Mike Motz has many years of experience in retail and took on the role of CEO at the Staples US Retail division in April 2019.Â
To find out more about Staples US Retail/Staples Connect, read the following articles:
2021
Two new Staples Connect stores to open
Staples US Retail in returns partnership
Staples US Retail announces branding evolution
OPI Talk podcast: The evolving world of retail with Staples Connect
Background information
2021: Staples US Retail is one of three Sycamore Partners-owned Staples entities in North America, the others being Staples Inc and Staples Canada. Mike Motz joined the company as CEO after holding senior roles at Canadian retailers Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws.
The 1,000-strong Staples store network in the US is undergoing a major repositioning and rebranding to Staples Connect, with the tagline of The Working and Learning Store. This project was unveiled in 2019, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It got back on track in 2021, with the company looking to make its retail outlets much more than transactional shops.
Initiatives include a unique assortment of more than 40 products designed to help customers adapt to new ways of working, along with a dedicated digital experience on staplesconnect.com. In addition to the products, the Staples Connect website offers services for small businesses such as a virtual professional address (in partnership with iPostal1) and personalised shipping supplies. The site also offers same-day shipping on some products via Instacart.
Of course, the big question longer term is over whether Staples’ US stores will combine with those of Office Depot. Sycamore has made a $1 billion offer to acquire the Office Depot retail network of just over 1,000 outlets. Discussions are still ongoing, but there is likely to be significant developments in 2022.
