About

Headquarters: Framingham, MA
2012 Revenues: $8.1 billion
Change in Sales from 2011: 2%

Office products retailer Staples is often cited by distributors as a big competitor in the janitorial supplies space. The retailer is increasingly targeting professional customers through its Staples Advantage and Quill.com business in the U.S. and Canada. Staples bought Dutch office supplies distributor Corporate Express in a deal valued at about US$4.8 billion at the time of sale in 2008. 

The Staples Advantage business targets mid-sized businesses, as well as Fortune 1000 companies, with a contract sales force. Quill.com targets small and mid-sized businesses online and through a direct sales force. The businesses fall under Staples North American Commercial segment in reporting. In 2012, excluding an extra week, sales fell slightly for this segment, driven by a decision in late 2011 not to renew two large customer contracts, as well as a decline in sales of core supplies. The decline was offset by increased sales of facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture and copy and print services, according to Staple’s annual SEC filing.

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