Office Supplies and HVAC?

The HVAC Go-To Stores History Series

Series #3 - Staples

In 1985, Staples was founded by Thomas G. Stemberg and Leo Kahn, who had previously competed against each other in the Boston grocery market. He had worked in the New England food business since graduating from Harvard Business School in 1973. In 1985, after his employer fired him because of "philosophical differences," he used his year's worth of severance pay to explore other business opportunities.

He was interviewing for a job at a generalized warehouse club retailer when he noticed that the aisle featuring office supplies was in disarray, attesting to the popularity of the products, which moved quickly out of the store. When he learned that this small category of goods accounted for 7 percent of all warehouse store sales, Stemberg recognized a niche market that would provide him with the opportunity he wanted.

Stemberg drew on several demographic factors in formulating his concept for an office supplies warehouse. As large corporations cut their workforces, small businesses were taking up the slack in the American economy, signaling a quickly expanding, lucrative market. In addition, the service sector of the economy was growing rapidly, and such businesses typically used a good deal of office supplies.

Stemberg's plan called for the elimination of the middleman in office supply distribution. Traditionally, manufacturers of paper and other items sold their goods to one of six major wholesalers around the country. The wholesalers then sold their goods to office supply dealers and stationery stores. The dealers sold supplies to large corporations, while stationers catered to small businesses and individuals. Along the way, however, the two layers of middlemen between the factory and the customer drove up costs dramatically.

Until now, Staples, Inc. is the country's largest operator of office supplies superstores, offering a vast selection of products at low prices, primarily to small business owners. They also offer convenient shopping through their website staples.com. You can even get your HVAC supplies needs from air filters to fans to humidifiers and air conditioners.

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References: https://www.company-histories.com/Staples-Inc-Company-History.html