Cartridge World looks to app for new revenue stream

Specialty ink and toner retailer Cartridge World has a limited product offering, but that isn’t stopping it from thinking big or getting creative.



The McHenry, Illinois-based chain currently has more than 400 North American and 1,000 international stores, and intends to have more than 3,000 total stores by 2019. To help boost sales beyond its existing assortment and store base, Cartridge World is launching a mobile application called PrintWorld.



The new app is positioned as the first step in a strategic program that focuses on catering to the ever-increasing mobile workforce. The next phase of the project will be to work directly with Samsung to place thousands of printers in free WiFi areas across the U.S. and, in the future, the globe. CartridgeWorld says ideal partners for PrintWorld printer placement would be transportation hubs, retailers, shopping malls and academic institutions.



Developed in partnership with Samsung, PrintWorld gives consumers access to ‘print-on-the-go’ technology directly from their mobile devices. The app offers full printer functionality for hard copy printing and scanning facilities for use by anyone with a smartphone, tablet or laptop that are away from their office or normal work base location.



“The global workforce is continuously evolving and thanks to the advancements in laptop, smartphone, tablet and Wi-Fi technology, mobile and remote workers are now more common than ever,” said Steve Weedon, global CEO of Cartridge World. “To ensure the mobile workforce is able to perform at optimal levels, a lot depends on innovation in the development of mobile applications, which is what led to the concept and eventual creation of PrintWorld, the demand already exists and now the technology can support it.”



Local Cartridge World franchise stores will play an integral role in maintaining printers and supporting all PrintWorld mobile - print locations. The Wi-Fi client will be free from any responsibility to the printer. A new revenue stream for Cartridge World franchisees is created through the app value downloads from users.



This app- and third-party-partner-based approach to offering business services is an interesting way for Cartridge World to compete with office product retailers like Staples in the growing business services marketplace. It is a perfect example of how mobile technology allows retailers to expand their offerings, customer touchpoints and revenue base without directly adding any overhead or infrastructure.