Case Study; Staples VS Office Depot

By: Lance Winslow
Submitted: 2007-01-17 12:20:18
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Many people have shown done case studies on the Office Supply Industry and there has been literally an over kill of white papers, research and even books written on the issue. Currently in the market there are several such category killer businesses in that sectors such as Office Max, Office Depot and Staples. Indeed, we should also not forget Corporate Express either.

Most people and consumers believe this sector to be a retail endeavor, yet that is not really so. In fact the biggest income generator is the catalog and Internet sales to Corporations and it is know that businesses which have 20 or more employees spend $200 per year in office supplies. Are you shocked by that high number; well you should not be if you are in a small business for yourself and post all your office supplies receipts into Quick Books and fill out your Schedule C tax return. Small Businesses often spend even more.

Even better or worse depending on your perspective; Government Agencies spend $250 to $400 per person in office supplies. Paper Pushers terminology comes to mind? Even considering the huge push of the Government Paper Work Reduction Act office supply expenditures continue to increase.

Now for an interesting kicker; Staples was the first office supply store retailer to really get into the Internet Ordering and Delivery to Companies. Office Max and Office Depot followed into this lucrative market and this has affected Corporate Express, which is solely Corporate Office Supply Delivery, not retail office supplies.

Why is this of interest? Well simple Office Depot outsourced its phone ordering call in lines and those who answer the phone are not in the United States. So now the Staples Corporate Sales Forces are going ballistic with Corporate clients changing companies for office supplies. Moral of the story; Outsourcing does not always make sense. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Outsourcing category

  • Medical Devices Outsourcing from Asia - The Best Choice - By: KK Tsang
    To keep their competitiveness due to price pressure, more and more medical device manufacturers of disposable devices from the US and Europe are coming to Asia to outsource the manufacturing of their products. They all have one big issue, how and where to locate the most suitable outsourcing partner? After reviewing a number of criteria, a Hong Kong medical device contract manufacturer with its manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China is the best option.
  • Freelance Security Consultants - By: Peter Bolt
    The functions of Security Consultants are described with supporting examples.
  • Outsourcing CAD,CAM,CAE,AEC projects, AutoCAD jobs, freelance work, CAD symbols - By: David Maxwell
    Survival in the CAD industry is guaranteed only if you are willing to dedicate your skills, expertise and professional experience to the B2B CAD outsourcing market. Working as freelance CAD drafter is a potential option for you to increase your income and extend your CAD business. You can search for CAD projects and CAD jobs in search engines but it is far more efficient to use special sites that offer CAD work and CAD community like CADLore.com.
  • The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Freelancer - By: JR Pittman
    If you're sitting at your desk wondering if using a freelance business resource is right for your company, here is a list of pros and cons that can help you make an intelligent decision.
  • Outsourcing Business Flyer Printing Over the Internet - By: Kaye Marks
    Business process outsourcing or BPO is getting popular and popular especially in this global economy. Since the advent of the Internet, it is now possible to have a separate firm perform any kind of business process task that you need like flyer printing.
  • Same Day Couriers help to win the day! - By: Ian Sheldon
    Have you ever ordered something, say from the Internet, and then wondered how it manages to get to you so quickly?
  • International Courier Solutions - By: Ian Sheldon
    International courier services are a vital resource for many companies with global connections. From getting vital legal documents through to lawyers or customers to shipping samples and marketing materials, shipping items globally as fast as possible is something that a large number of companies require.
  • Advantages of IT Outsourcing to Ukraine and Eastern Europe - By: Alex Stasov
    High-tech outsourcing to Eastern Europe has been growing rapidly due to a shortage of IT and other high-tech professionals in the United States and Europe. Outsourcing IT and high-tech projects offshore to Ukraine and Russia or hiring East European IT specialists for part or full-time jobs has become very common for corporations and start-up businesses. Numerous resources have been created online (e.g. High-Tech Hire) to facilitate the search of engineers, web designers and software developers.
  • Tax Return Outsourcing - Cut Down Taxation Burden - By: Michelle Barkley
    Tax return outsourcing service assists a tax payee to evaluate the taxable income as well as to convert the complex documents much simpler.
  • Bookkeeping Outsourcing: The Unique, Competitive and Dynamic Advantage - By: Michelle Barkley
    The article informs regarding the necessity, significance and advantage of bookkeeping outsourcing. It also reveals the different areas and software used for the purpose.