Staples targets back-to-school shoppers with its app

Staples is turning its mobile app into a single point of access for all of its back-to-school deals and special offers.

The office supply giant is offering a range of in-store and digital deals and rewards for parents, teachers and students. Through the Staples Connect app, back-to-school shoppers may have access to all of their Staples Rewards and Classroom Rewards loyalty points and perks in one place, along with app-exclusive deals. As a result, Staples intends to allow for a seamless in-store back-to-school shopping experience.

Staples is consolidating its back-to-school offers, many for under $1, available through Saturday, Aug. 27, on The Top 22 Deals for 2022 list. Customers can also visit Staples’ Weekly Ads for more information on the latest deals, including markdowns on select tech, back-to-school essentials, and more discounts happening that week.

By using the Staples Connect app, customers may have their rewards available in one place when they shop. Customers who download can take advantage of the new wallet feature with special weekly app-exclusive deals.

Consumers can also create a shopping list or search for a school supplies list. They can open the wallet to gain access to any earned rewards and bonuses from purchases and ink recycling.

In addition, customers can join the Staples Classroom Rewards program to earn 10% back in Classroom Rewards on in-store purchases to give to a local teacher or school through Sept. 24, 2022, plus up to 5% back in Staples Rewards. Through a partnership with TeacherLists, parents now have access to certain school supply lists by visiting staples.com/supplylist or through the Staples Connect app under the “Lists” tab.

“It’s very important that the communities around our stores feel prepared and excited to go forward to school this fall,” said Mike Motz, CEO, Staples U.S. Retail. “After many years of unknowns that educators, parents and students have had to face, Staples wants to make it as easy as possible for customers to get lower prices and a stylish assortment of products. The best time to take advantage of these deals is right now.”

According to recent data from RetailMeNot, 16% of surveyed consumers consider Staples the top back-to-school shopping destination, placing it in the top 10 destinations (Walmart led with 75%). Survey results also indicated a shift in back-to-store shopping from online to in-store.  Thirty-nine percent of respondents are online shopping during the back-to-school season (down from 48% in 2021), while 61% are shopping in stores (up from 52% the prior year).

RetailMeNot also found that more than half (56%) of respondents said they would buy online and pick up in-store while performing back-to-school shopping. Electronics topped the list at $353 (but down 21% from last year) when consumers were asked how much they plan to spend in top back-to-school shopping categories, followed by clothing ($320, up 2% from 2021) and school supplies ($192, up 55%).

Headquartered in Framingham, Mass., Staples operates more than 1,000 stores across the U.S., as well as over 300 Canadian stores.