commerce as it makes forays into areas beyond daily deals. [email protected] -- Twitter @VelocityWong ___ (c)2013 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |