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Comment by bane | Hacker News Reader

I have no idea how they keep the lights on.

Whenever I go in, usually during peak business hours, it's unusual if there's even another customer in there. I'm usually just buying a pack of cheap pens or something, maybe once every 6 months.

Many moons ago, it used to be an underappreciated place to buy cheap computer parts, but even SD cards are grossly overpriced these days.

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Staples has a shockingly large (at least to me) online business. They're the second largest online retailer in the US (second only to Amazon):

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/03/27/staples-is-...

I use them to buy toner for printers at work. Free next day AM delivery and they usually have better prices than amazon.

I honestly had no idea. I would have figured new egg or Ann Taylor (based on how much my wife shops there on-line).

That doesn't make up for their empty retail stores though, unless those stores really are local warehouses/depots in the scheme of their online operations -- is that their model ? Former retails promoted to faux retail/consumer warehouses ? Does having that high profile physical presence drive their online retail, so the costs are worth it ?

Well the "synergies" or "cost savings" associated with mergers like this are when they shutter stores and lay off the employees. Post merger there will be less retail stores.

My understanding is it's all corporate accounts. Almost nobody actually goes into the store, but my girlfriend's work regularly puts together orders and has them delivered for any office supplies they need. The retail stores are just a big distribution network, and customers are reluctant to go to Amazon or a smaller supplier because a) nobody ever got fired for buying Staples b) they already have an account there.

Staples gives store credit for printer ink cartridges, even if you didn't buy them there. They also coupon heavily so walking in and buying something retail is like doing the same at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

>I have no idea how they keep the lights on.

Back-to-school season, teachers/schools and corporate accounts.

Have you ever been there during "back to school" season? Its a jam packed free for all.

They probably have a lot of seasonal business when all the grade school semesters start.

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