Staples expands into Las Vegas

By Mark Hansel

Friday, March 6, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Yeah, we’ve got that.

The “we” in this case is the Las Vegas Valley and the “that” is Staples, the office supply giant whose “yeah, we’ve got that” slogan is one of the most recognizable catchphrases in recent memory.

The office-supply retailer will enter the Las Vegas market with the opening of a Henderson store March 7.

The economic downturn has forced many retailers to put expansion plans on hold or scale back, but that’s not the case with Staples.

The move into this market is part of Staples’ aggressive expansion strategy that includes 50 more stores nationwide by the end of the year.

“We are committed to meeting the needs of our customers,” said Ean Quiel, market manager for Staples. “In these tougher times we want to be available for them to let them know that we’re here for them and we’re not going anywhere.”

The Staples’ expansion plan also includes the addition of copy and print shops, which is a new concept of smaller footprint stores that focus on those services.

The company also has an extensive online and telephone-based delivery business.

Staples recently opened a store just across the state line, in Bullhead City, Ariz., and plans to add a store in North Las Vegas in the fall.

Quiel said the company is also looking at other sites in Southern Nevada, but cannot confirm any locations at this time.

The 20,000-square-foot store in Henderson at 280 W. Lake Mead Parkway will employ about 20 people.

“The biggest thing you will notice is a commitment to customer service,” Quiel said.

You’re going to see a nice clean layout, easy to shop, very organized and you’ll see a lot of new products.”

Staples stores carry more than 7,000 brand-name products, and each store also has a copy and print center, which has the capability to print wide formats, business cards, stationary and promotional products such as mugs, pens and caps.

Staples also has in-store technicians who can provide consulting and repair services for computers, printers and other office equipment. The store also offers off-site technical services for network setups or repairs at a customer’s place of business.

Quiel said Las Vegas has been a strong contract market for Staples delivery service, so it just made sense for the company to expand into this market.

Contract customers will be issued a convenience card, which can be used like a credit card, to make purchases at the store.

“Let’s say on a Friday night a customer needs toner and doesn’t realize it and they don’t want to have to wait until Monday, they can shoot down to the store and put the purchase on a customer convenience card,” Quiel said.

Staples recently became the first national retailer to offer a comprehensive ink and toner recycling program that pays customers for recycling any brand of cartridge. Staples customers earn $3 in Staples Rewards for every ink or toner cartridge (up to 10 per calendar month) for recycle these products at Staples.

Another promotion, the “Trade In, Trade Up” program that runs from March 15 to May 2, gives customers a $50 rebate when they recycle any printer and purchase a new one.

Quiel says the customer base for the Las Vegas market is expected to be mostly small-business owners, but the company anticipates some consumer traffic as well.

Staples has scheduled a grand-opening event April 6 that will include visits from local dignitaries and the presentation of a $2,500 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas from the Staples Foundation for Learning.

Mark Hansel covers retail and marketing for In Business Las Vegas and its sister publication, the Las Vegas Sun. He can be reached at 259-4069 or at [email protected].