Facebook shopping discount service reaches Britain

Facebook has expanded its shopping discount service to Britain, as part of a push to help brands communicate with its users.

Facebook Deals, which has already started in the United States, offers Facebook users deals in retail outlets and posts a notice on their Facebook wall when they claim a deal, also publicising it to the users' friends.

Initial UK partners include Starbucks, which will offer a free coffee to the first 30,000 customers checking in using Facebook Places, and food chain Yo Sushi.

Facebook Places lets users broadcast their location. By offering Deals, Facebook could entice more people to use the location-based service while opening up new revenue opportunities.

It may also encourage more users to access the social network via their mobile phones.