Staples (Canada)
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| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Richmond Hill, Ontario |
| Key people | Steve Matyas, President |
| Products | Technology (Computers/Business Machines/Entertainment), Furniture, Office Supplies, Copy and Print Services, Tech Services |
| Revenue | $13 billion US, Staples Inc. |
| Employees | 15,000+ |
| Parent | Staples Inc. |
| Website | http://www.staples.ca |
Staples, known in Quebec as Bureau en Gros, is a Canadian office supply retail chain, part of the United States-based office supply company Staples Inc. The Canadian operation is headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Staples remains one of the most profitable office supply chains in Canada, with larger share than its main rivals Grand & Toy and Office Depot. It is the largest supplier of office supplies to small business and home office individuals[1], either in store, online or by catalogue, with over 300 stores and five delivery centres.
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[edit] History
The Business Depot Ltd. was originally founded by Jack Bingleman in 1991, with Staples as a substantial investor, opening "Business Depot" stores in Ontario and later Atlantic Canada and "Bureau en Gros" locations in Quebec. The American counterpart eventually acquired 100% of the Canadian company in 1994. Around this time, the company began to open stores in western Canada under the "Staples: The Office Superstore" label, like their U.S. counterparts.
The company later began converting locations in English-speaking markets to a combined brand, initially tested as "Staples: The Business Depot" and later rolled out as "Staples Business Depot". This conversion was completed in 2001, with Quebec locations retaining "Bureau en Gros".
In 2008, the company began shortening its brand to "Staples" in English Canada – to avoid confusion with rival Office Depot, to provide more continuity with their stores in the U.S. and overseas, and reduce costs associated with Staples Brand merchandise packaging that was made specifically for Canada. This change was "soft launched"; Staples will update the logo as the company reorders supplies which will significantly reduce costs associated with a brand change, and most existing locations retain the full "Staples Business Depot" signage. The Business Depot Ltd. remains the legal name of the main Canadian subsidiary.
In 2008, Staples, Inc. acquired Corporate Express which will be running under the banner Staples Advantage, running alongside the other Canadian business delivery units Staples Business Delivery and Staples Industrial.
[edit] Services
Staples Canada stores maintain their own private-label brand under the name "Staples".
Stores offers a wide range of office supplies, and has its departments divided into the following categories: Furniture, featuring chairs, office desks, cabinets, banquet tables and accessories; Copy and Print Centre, offering full- and self-serve black and white an d colour photocopying/printing, binding, booklet making, lamination, customer printing (business cards, letterheads, envelopes to name a few), Purolator shipping centre, and other document services; Technology, featuring printers, laptop and desktop computers, projectors, and other technology products such as calculators and cash registers; and Office Supplies, or "Aisles," encompassing pens, papers, folders, envelopes, binders and other basic office supply products. Some of the larger stores also feature 24-hour copy centre services, and all stores feature in-store and on-site technical services for computers, named Staples EasyTech. Staples EasyTech also provides warranty repairs as well as in-home/office setups.
Staples also offers Extended Service Plan and Furniture Protection Plan. The Extended Service Plan is available on most electronics, offering replacements on items under $249.99 CAD, and repairs for items $250 and over including computers, laptops and a one-time Laptop Accidental Damage Plan. The Furniture Protection Plan is available on all furniture pieces, when your furniture item needs repair, there will be someone who comes to your home/office with the proper parts to make necessary repairs. The Furniture Protection Plan and the Laptop Accidental Damage Plan begins its protection the moment the item is purchased, whereas the Extended Service Plan does not start until after the manufacturer's warranty (for up to 3 years).
[edit] Loyalty programs
Staples Offers two rewards programs, the Dividend$ card and an easyRewards MasterCard (issued by Citi Cards Canada).
