Staples Canada is partnering with Canada Post to bring Canada Post Small Business Shipping Services to select retail locations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
Customers including small-medium sized businesses can now access these Canada Post services at nine locations in Ontario. Additional participating stores will launch in the coming weeks.
“Small businesses need convenient, flexible solutions that help them serve their customers and manage their day-to-day operations efficiently,” said Ryan Mair, Chief Services Officer, Staples Canada. “By adding Canada Post to our existing suite of shipping services, we’re making it even easier for entrepreneurs and growing businesses to access the carrier and support they need, all in one place.
With the addition of Canada Post Small Business Shipping Services, the retailer said customers can access convenient solutions, including domestic and international shipping, pre-labelled parcel drop-off, and the purchase of flat-rate boxes, envelopes and postage stamps.
As a leading destination for shipping services, the company said it already provides customers with convenient access to FedEx, Purolator, DHL and UPS. The addition of Canada Post further expands these offerings, giving small businesses access to the country’s most comprehensive network of shipping solutions in one convenient location.
To learn more about shipping services at Staples, visit staples.ca/ship.
The retailer is a Canadian company headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, with about 300 stores across Canada and staples.ca, printing and shipping services at Staples Print, and Staples Studio co-working spaces.
In an interview with Retail Insider, Mair talked about the new initiative.
Question: What prompted Staples Canada to partner with Canada Post, and how does this fit into your broader strategy for serving small business customers?
Answer: Small businesses are looking for choice, convenience and value. Over the past five years, Staples has positioned itself as Canada’s only multi-carrier shipping destination. By partnering with Canada Post, we’re expanding the shipping options available in our stores, further strengthening our commitment to provide convenient, accessible shipping solutions for small and growing businesses in communities across Canada.
Q: Why was now the right time to add Canada Post alongside existing shipping partners like FedEx, Purolator, DHL and UPS, and what gap does it fill?
A: We are continually evolving our services based on the needs of our customers. Adding Canada Post, a trusted and widely used shipping provider, complements our existing carrier network and gives customers more options in one convenient location. Alongside FedEx, Purolator, DHL and UPS, it makes it easier for customers to choose the shipping solution that best meets their needs – whether they prioritize convenience, coverage, value or speed.
Q: What are you hearing from small business customers about their shipping needs today, and how do you expect this new offering to improve their experience?
A: Small businesses consistently tell us that they want easy, convenient solutions that help them save time and money. Adding Canada Post small business shipping services gives them another trusted shipping option and makes it easier to manage multiple business needs in a single visit when they come into a Staples store.
We’re also seeing the needs of entrepreneurs evolve. More micro-businesses, home-based businesses, and side-giggers are selling through a variety of online marketplaces, social platforms, and their own e-commerce sites. These businesses need flexible, convenient shipping solutions that can keep up with their customers’ expectations for reliable delivery. By adding Canada Post small business shipping services to our existing shipping portfolio, we’re giving these sellers more choice, greater convenience, and a simple way to manage fulfillment close to where they live and work. Ultimately, it’s about helping Canadian small businesses spend less time on logistics and more time growing their business.
Q: Do you see this partnership driving more traffic to Staples stores, and are there opportunities to cross-sell other business services such as printing, technology, office supplies or coworking?
A: Our focus is always on delivering value and convenience to our customers. Our shipping services often bring business customers to our stores, where they can also access other services like printing, technology support and workplace solutions, helping them accomplish more in one visit.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see Staples Canada’s shipping and business services evolving, and are there plans to expand Canada Post Small Business Shipping Services to more locations or introduce additional offerings?
A: We’re a trusted partner to Canadian small businesses. Through our broad services ecosystem, national store network and omni-channel approach, we stay closely connected to entrepreneurs and business owners, which helps us understand their evolving needs and where we can add value. Our partnership with Canada Post is a great example of that approach, strengthening our ability to provide convenient, trusted business services in the communities we serve. As we continue to prove out the model, we’re eager to explore opportunities to expand the partnership across more locations and further enhance the solutions we offer to help Canadian businesses grow and succeed.
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