Priceline names its own challenges as discounting and mobile competition heat up


Skift Take

Priceline has stated for months that its growth rates would inevitably decline given the size of its business, and Expedia is apparently making some gains, too -- at least domestically.
A couple of years ago travel companies were talking about growing, but still-minimal, booking volumes generated through mobile devices, but today the game is on. In Priceline's second quarter earnings announcement August 7, CEO Jeffery Boyd said the company's Name Your Own Price bidding service was impacted by stingy supply from airlines and rental car companies, increased competition from discounters [such as Hotwire], and "a more challenging user experience from mobile devices often used for last-minute bookings." Les