staples com

November 17, 2025

What is Staples.com

Staples.com is the e-commerce arm of Staples, Inc., an office supply retailer. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, Staples has built a business supplying office products, furniture, technology and related services. (Staples.com)
On its “About Us” page, Staples describes its three businesses:

“Staples Business” (enterprise/B2B accounts)
“Staples.com” (the site allowing any customer to order products online)
“Staples Retail” (brick-and-mortar stores) (Staples.com)
So Staples.com is positioned for individual customers and small business customers who want an online shopping experience, not necessarily the full enterprise contract business.

Key features and offerings

Here are some of the notable features of Staples.com and the broader Staples ecosystem:

Large product assortment: On its web pages, Staples lists thousands of office-supply, tech, furniture, cleaning & facility items, etc. (Staples.com)
Next-day delivery: Staples reports that “next-day delivery to over 98% of the U.S.” is available for its business account customers. (Staples.com)
Integration and services: For smaller businesses, Staples.com offers tools to manage spending, digital account tools, links into purchasing platforms (especially via its business unit). (Staples.com)
Omnichannel/retail complement: Although Staples.com is online, the company still supports retail stores (900+ in the US according to their site) and integrated services (printing, shipping, etc). (Staples.com)
Focus on workspace / work-life products: The company emphasises helping customers “get the job done right wherever they work.” (Staples.com)

In short — Staples.com is not just a generic e-commerce site but part of a larger ecosystem of office-supply and workspace solutions.

Competitive advantages

Here are some of the strengths Staples.com / Staples brings:

Brand recognition: Staples has been around for decades, so there’s trust and familiarity.
Broad product range: Because the company serves different market segments (office supplies, tech, furniture, facility maintenance), customers can one-stop many needs.
Service infrastructure: The online side benefits from fulfilment centres and physical stores for pickups, returns, service. For example, the site claims 20+ fulfilment centres in the U.S. to support timely delivery. (Staples.com)
Business-customer capabilities: For those who want more than just consumer‐level ordering, Staples offers business accounts, integration with purchasing platforms, which gives it an edge over pure consumer e-commerce sites.
Sustainability and CSR focus: The company highlights efforts such as reducing carbon emissions, increasing eco-friendly products (12,000+ with eco features) and packaging waste reduction. (Staples.com)

These give Staples.com a credible value proposition for businesses and individuals alike.

Challenges and weak spots

No company is without hurdles, and Staples has several:

Retail pressure & online competition: The office-supply category has been under pressure for years from generalists (big box stores, Amazon) and changing work behaviours. Indeed, Staples at one point shut many stores and pivoted its business model. (Wikipedia)
Online price dynamics: Past reporting found Staples engaged in online price discrimination (showing higher prices in less competitive areas) which raises reputational risks. (Wikipedia)
Supply-chain / operational complexity: Serving both retail, B2B and e-commerce channels means balancing inventory, fulfilment, returns etc. Mistakes in one facet can hurt the whole brand.
Cyber-security risks: The company has faced data-breach incidents in prior years (e.g., payment‐card data access at 115 stores) which underscores risk in retail operations tied to e-commerce. (Wikipedia)
Changing work patterns: As more businesses adopt remote or hybrid work, the traditional “office supply” model may need adaptation. Staples.com must keep up with changing customer expectations (home-office, hybrid furniture, tech services etc).

How to use Staples.com smartly

If you're shopping via Staples.com (either for your business or personal use), here are some practical tips:

Compare price + services: Because Staples offers delivery options, business accounts, discounted shipping etc — check whether the deal includes those vs a competitor.
Take advantage of business account features: If you’re buying regularly for a business, the “Staples Business” account tools (digital account tools, integrated purchasing) may yield savings or simplify administration. (Staples.com)
Use click-and-collect / store pickup if available: If a local store exists, you might save on shipping or get faster pickup.
Consider the full ecosystem: Beyond just buying a chair or a printer, Staples offers installation, tech support, facility maintenance supplies — so if your purchase is part of a bigger project, see if bundling helps.
Keep sustainability in mind: If you’re sourcing for business or institution, Staples’ eco-feature product line may help meet organisational goals.
Monitor promotional offers and rewards: The website mentions exclusive offers via email/text sign-up and deals. (Staples.com)

What’s the outlook / what to watch

Here’s what to keep an eye on for Staples.com as the business evolves:

Further shift to digital/online: Staples appears to be emphasising its online channel more (and reducing reliance on large number of physical stores). Observing how fast that shift happens is key.
Service expansion: The company might further build out tech services, workspace design, remote-work support, as offices evolve.
Supply-chain optimisation: Given competitive pressures, ability to deliver fast, manage returns, offer business customers seamless tools will matter.
Sustainability & ESG: As more customers (especially business customers) care about sustainability, Staples.com can leverage its eco-range and responsible operations.
Competitive landscape: Big players (Amazon, general office/tech retailers) remain threats; Staples may need to differentiate on value-added services rather than just product breadth.
Innovation in format: There are hints of new store-concepts (podcast studios, co-working elements) in some markets per sources. (Wikipedia)
Cyber-security & data handling: Given past incidents, trust and security remain important for online buyers.

Key takeaways

Staples.com is the online channel of a well-established office-supply business, with offerings for both consumers and small/medium business customers.
Its strengths include wide product range, service integration, business account tools, and fulfilment infrastructure.
It faces challenges from online competition, changing work norms, and operational complexity.
For users: it’s worth comparing its full offering (price + delivery + service) rather than just picking the cheapest item.
For the business: success likely depends on shifting further to digital, delivering services (not just products), and staying competitive in a changing workspace market.

FAQ

Q: Is Staples.com only for office customers or can individuals use it?
A: Individuals can shop at Staples.com. While there are specialized business tools and accounts, the site is open to any customer and is positioned for small businesses and individual buyers as well. (Staples.com)

Q: Does Staples.com offer next-day delivery?
A: Yes — the company states that for its business account segment, next-day delivery is available to more than 98% of the U.S. population. (Staples.com) Keep in mind: specific items, shipping zones and order cut-offs will affect availability.

Q: How does Staples.com relate to the physical stores?
A: Staples.com is the online shopping portal of the parent corporation. The corporation also operates hundreds of physical retail stores in the U.S. and Canada. The online and physical channels are integrated: you can locate stores, pickup items, use services like print/ship in stores. (Staples.com)

Q: Are there business-only features on Staples.com?
A: Yes. For business customers, there are “Staples Business” accounts offering everyday low pricing, digital account tools, integration with purchasing platforms etc. (Staples.com)

Q: What are the key risks if I rely on Staples.com for my business procurement?
A: Some of the risks include: being out-priced by pure-play e-commerce competitors, possible delays or supply issues (especially for large or bulky items), the broader office-supply market contracting/transforming (due to more remote work), and ensuring you use the best account/contract terms rather than retail level pricing.