Staples enhances omnichannel offering
Staples has enhanced its omnichannel offerings, enabling small business owners to buy products online and pick them up in stores within hours, pay online via Visa Checkout, use in-store kiosks and download and use a dedicated iPad app.
"Staples continues to innovate and develop new technology to improve the customer experience, whether it's providing convenient shipping options, making check-out faster or adding mobile platforms," said Faisal Masud, EVP, global e-commerce, Staples. "The recent updates will make it easier for customers to shop however and from wherever they want. This is particularly important for businesses that are always on the go and can't wait for a delivery or delay shopping until they are in front of a desktop."
With Staples new “buy online, pick up in store” feature, customers will be able to select a “pick up today” option on Staples.com. Staples promises to have orders ready for pick up within two hours. Customers can also permanently set their preferred store location, and Staples.com will automatically show the inventory available at the three closest stores. For products not sold in stores, customers will still be able to ship their orders to a store for pickup. All these options are free.
The Visa Checkout payment service lets customers check out online on any device, with just a few clicks, by entering a Visa Checkout username and password. Shoppers can use any credit card with Visa Checkout, which pre-populates their shipping information and is available on Staples.com and Staples’ mobile website. Once enrolled, customers can then enter their username and password to complete purchases on any device, without ever having to leave Staples' website. Staples first announced the availability of Visa Checkout on Staples.com in July, but it is now accessible through the retailer's mobile sites.
Staples is also rolling out new touch screen in-store kiosks throughout its retail locations in the U.S. in the next several months. In addition to upgrading the technology to the existing kiosks, the company will reposition them in stores for improved accessibility.
The retailer is also rolling out its first-ever iPad app. It provides an easy-to-use tablet experience. Users can check and cash their Staples Rewards balance and reorder past purchases. Other features include direct access to Staples' biggest and best deals, information on product availability at the nearest store, faster search and quicker navigation, customizable viewing of search results and the ability to narrow down search results by price, category and relevance.