Tell me and be frank!
8 replies (most recent on top)
We want Staples.com to be the first hit on all searches on Google,
HAHAHAHA.
That ain't gonna happen.
Amazon will ALWAYS be first search....always
Here's an example of outdated thinking in this thread: "Carter's sweatpants size 6"... The millennial generation does not purchase like this! If it were that easy, why are ALL clothing retailers with a significant online offering going under? All that matters now is price point and a wide assortment (again Amazon has this sewn up), especially for mass-produced goods from overseas. And an "easy to use website" will not make a lick of difference as anyone anywhere can get a website up and running in less than an hour. Like I said, it is hopeless to pursue the same old avenues of revenue stream. After years of alleged corruption at HO, the only chance that this company has now is to radically alter the power pyramid to be more horizontally integrated, with more reasonable compensation plans and actual incentive to produce. Even a child can see that the leaders of this company are simply looting the place. I wonder if the BoD even cares anymore about the remaining but dwindling margins/profits/revenues overall? We shall see.
It's a lofty but hopeless ambition to revamp the remaining stores and hope for 10% margins on sales of 3rd-party goods. Amazon already does this and better than everyone else. Putting more money and investment into retail stores is flushing money down the toilet. EVERYTHING is cheaper online. The perennially sagging retail sales prove this. Contract and Canada are the ONLY bright spots left and they are entering into recession as we speak. Okay, so the plan is to go after the mid-market. But Advantage already does and is saturated. For Staples right now, it seems to me to be a flawed business model from the old Jack Welch-inspired MBA's and their cohorts who are recruited into the Staples fray from the same business schools. Because in a rapidly changing marketplace such as ours, these MBA's and their outdated business plans will finally and ultimately lead to the demise of this once-great company. Staples is one of many many companies now facing the onslaught of DISRUPTION. When the rate of change EXTERNALLY is faster than the rate of change INTERNALLY, an incumbent business is FINISHED.
Those still trying to make a career of this are hoping not. Plan is to reduce retail square footage to 10mil in the next 4 years. Retal focus will be on modern looking stores, less steel beams, more carpets, curtains, and wood. Stores will have less inventory, with no overheads or brown boxes. Showcase stores if you will, with perimeter walls of typical office supplies. Dotcom will continue to expand offerings with our strong buying power into vacuums, washing machines, nursery furniture, DVD movies, streaming PlayStation game rentals, outdoor furniture, air conditioners, and some 3rd party soft goods. We want Staples.com to be the first hit on all searches on Google, and will become the main channel of advertisement. Let's say a mom searches for Carter's sweatpants size 6. Yes, we've got that. Our cut is 10% on almost all 3rd party goods. Processed through our easy to use website, but packaged, shipped, and warrantied through the vendor. Also watch for medical supplies, tools, tires, and even bicycles.
Frankly my dear...
Yes within 5-7 years if not sooner.
You hear here it first.
Yes.