Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), one of the leading office products retailers,announced that it has renamed its business-to-business division Staples Business Advantage. The distinctive move reaffirms Staples’ commitment to provide businesses with every advantage they need to succeed.
“The evolving technology landscape, the rise of the mobile workforce and the ever-increasing levels of service expectations are causing businesses around the world to transform and adapt,” said Shira Goodman, president, North American Operations. “To assist them in these endeavors, we are continually innovating, whether it’s introducing new products and services or identifying the need for and developing tools to enable customers to achieve their business goals.”
“While we’re known for our stores and Staples.com, our business to business division is also a leader in its space—assisting businesses of all sizes—from 10 employees to the Fortune 100, with all of their workplace needs,” Goodman added. “Our brand re-launch is about letting customers know that Staples Business Advantage is committed to delivering the products, services and process improvements that give our customers every advantage to succeed.”
Engaging with customers in new ways
Staples Business Advantage also announced the opening of the company’s newest and the largest Workplace Experience Center in Englewood, New Jersey. This 67,000 square feet facility showcases how Staples helps businesses prepare for the rapidly evolving workplace. Through a host of smarter workspace solutions, from high-tech touch-free restrooms to cool cafés and collaborative furniture design, the Workplace Experience Center demonstrates the role workspaces play in linking employees, culture and business strategy together.
Leaders in B2B e-commerce; continually pioneering new ways to shop
The B2B ecommerce market is rapidly evolving. With more than 20 years of experience serving businesses, Staples Business Advantage truly understands the needs of companies of all sizes, across virtually all industry types, and lets customers shop however and whenever they want, through web and mobile applications built especially for them.
Today, the company unveiled Staples Easy System, a breakthrough purchasing platform that gives customers the freedom to order products and services on any device, anywhere, at any time. Staples Easy System, currently in testing, removes the friction from a cumbersome ordering process made up of informal lists, email, verbal requests and written notes for supplies. In addition to the current suite of mobile and eCommerce tools, the Easy System allows any office employee to place an order—using email, text messaging or voice—anytime a product needs to be replenished, regardless of whether they are near a copier or in a breakroom, or outside the office.
The Staples Easy System gets smarter over time, remembering past orders and anticipating customer needs. For example, if customers request “Green Tea”, the Staples Easy System knows precisely which brand or type of green tea is preferred in their office.
Additionally, The Staples Easy System consolidates orders from multiple employees and devices into one shopping cart, making it easy to change quantities, replace brands, delete items and approve the final order. The Easy System also encourages the use of approved vendors, reduces redundant orders and delivers greater budgetary control. As the system evolves, more features will be added, like the ability to order catering or flowers, or track order status. Staples Business Advantage Customers can sign up to test the Easy System at www.staplesinnovation.com/easy.
“Staples Business Advantage is committed to providing the most innovative resources and solutions in the market with the highest level of convenience to customers,” said Neil Ringel, executive vice president, Staples Business Advantage. “With Staples Easy System, ordering will transcend the limitations of apps and browsers, giving customers access to nearly 500,000 products ranging from office and breakroom supplies to furniture and technology products and services, anytime, anywhere and on any device, using the interface that is most convenient to them.”
About Staples Business Advantage
Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), serves organizations of 10 or more employees up to the Fortune 100, helping them make more happen with applied expertise, more products and services, greater cost savings and improved ordering efficiencies. With a state of the art ecommerce site purpose-built for business users, Staples Business Advantage provides its customers, including global businesses, local, state and federal government, healthcare organizations and educational institutions, with a one source solution featuring comprehensive products and services like office supplies, technology, printing, promotional products, furniture and facility supplies, along with a customized level of account support and best-in-class customer service. More information is available at www.staplesadvantage.com.