Staples Business Advantage

What Staples Business Advantage does

Staples Business Advantage is the B2B division of Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, and operating throughout North America via direct B2B sales and an owned e-commerce platform at staplesadvantage.com. The company delivers end-to-end workplace solutions to organizations of all sizes across seven primary verticals — K-12 education, healthcare, federal government, state & local government, higher education, retail, and banking & finance — providing office supplies, breakroom and coffee products, janitorial and facility supplies, technology, furniture, print and marketing services, bulk supplies, and adjacent services such as mail-in electronics recycling and extended-warranty protection plans. Distribution is anchored by a nationwide network of 220 delivery hubs supporting next-day delivery to over 98% of the U.S., with a dedicated team of experts providing account management for enterprise customers and a self-service free business account for smaller buyers.

The core technology layer is a B2B e-commerce platform that integrates with over 170 purchasing platforms, including a first-supplier position on Oracle NetSuite SuiteProcurement via the Oracle Business Network, enabling automated purchase order creation, approval workflows, and real-time spend visibility for enterprise ERP customers. Additional capabilities include the AutoRestock subscription replenishment program, government cooperative contracts accepted in all 50 states, and recurring third-party certifications (NAID AAA, e-Stewards, R2, ISO 14001/45001/9001) supporting the electronics-recycling and regulated-procurement lines. The catalog is organized around multiple sub-brands including Staples TECH, Coastwide Professional, Union & Scale Furniture, TRU RED, and Workplace 2.0.

The business model is primarily transactional B2B distribution augmented by subscription and contract mechanics. Standard pricing is quote-based for contract customers and transactional for the free business account (3% instant savings on orders of $150 or more), with marketing claims of approximately 10% average savings for customers switching from incumbent suppliers. Revenue streams combine one-time office-supply and equipment sales, recurring AutoRestock subscriptions, contract and platform integration services, and ancillary one-time fees for electronics recycling. Go-to-market mixes direct enterprise field sales for large accounts, self-service e-commerce for SMB and individual buyers, and channel/reseller distribution through the 170+ integrated purchasing platforms, most notably Oracle NetSuite SuiteProcurement.

Name

Staples Business Advantage

Legal name

Staples, Inc.

Website

https://staplesadvantage.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Staples Business Advantage is the B2B division of Staples, Inc., delivering end-to-end workplace solutions — office supplies, furniture, breakroom, janitorial, technology, print, and recycling services — to organizations across North America through direct sales, e-commerce, and integration with 170+ purchasing platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

B2B Workplace Procurement and Office Supply Distribution

NAICS

General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers (42441)

SIC

Wholesale-Durable Goods (5000)

akta.pro primary industry

Office, Janitorial & Facility Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAE)

Keywords

• B2B office supplies
• Workplace procurement solutions
• EProcurement integration
• Facility management products
• Breakroom supply services

Headquarters

HQ city

Framingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Office Supplies Sales: Sale of comprehensive workplace solutions including office supplies, breakroom supplies, janitorial products, technology, furniture, and print/marketing services to businesses of all sizes through direct sales and e-commerce.
2. Contract/Purchasing Platform Services: Providing procurement solutions through integration with enterprise purchasing platforms, offering volume discounts and centralized purchasing capabilities to NetSuite and other ERP customers.
3. Electronics Recycling Services: Mail-in recycling services for electronics with certified data destruction, offering various kit sizes for commercial and consumer use.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Staples Business Advantage is the B2B division of Staples, Inc., providing end-to-end workplace solutions to organizations across North America through direct sales, e-commerce, and eProcurement integrations. It sells office supplies, breakroom products, janitorial supplies, technology, furniture, and print/marketing services, supported by a 220-hub delivery network enabling next-day delivery to over 98% of the U.S. and integration with over 170 purchasing platforms.

Product overview

Staples Business Advantage is a B2B e-commerce platform and workplace solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of office supplies, technology products, furniture, breakroom supplies, janitorial products, print/marketing services, and facility solutions. The core platform provides enterprise procurement with integration to over 170 purchasing platforms and next-day delivery to over 98% of the U.S. Key offerings include eProcurement Solutions integrating with Oracle NetSuite SuiteProcurement, Mail-In Recycling Services for electronics, Staples Protection Plans for extended warranties, and specialized Government Procurement Solutions. The company operates sub-brands including Staples TECH, Coastwide Professional, Union & Scale Furniture, TRU RED Business Essentials, and Staples Brand Products. Services include AutoRestock subscription, Digital Catalogs, and the Total Coffee Program for breakroom solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Staples TECH: Technology products and services brand
• Pick Me Up Provisions
• Perk Breakroom Essentials
• Coastwide Professional
• Union & Scale Furniture
• Workplace 2.0 Furniture
• TRU RED Business Essentials

Products and services

• Office Supply Solutions Traditional office supplies for businesses, including writing instruments, paper, binders, organizers, storage solutions, and filing products, sold as a managed supply category to organizations of all sizes.
• Technology Solutions Technology products and services for business buyers, including computers, printers, scanners, networking equipment, electronics, and smart devices.
• Furniture Solutions Office and business furniture offerings including seating, desks, filing cabinets, conference tables, and workspace design services for organizations.
• Breakroom Solutions Breakroom supplies and services for workplaces, including coffee, water, snacks, disposable cutlery, and full breakroom beverage programs.
• Facility Solutions Janitorial and facilities maintenance products including cleaning chemicals, paper products, waste management, and building maintenance supplies for commercial facilities.
• Print & Marketing Services Custom print products for businesses, including document printing, marketing materials, signs, banners, posters, business cards, custom labels and stickers, and direct mail services.
• Mail-In Recycling Services Mail-in electronics recycling program with certified secure data destruction, offering multiple kit sizes for offices and remote locations, certified to NAID AAA, R2, e-Stewards, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 9001 standards.
• Government Procurement Solutions Specialized procurement services for federal, state, and local government agencies, with publicly solicited and awarded cooperative contracts accepted in all 50 states.
• Total Coffee Program Comprehensive coffee and breakroom beverage program for businesses, bundling equipment, supplies, and ongoing service for workplace coffee needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3% instant savings on orders of $150 or more
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Oracle NetSuitecoreTechnology or Integration · 9 January 2025Staples Business Advantage is one of the first suppliers integrated into Oracle NetSuite SuiteProcurement, Oracle's indirect procurement solution powered by Oracle Business Network. The integration offers automated purchase order creation, approval workflows, and real-time spend visibility for NetSuite customers purchasing business essentials through Staples.
• Amazon BusinesscoreTechnology or IntegrationAmazon Business and Staples Business Advantage are the first suppliers integrated into Oracle SuiteProcurement, offering centralized purchasing and volume discounts to NetSuite customers. This partnership provides complementary B2B office supply solutions through the SuiteProcurement platform.
• ERI (Electronic Recyclers International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectronics Recycling Program powered by ERI provides secure recycling solutions for offices and remote locations. ERI is certified by R2, e-Stewards, and NAID to ensure highest standards for regulatory, environmental, and data compliance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Office Depot Business Solutions: Office Depot's B2B division sells office supplies, technology, furniture and janitorial products to enterprises, government and education with comparable nationwide delivery and contract structures. It is the closest traditional-channel competitor to Staples Business Advantage.
• CDW: CDW is a leading B2B distributor of technology products — computers, printers, networking and peripherals — to enterprise, government, healthcare and education customers. It competes directly with the Staples TECH sub-brand and the broader technology category.
• Quill: Quill is a multi-channel office supplies distributor serving SMBs and mid-market customers, with deep healthcare and education vertical exposure. Acquired by Staples, Inc. in 1998, it operates adjacent to Staples Business Advantage within the same parent.
• Amazon Business: Amazon's B2B procurement arm offers office supplies, breakroom, janitorial, technology and furniture to enterprise and SMB customers with deep e-procurement integrations. It is both a direct competitor and a co-integrated supplier on Oracle SuiteProcurement alongside Staples Business Advantage.

Broad incumbents

• McKesson: McKesson is a large healthcare-focused distributor serving hospitals, pharmacies and physician offices with medical and operational supplies. It overlaps with Staples Business Advantage in healthcare procurement, including medical supplies and facility products.
• Sysco: Sysco is the largest U.S. foodservice distributor, supplying restaurants, healthcare and education with breakroom and food-related consumables. It overlaps with Staples Business Advantage's breakroom solutions and foodservice-adjacent verticals.
• Grainger: Grainger is a broad-line industrial and facility maintenance distributor with a national branch network, deep e-procurement integrations and extensive MRO product coverage. It overlaps with Staples Business Advantage in facility/janitorial categories and competes for enterprise indirect-spend budgets.
• HD Supply Holdings: HD Supply distributes facility maintenance, repair and operations products to multifamily, hospitality and institutional customers. It competes with Staples Business Advantage in facility solutions and janitorial categories for institutional buyers.
• Henry Schein: Henry Schein distributes healthcare and dental supplies, equipment and practice solutions to office-based practitioners. It competes with Staples Business Advantage in the healthcare vertical for medical-grade supplies and practice operations.

Emerging players

• Imperial Dade: Imperial Dade is a privately held foodservice and janitorial distribution platform with nationwide coverage. It competes with Staples Business Advantage in breakroom and facility solutions, particularly for institutional and contract foodservice buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Staples Business Advantage