staples.com
What Staples.com Is and What It Does
Staples.com is the official online store for Staples, Inc., one of the largest office supply retailers in North America. The site is built to help customers find, compare, and buy a wide range of products for work, school, business, and home office needs. It’s not just a product catalog — it’s where Staples integrates its retail offerings with services like printing, business solutions, and delivery options.
The company behind it — Staples, Inc. — was founded in 1986 in Massachusetts as a way to give businesses and consumers easy access to office supplies, from basic paper and pens to larger technology and furniture items. Over the decades, Staples expanded across the United States and Canada, built a strong e-commerce presence, and diversified into services beyond simple retail. Today, Staples.com is central to that online strategy.
What You Can Buy on Staples.com
Staples.com sells a huge variety of products. The inventory reflects what you’d expect from a full-service office supply provider, but what’s worth noting is how broad it really is:
- Office Supplies: paper, pens, notebooks, staplers, clips, binders — the basics businesses reorder regularly.
- Technology & Electronics: computers, monitors, printers, and accessories for both home and corporate environments.
- Furniture & Workspace: desks, office chairs, file cabinets, shelving.
- Breakroom & Facilities: coffee makers, snacks, cleaning supplies, janitorial items.
- Custom & Promotional Products: business cards, custom stamps, branded promotional items.
A notable feature is the Staples-brand selection. These are products designed and branded by Staples itself, like folders, organizers, or desk accessories, often priced competitively against third-party brands.
The site also offers bulk and business purchasing options, where small and medium businesses can find price-scaled deals on large quantities of supplies.
Key Features of the Online Experience
Staples.com tries to make shopping as smooth as possible, with features and services that go beyond just browsing a catalog:
Search and Navigation
The homepage and navigation menus break products down into logical categories — supplies, furniture, technology, printing, and more — so users can find what they need without hunting.
Delivery and Pickup Options
Staples offers next-day delivery on many items if you spend a minimum amount (often around $35). Some products also have in-store or curbside pickup if there’s a physical Staples location nearby.
Printing and Marketing
The site ties into Staples’ Print & Marketing services, where you can upload designs and order custom prints, business cards, posters, and promotional materials. That work can either be shipped or prepared for pickup at a store.
Business Services
This isn’t just retail. Staples.com connects to a suite of business services like notary and shipping assistance at physical store locations, custom packaging options, and solutions like virtual mailing addresses.
Rewards and Deals
Shoppers can sign up for Easy Rewards, Staples’ loyalty program, to earn points on purchases and unlock special deals and offers on the site.
How Staples.com Fits in the Larger Company
Staples.com is part of Staples, Inc.’s broader shift toward e-commerce and business solutions. While the company operates physical stores, its online platform is where much of its growth strategy lies — especially as traditional retail has struggled in some categories.
The business is organized to serve both individual consumers and large business accounts. For example, Staples Advantage is a separate set of services focused on big corporate clients, offering tailored procurement and purchasing programs. But staples.com itself remains the public face for most retail purchasing.
Staples has also worked on expanding its catalog by partnering with trusted suppliers, so customers can order a wider range of brands from one platform while Staples handles fulfillment and customer support.
How People Use Staples.com
Staples.com caters to a diverse group of buyers:
- Small business owners needing office furniture and supplies on a budget.
- Remote workers setting up home offices with tech equipment and ergonomic furniture.
- Students and educators buying notebooks, planners, and stationery.
- Corporate procurement teams placing bulk or recurring orders through business accounts.
- Anyone needing printing or custom business services without specialized software or hardware.
Many customers also rely on Staples.com for quick restocks and last-minute needs thanks to the next-day delivery promise on qualifying orders.
Challenges and the Retail Landscape
Staples, like many large retailers, has faced broader industry challenges. Physical stores have been under pressure as more shopping has shifted online, leading to closures of some brick-and-mortar locations. Recent closures in Pennsylvania highlight this trend, though the online arm continues serving customers.
Even so, Staples.com remains a key part of how the company competes with other e-commerce giants and specialist suppliers. Its combination of products, services, and business tools gives it an edge with certain customers who want more than just basic retail.
Key Takeaways
- Staples.com is the official online store for Staples, Inc., serving consumers and businesses with office supplies, technology, furniture, and more.
- The site combines product shopping with services like printing, custom orders, and rewards programs.
- Staples has a long history as a major office supply retailer, and its online platform is central to its current business strategy.
- Broad product categories and flexible delivery/pickup options make it a convenient choice for many types of buyers.
- The platform isn’t just about retail — it connects to services that help small businesses and corporate clients streamline their work.
FAQ
1. What kinds of products can I buy at Staples.com?
You can buy office supplies, tech gear, furniture, breakroom items, printing and marketing products, and custom business solutions.
2. Does Staples.com offer fast delivery?
Yes. On many qualifying orders — usually over a certain price — Staples offers free next-day delivery.
3. Can I pick up items at a physical store?
Yes, many items purchased on staples.com can be picked up at a nearby Staples retail location.
4. Is Staples.com only for businesses?
No. It serves both individual consumers and business customers. Larger business purchasing is often handled through Staples Advantage.
5. What services besides product sales does Staples.com offer?
Staples.com links to printing services, custom promotional products, rewards programs, and tools for business solutions.
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