| For many decades, office supplies have often been | | | | The solution |
| sold in local bookstores around the country and in | | | | In line with this, the founders of Staples, Home Depot |
| other parts of the world. Today, there are a number of | | | | and Office Max came up with a solution. That is, to |
| different stores such as Office Depot and Staples that | | | | provide business entrepreneurs a one-stop shop |
| specialize in providing business establishments with | | | | where everything that they would need for their |
| various office supplies and equipment. From paper | | | | business would be available. Apart from providing all |
| products to office furniture and fixtures, these office | | | | the supplies, equipment and furnishings that you may |
| supply shops have become the one-stop shop for | | | | need, these office supply specialty stores sell items |
| many business entrepreneurs regardless of the size of | | | | both in retail and in bulk. |
| the company. | | | | Evolution of Services |
| How it all began | | | | Today, office supply stores now also offer a number |
| Most of the popular office supply stores had their | | | | of different services that you will need for your |
| beginnings during the late 1980s. Staples and Office | | | | business. For example, apart from providing office |
| Depot were the first to be established in 1986. Two | | | | supplies, equipment and furnishings, Staples now has a |
| years after, Office Max opened its first store. Today, | | | | business center in every establishment. Here, |
| these three office supply retail stores are the top | | | | customers can avail of services such as fax |
| three most popular chains with branches all over the | | | | transmittals, creation of business materials, binding, |
| United States and even in other parts of the world. | | | | laminating and the like. They also provide a service |
| The primary reason for the establishment of a | | | | center for computers, printers and laptops. Office |
| specialized office supply store came as a result of a | | | | Depot now also offers ink refilling services to its |
| need. The founders of Staples and Office Depot have | | | | customers by refilling emptied printer ink cartridges, |
| begun to notice that, although bookstores do provide | | | | allowing them to save money. |
| many of the office supplies that are needed by any | | | | Reaching out to their customers |
| business establishment, these are often sold in retail. | | | | Another plus for office supply stores is that they |
| As such, many business establishments, especially | | | | provide great discounts and offers for products like |
| those who are just beginning to start their own small | | | | photo paper, printers, ink cartridges, etc. And they do it |
| business or home office to settle with whatever | | | | not just to budding business entrepreneurs. These |
| number of supplies that are available. Another problem | | | | offers and discounts are meant to attract teachers, |
| that they noticed is that budding business | | | | students and any one who needs to avail of any of |
| entrepreneurs would need to travel from one store to | | | | their products and services. Such is the case with |
| another in order to acquire everything that they would | | | | Office Depot with their STAR Teacher Program. |
| need for their business. For instance, if they would | | | | Through this program, a teacher is given huge |
| need some office furniture and fixture, they would | | | | discounts on selected services and products such as |
| need to go to a furniture store. For their computer and | | | | copying services and supplies that he or she would |
| electronic equipment needs, they would need to head | | | | need. |
| down to an appliance or computer store for this. | | | | |
