Staples Canada

Staples Canada ULC, operating as Staples (Bureau en Gros in Quebec), is a Canadian retail sales company owned by Sycamore Partners. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, it was first established as the Staples-backed The Business Depot in 1991; Staples would acquire the company outright, with its locations later being co-branded as Staples Business Depot.

This article is about the office supply retail chain. For the theory of Canadian economic development, see staples thesis.
Staples Canada ULC
FormerlyThe Business Depot
(1991–1994)
Staples Business Depot
(1994–2008)
TypePrivate
Founded1991 (1991)
FounderJack Bingleman
HeadquartersRichmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Number of locations
302
Key people
David Boone
(CEO)
Evelyn Sutherland
(CFO)
John Defranco
(CCO)
Rachel Huckle
(CRO)
Andrew Go
(CDO)
ProductsTechnology (Computers/Business Machines/Entertainment), Furniture, Office Supplies, Copy and Print Services, Tech Services, School Supplies, Legal Supplies, Facility Supplies
OwnerSycamore Partners
Number of employees
15,000+
Websitestaples.ca
Bureau en Gros logo (2018 to present)

As of 2017, Staples operates independently from Staples' U.S. retail and U.S. business-to-business (B2B) operations.

History

The Business Depot Ltd. was 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 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 its U.S. counterpart.

The company later began converting locations in English-speaking markets to a combined brand, 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 name to "Staples" in English Canada to avoid confusion with rival Office Depot, to provide more commonality with its stores in the U.S. and overseas. This was also done to reduce costs associated with Staples brand merchandise packaging that was made specifically for Canada. In Quebec, products that were previously rebranded Bureau en Gros now remain branded as Staples. This change was "soft launched"; Staples updated the logo as the company reordered supplies to reduce costs associated with a brand change. The subsidiary later converted from a regular corporation to an unlimited liability corporation (ULC).

Over the years, Staples Canada has acquired different companies, such as Chiswick, which introduced industrial products to their selection. They have increased their focus on drop-shipping some products to be able to offer a wider selection of merchandise without needing to increase personal inventory or warehouse space. In 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, which ran under the banner Staples Business Advantage, catering to larger corporations. It has since been rebranded as Staples Professional.

In 2017, Staples was acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $6.9 billion. Under the new owner, Staples Inc. was split into three "independently managed and capitalized" entities; Staples Canada serves as one of these entities, alongside Staples North American Delivery and Staples U.S. Retail.[1][2][3]

In December 2018, Staples Canada unveiled a new logo, and the new slogan "Work. Learn. Grow". The rebranding was accompanied by a new store concept, which first launched in Montreal and at its 375 University Avenue flagship store in Toronto. They feature demo areas with curated selections from various product lines (including pens, paper, journals, and consumer electronics), the "Solution Shop" for print and marketing services, and the latter featuring "Staples Studio" co-working areas and an auditorium-style "Spotlight" theatre (which can be rented for sessions and events).[4][5]

With the new concept, Staples Canada began to position itself as "the working and learning company", [6] with David Boone as the new appointed Chief Executive Officer of Staples Canada in January 2018.[7]

In 2021, the chain launched a new marketing campaign, "Let's Find Out", starring comedian Howie Mandel (in English-speaking markets) and Quebecois radio personality Pierre-Yves Lord (in French) as a "voice of curiosity" to help promote the company's current positioning as "a voice of positivity, optimism and can-do."[8][9]

References
  1. Demery, Paul (2017-08-14). "Break-up plan for Staples: B2B unit stands out". Digital Commerce 360. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  2. "Staples spinning off retail business". Retail Dive. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  3. Gelles, David; Merced, Michael J. de la (2017-06-28). "Staples to Sell for $6.9 Billion, and Its New Owner Has an Uphill Battle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  4. "Staples Canada Launches Innovative Retail Concept Featuring Co-Working Spaces". Retail Insider. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  5. "Staples Rebrands and Unveils World's 1st "Working, Learning & Growing Store" [Photos/Video]". Retail Insider. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  6. "Staples Rebrands and Unveils World's 1st "Working, Learning & Growing Store" [Photos/Video]". Retail Insider. 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  7. "David Boone: Chief Executive Officer, Staples Canada ULC" (PDF). Staples Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2018.
  8. Lombardo, Christopher (2022-07-12). "Staples gets an early start on back-to-school". strategy. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  9. Crann, Justin (2021-10-07). "Staples satisfies consumer curiosity about its transformation". strategy. Retrieved 2023-08-01.

Bibliography
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