Retail giant Amazon is launching its first national returns partnership in Canada.
Eligible Amazon items can now be dropped off at Staples’ 298 locations across the country, providing a convenient new return option that helps minimize the need for additional shipping boxes.
“Amazon is built on customer obsession. We’re thrilled to offer a new, convenient return option for customers in Canada through this collaboration with Staples,” said Gopal Pillai, Vice President, Worldwide Returns and ReCommerce at Amazon, in a statement.
“Our goal is to make buying online as easy as possible, and help customers love their purchases. But we know there may be times when a customer needs to make a return, which is why we work hard to continue to raise the bar in offering a hassle-free returns experience.”
Amazon said the national initiative is the first of its kind for the company in Canada, and reflects the company’s commitment to providing seamless returns solutions for customers. Eligible items can be dropped off at a Staples Canada store in the original manufacturer’s packaging.
“Our collaboration with Amazon underscores Staples Canada’s 30+ year history of serving Canadian communities by making everyday tasks easier and more convenient for our customers,” said Rachel Huckle, CEO, Staples Canada, in a statement.
“Whether you’re a business, a parent or a student, Staples is committed to bringing essential services like this closer to where you live, work and shop,” she said.
Huckle said Staples has been on a bit of a mission over the last several years to really think about the role its stores play, and online channels, in the communities the retailer serves.
“Over the last few years we’ve bolstered a number of our print marketing services. We’ve added telecommunications but we’ve also added five of the top shipping carriers in the country. We’re the only retailer in Canada that has that . . . So adding Amazon Returns was a natural fit. We already had the logistics, the infrastructure, the operating processes and the talent in our stores. It was a great strategic fit for us as we start to think about how we serve our communities and continuing to round out that offering.
“If these customers come into our stores, and absolutely there is an overlap between Staples and Amazon . . .if these customers come in and are existing loyal customers and enjoy greater convenience as a result of that, great. We’re happy to do that. If customers who haven’t shopped us before are now having a chance to discover us, that’s great. And if customers who haven’t seen us in a few years now get the chance to rediscover who we are and see all the amazing new things we have in store for them, that’s a win as well.
“So it’s consistent with our strategy, we have the right capabilities to execute against it, and of course we want to wow every customer that comes through our door.”
Amazon said it offers more than 4,000 drop-off options in Canada, including Staples and Purolator, and select Couche-Tard and Canada Post locations.
Amazon customers can return items at Staples stores after generating a QR code by visiting the Amazon.ca “Your Orders” page online or in the mobile app, clicking “Return or Replace Items”, and following the prompts. Customers then bring eligible items to the drop-off location in the original manufacturer’s packaging, for it to be packed and shipped at no extra cost, said Amazon.
