Staples sets sights on online growth

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples plans to triple the size of its e-commerce and IT staff by 2014, and has unveiled a new Velocity Lab at Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass., to kick off its accelerated online growth initiative.

The Velocity Lab is part of Staples’ strategic plan to integrate its retail and online offering and to provide its business customers with a seamless multi-channel shopping experience. To that end, Staples plans to staff the lab with e-commerce and IT teams charged with designing and implementing innovative e-commerce and mobile solutions across Staples global business units. The lab, which features an open floor plan, collaboration space, telepresence capabilities and even hoteling options for visiting employees and guests, accommodates up to 75 Staples employees.

“Staples is investing to provide a superior multi-channel shopping experience through the use of our websites, mobile assets and stores,” said Brian Tilzer, Staples SVP, global e-commerce. “The Staples Velocity Lab is vital to the development of our e-commerce assets, as it provides a space to allow our teams to think creatively, enhancing our mobile commerce, social media and online offerings.”

The Velocity Lab also hosts groups of students from top universities in the area to collaborate on research and innovation projects, further strengthening the company’s commitment to the innovation and technology culture in Metro Boston.

Staples is looking to fill newly added product management, usability and creative positions, and is looking for people in e-commerce and IT to staff the new Cambridge office.