By Aimee Chanthadavong
Since the US-brand Staples launched its online business Staples.com.au in NSW and the ACT in November 2010, it has announced it will be expanding into Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Richard Haigh, head of Staples.com.au, told RetailBiz that the company is dedicated to focussing on the needs of customers in order to gain the trust of customers.
“When we launched in Australia we knew from research that customers wanted an easy to use website, fast delivery and low prices. So, our focus remains on ensuring we deliver this to SMEs. We’ll continue to listen to our customers and what they want. If their needs change Staples will change accordingly,” he said.
“I believe that successfully fulfilling the needs of our customers is of most importance to them. Office stationery is a low-involvement category so I think the best indication of feedback is repeat purchase and this is increasing dramatically every month.”
The company said the expansion to three new states sees staples.com.au now servicing 68 per cent of the small business population; a potential of more than half a million small businesses when the company rolls out nationally in the coming months.
According to Haigh, the feedback received from SMEs since entering the Australian market has been positive.
“It’s important to remember that office stationery is a low-involvement category and as mentioned I think the best indication of feedback is repeat purchase and this is increasing dramatically every month. I’m confident we’ll have the same success in the Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian markets.”