Staples Velocity Lab Now Open in Cambridge, MA as Company Focuses on Online Growth

Staples Velocity Lab Now Open in Cambridge, MA as Company Focuses on Online Growth

The goal of the new corporate location is to support innovation and bring breakthrough ideas in internet technologies to market quickly.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Staples, the world’s second-largest e-commerce company, today unveiled its new Velocity Lab, located in the heart of Massachusetts’ Kendall Square Innovation District in Cambridge. The lab is home to teams responsible for designing and implementing innovative e-commerce and mobile solutions across Staples’ global business units to better serve the millions of customers who shop online and in Staples stores around the world.

Velocity Lab can accommodate up to 75 associates and features an open floor plan, collaborative spaces, telepresence capabilities and hospitality options for visiting employees and guests. Staples is committed to not only finding the world’s best e-commerce and IT talent, but also creating an environment for them that stimulates innovation and creative thinking.

Staples recently announced that it is executing a strategic plan to better serve its customers and accelerate growth. Staples will integrate its retail and online offerings and increase investments in online and mobile capabilities to provide business customers with a seamless omni-channel shopping experience.

“Staples is investing to deliver a better omnichannel shopping experience by leveraging our websites, mobile assets and stores,” said Brian Tilzer, senior vice president of global e-commerce at Staples. “The Staples Velocity Lab is critical to the growth of our e-commerce assets because it provides a space where our teams can think creatively to enhance our mobile commerce, social media and online offerings.”

Staples also uses Velocity Lab to host student groups from top area universities to collaborate on research and innovation projects, further strengthening the company’s connection to the culture of innovation and technology in Metro Boston.

As a leader in delivering online and mobile shopping experiences, Staples was one of the first retailers to offer a dedicated tablet site, t.staples.com. It also offers shoppers the convenience of an award-winning smartphone app and mobile site, m.staples.com. Staples’ online store, Staples.com, has 3 million unique online visitors per week and an expanded product assortment. Staples is also well-versed in social media, with a presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest. The company also recently launched a new global job site that lets you choose your language and location so you can connect with Staples-branded businesses around the world, and is optimized for mobile devices.

Staples plans to triple its e-commerce and IT workforce by 2014 and is adding product management, usability and creative positions as it continues to invest in an omnichannel customer experience across mobile, desktop and in-store. E-commerce and IT professionals are encouraged to visit the Staples careers website to see available opportunities in the new Cambridge office.

About Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office supplies company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copying and printing, technology, facilities and breakrooms, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in e-commerce sales. Staples employs 88,000 people worldwide and operates in 26 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making life easier for businesses of all sizes and consumers. The company is headquartered outside of Boston. More information about Staples (US: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media. Follow Staples on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/staples and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.

Staples
Mark Cautela, 508-253-3832
[email protected]

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