Staples is an office retail company that provides office supplies and furniture via B2B and retail channels and copy and print services in some locations.
It offers breakroom essentials, computers, electronics, furniture, beauty products, cleaning, printers, stationery, packing, coffee and coffee makers, etc.
Staples was founded in 1986, and its first store was opened in Boston. It began to grow rapidly and started expanding its business globally.
On its 10th anniversary in 1996, it became one of the Fortune 500 companies for surpassing over $3 billion in sales. By the early 20s, there were over 1,300 Staples outlets across the states.
As one of the country’s largest operators in office supplies, it offers a wide selection of products at relatively low prices, primarily to small business owners.
The company was founded by Myra Hart, Thomas G. Stemberg, and Leo Kahn and is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, in the United States.
As of 2022, it has over 1,040 stores and 40 warehouses across the U.S., including more than 75,000 workers.
Staples is chiefly known for adopting innovative ways of continually delivering products and services that attract more customers.
Over the years, the company has sold over 10 billion staples, 5.3 million paper clips, 3 million rulers, and over 51 million bottles of correction fluid.
It generated $8.4 billion in revenue for the fiscal year 2021.
Staples Competitors
Though Staples services include a wide variety of supplies from technology, print, and beauty products to furniture, and business essentials, similar companies still offer the same. These stores provide the best products from electronics to pen and paper at competitive prices.
So, if you’re looking for services similar to Staples, you might want to check out the following alternatives and competitors of Staples.
1. Office Depot
Office Depot is undeniably one of Staples’ biggest competitors. It’s a one-stop-shop that offers a variety of products from a full range of office supplies, electronics, print services, furniture, computer software, mailing, shipping, and more.
Both Staples and Office Depot dominate the office supply business in the U.S offering ample options with competitive prices and discounts with thousands of outlets across the state.
Office Depot is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, founded in 1989 by Stephen Doughtery, Jack Kopkin, and F. Patrick Sher.
It takes pride in being the world’s largest supplier of office products and ranks as the second-largest operator of office supplies in the U.S, next to Staples.
It operates in over 1,400 retail stores, B2B sales, and e-commerce sites and has more than 38,000 employees across the U.S. Office Depot’s annual sales are approximately $11 billion.
Office Depot is a leading distributor of goods, business supplies, and technology to small-scale and medium businesses. It holds sales events and offers 20% student discount in specific locations, but discount policies vary depending on the store and location.
The plus point is that it also offers international shipping. To meet the needs of its customers, it accepts payments through MasterCard, PayPal, Visa, and American Express, including Office Depot, OfficeMax Gift Cards, and Reward Cards.
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2. Amazon
Amazon proudly holds the title of the world’s largest online retailer and ranks among the 5 biggest corporations in America. Amazon started as a bookseller and gradually established itself as an e-commerce giant.
It has totally changed how people purchase things online and competes with some of the world’s largest corporations. Amazon offers a wide selection of consumer goods and digital products, such as games, music, books, software, and more.
Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, U.S. Jeff Bezos started the business from his garage, which is now a multinational business empire making him the world’s second-richest man.
Amazon primarily focuses on AI, digital streaming, and e-commerce and has earned quite a reputation as the world’s largest marketplace.
It enables the customers to purchase just about anything from clothing, baby products, furniture, pet supplies, grocery, movies, electronics, and jewelry to beauty products, toys, and more.
Amazon, as one of the biggest successful companies on the globe, has over 30 million customers, while its paid subscription plan, Amazon Prime, has more than 200 million subscribers globally, allowing the users to stream music and enjoy perks, including free shipping.
It offers products at the lowest possible price attracting more and more customers. Amazon has over 1,622,000 employees; its revenue in 2021 was $469.822 billion.
3. Walmart
Walmart is a multinational retail corporation founded by Sam Walton in 1932 and is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S. It operates a chain of hypermarkets, grocery, and department stores in the U.S and internationally.
Formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, it now operates under the name Walmart and operates in 24 countries and has over 10,585 stores under 46 different banners. In 2019, it was the largest grocery retailer in the United States.
It boasts over 2.3 million employees globally, and over 1.6 million in the U.S. Walmart generated $13.67 billion in revenue for the fiscal year 2022.
Walmart offers a seamless experience allowing customers to shop from anywhere at any time online and in-stores.
Whether in-store, online, or mobile apps, it provides a wide range of products from grocery, apparel, crafts, electronics, and sporting goods at relatively low prices.
It operates as Walmart in Canada and the U.S, as Flipkart in India, and as Walmart de México y Centroamérica in Central America and Mexico. It’s a family-owned business run by the Walton family.
Since its inception, it has offered a seamless shopping experience for customers offering tons of items, making it easier to choose what you need at your fingertips.
As one of the largest brick-and-mortar retailers worldwide, it boasts over 100 million monthly visitors.
4. Best Buy
Best Buy is a retailer of technology products and services, offering a wide range of merchandise services to its customers. The multinational consumer electronics company was founded by Richard M. Schulze and James Wheeler in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
Initially, it was named Sound of Music, primarily as an audio-focused store but was renamed Best Buy in 1983, focusing on consumer electronics.
It offers products like computers, electronics, music, and video games, including home appliances as well as repair services for computers under its Geek Squad brand.
Best Buy operates in Mexico, U.S, and Canada, with over 1,144 stores and more than 105,000 employees. It generated a revenue of $51.76 billion for the fiscal year 2022.
Best Buy offers products at affordable prices lower than its competitors and uses the advantage of social media like Twitter and Facebook for advertisements and to promote its brand.
It also has an online community where its members can share experiences, ask questions, and get help from experts or other members.
In 2004, Forbes named Best Buy “Company of the Year,” was listed in Fortune magazine in 2006 as “Most Admired Companies” and ranked 72 on Fortune 500 list among the largest corporation in the U.S in 2018.
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5. Target
Target is a big box department store chain established in 1962 by John Geisse and is the 8th largest retailer in the U.S, headquartered in Target Plaza in Minneapolis. During the ‘80s, it started expanding nationwide and introduced stores under its name in the ‘90s.
It has over 409,000 employees and operates in over 1,931 stores. It generated $106 billion in revenue in 2021. Since 1994, Target has used the tagline “Expect More. Pay Less.” In 2020, it ranked 37th on Fortune 500 list among the largest corporations in the U.S.
Target is one of the largest discount retailers providing products such as housewares, accessories, bedding, shoes, pet supplies, apparel, gardening tools, furniture, beauty products, various food choices, and more.
With thousands of stores across the U.S, Target caters to millions of customers, and you can purchase almost anything from the store at a great price, be it decoration items or furniture.
6. Costco
Costco is an American multinational corporation founded in 1983 by Jim Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman and is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington. Its first warehouse was opened in Seattle. Also known as Costco Wholesale Corporation, it operates a chain of membership-only retail stores.
As of 2022, it has 831 warehouses around the world which include 574 in the U.S, 29 in the U.K, 31 in Japan, 40 in Mexico, and 105 in Canada, among others.
Since it regularly opens new stores in various locations, it plans to expand its business in Sweden and New Zealand in 2022.
In 2016, it was the largest retailer in rotisserie chicken, choice and prime beef, wine, and organic foods. In 2020, it ranked as the world’s 5th largest retailer, while it ranked 10th in the annual Fortune 500 rankings among the largest corporations in the U.S in 2021.
Costco generated $166.76 billion in revenue in 2020. It offers products at great discounts exclusively to members who pay annual fees. It typically provides supermarket items and merchandise, including a few luxury products, and stocks over 4k items.
Costco is known for offering top-quality products and regional brands. In the 2021 fiscal year, Costco generated $192 billion in sales and $3.9 billion from membership fees.
7. Kohl’s
Kohl’s is a leading department store retailer and boasts the largest chain of stores in the U.S. It was founded by a Polish immigrant Maxwell Kohl in 1962 and opened its first department store in Wisconsin, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, U.S.
It has stores in over 1,162 locations across 49 states providing excellent products and exclusive brands, allowing the customers to save more money.
It offers an outstanding shopping experience to its customers, be it at the stores, apps, or online. Kohl’s has over 110,000 employees globally and collected a revenue of $18.13 billion in 2020.
Kohl’s offers a wide range of activewear outfits and products from top brands at great discounts. Its services include diffusion lines products, including Vera Wang, Peter Som, and Dana Buchman.
Also, celebrities such as Avril, JLO, Britney Spears, Lauren Conrad, and others sold their clothing from Kohl’s.
Its primary products include footwear, furniture, beauty products, appliances, electronics, and more. Private brands at Kohl’s generates over $19 billion in sales annually.
The omnichannel retailer operates in almost every state, and there’s always something in store for all. As one of the largest store retailers, it has over 21 various departments for shopping.
Also, it offers world-renowned brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Champion, including its private brands like Lauren Conrad, Sonoma Goods for Life, and Croft & Barrow.
It offers rewards programs such as Kohl’s Charge Card and Kohl’s Cash to keep its customers engaged. In addition, it offers popular brands at competitive prices attracting more customers.
8. Tesco
Tesco is a multinational merchandise and grocery retailer founded by Jack Cohen in 1919 and is headquartered in Hertfordshire, England, Welwyn Garden City, UK. It ranks 3rd as the largest retailer worldwide in gross revenues and 9th in the world in terms of revenues.
Tesco is the leader in groceries in the U.K and operates in 5 countries across Europe. It has been in the business for over 100 years and boasts a loyal customer base. In addition to groceries, it also includes household goods and other items like health and beauty.
Since the early ‘90s, it has expanded globally and offers various services such as toys, internet services, clothing, DIY, outdoor equipment, books, furniture, and more. As of 2021, it has stores in over 4,673 locations and has more than 367,321 employees.
It generated £57.887 billion in revenue in 2021. In addition, there are different types of Tesco stores. Similarly, products will vary depending on the kind of stores you choose to visit, such as Tesco Extra, Tesco Superstore, Tesco Metro, etc.
Tesco has been running for a long time and has maintained a reputation for its low prices and customer-centred services. In countries like Spain, Gibraltar, and Ibiza, it operates under The Food Company. Though the competition is tough, its merchandise and foods are still affordably priced.
