United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) and Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) have joined hands together to provide more billing options for the shipping customers. That will make picking up of packages an easy one from any of the retailer’s over 1,300 locations in the United States. Both companies face the pressure of being innovative to improve their services to attract more customers into their fold. The competitive activities are driving the firms on the edge.
Customized Rates
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) and Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) alliance would enable customers to charge the shipments cost at the retailer’s outlet itself to their packaging firm’s account. That meant that there was no need for the customers to prepare labels before hand and would see the invoice on their regular invoice of UPS apart from any customized rates.
Both the companies believe that the special option is specifically useful for those who are spending big time on the road like the technicians, as well as, the distributed professionals. Others such as the owners of the small business will also likely enjoy the convenience of a one-stop shop to buy office supplies. That was for their businesses while they ship packages.
Management Comments
Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) SVP for Business Services, Damien Leigh, said that the company was thrilled to provide its customers an additional convenience for shipping with UPS packages. He said that the fresh billing choices along with its expanded packaging, as well as, shipping products line would make the shopping experience easier for its small business customers.
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) and Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) have also provided instructions as to how to enroll to avail the services. The two companies also indicated that the customers who are enrolled could check by visiting their profile. It remains to be seen as to how the customers are going to respond to the schemes. The success of it might allow the packaging firm to take to others in the retail business.
Staples, Inc. (Staples), incorporated on January 23, 1986, is a provider of products and services that serve the needs of business customers and consumers. The Company offers a selection of products, such as Websites and mobile platforms, retail and online shopping and a range of copy and print and technology services. The Company operates in three business segments: North American Stores & Online, North American Commercial and International Operations. The Company serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in North America, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. The Company’s delivery business enables customers to place their orders online.
North American Stores & Online
The Company’s North American Stores & Online segment includes its retail stores and Staples.com businesses in the United States and Canada. The North American Stores & Online focuses on offering stores and Websites with products that are readily available. The Company operates a portfolio of retail store formats. The Company’s North American Stores & Online segment consisted of 1,364 stores in the United States and 315 stores in Canada at the end of fiscal 2014. Its Staples.com and Staples.ca reach a variety of customers, including small businesses, home offices and consumers, offering next business day delivery for various orders. The Company has various concepts, such as ship to store, in store kiosks, online retail store inventory lookup, as well as buy online pickup in store.
North American Commercial
The Company’s North American Commercial segment consists of the United States and Canadian businesses that sell and deliver products and services directly to businesses, including Staples Advantage and Quill.com. The North American Commercial segment focuses on categories beyond office supplies, such as facilities and break room supplies, furniture, promotional products, print solutions and technology. Through the Company’s contract sales force, it offers service account management, delivery, pricing and payment terms, usage reporting, the stocking of certain items and an assortment of environmentally friendly products and services. Its Quill.com is an Internet and catalog business with a targeted approach to serving the needs of small and mid-sized businesses in the United States. Quill.com also offers a specialized assortment of office supplies and products for health care professionals.
International Operations
The Company’s International Operations segment consists of businesses in 23 countries in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. The Company’s European Office Products businesses represent a portfolio serving contract, retail, and Internet and catalog customers in 16 countries. The Company’s contract business includes sizable operations in Scandinavia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The Company operates 284 retail stores in Europe, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. The Company operates Internet and direct mail catalog businesses with sales in France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Staples Australia serves primarily contract and Government customers in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the Company operates a public Website, which targets small business and home office customers. It provides an assortment of products and services, including office products, facility and break room supplies, technology, business furniture and print management. The Company operates delivery businesses in China, Argentina, Taiwan and Brazil. The Company also has a franchise arrangement in India with its former joint venture partner.
The Company competes with Walmart, Target, Tesco, Costco, Best Buy, Apple, FedEx Office and Amazon.com.
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