GrabOne is making a comeback under Kiwi ownership, returning to the market with a reset that puts local experiences and activities back at the centre of the brand.
GrabOne relaunches under new Wellington owners
Wellington-based Paradigm Group has purchased the GrabOne brand and assets, bringing the deals platform back to local ownership after its previous operator, Global Retail Marketplace, went into liquidation.
The relaunched site goes live on Tuesday, offering discount vouchers tied to local businesses. Paradigm says it already has 30 businesses signed up for launch, aiming to rebuild the platform as a discovery marketplace where customers can find new places to eat, explore and experience.
What happened to GrabOne last year
GrabOne’s prior operator, Global Retail Marketplace, entered liquidation in October, with liquidators pointing to funding constraints as the key reason the business could no longer continue. The shutdown left many customers holding vouchers they could not use, although some merchants chose to honour deals independently.
Important note: The new GrabOne operation says it cannot honour vouchers issued under the previous owners. Customers with questions are encouraged to pursue available options such as chargebacks where applicable.
Paradigm says it is rebuilding, not just restarting
Paradigm Group chief executive Jonty Hodge said the liquidation was more than a platform closing, arguing that merchants lost a channel that had been working and that over 350,000 Kiwis lost an easy way to discover nearby offers.
Hodge said the relaunch is intended to restore value for both sides of the marketplace, with a sharper focus on escapes, experiences and activities. The business is placing the product-heavy side of the old model on pause for now, with the option to revisit later through a more local lens.
Fresh leadership and a tighter focus
Paul Raeburn, who was involved with GrabOne in its earlier years, is heading the new operation. He described the return as a reset designed for quality and long-term value, rather than nostalgia, after merchants made clear there were parts of the prior version that weren’t working.
Merchants say the platform mattered
Some hospitality operators say GrabOne had real commercial impact. Dockside Restaurant and Bar in Wellington said it generated more than $6 million in sales through GrabOne over time, and described the earlier shutdown as a blow during a tough trading environment.
Backers of the relaunch say the rebuilt platform will prioritise helping businesses reach new customers and turn first-time visitors into regulars, while giving consumers a simpler way to find local deals again.
Reporting reference: Details of the relaunch and statements from the new owners were reported by RNZ’s business coverage of the GrabOne relaunch.
