Staples Doubles Down On SMB Price Match Policy

In the fight between in-store retailers and their digital counterparts for customers’ wallets, it’s more often than not the former that sets the pace with pricing and discounts. However, Staples is taking pains to make sure that it can compete — and then some — with its biggest online rivals.

The office supply retailer announced Monday (Dec. 28) that it would be instituting a new price match policy starting with the new year. Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of North American stores and online marketing at Staples, explained that the company’s new 110 percent Price Match Guarantee for small business owners would help them compete more effectively, while still offering customers the utmost confidence in their Staples purchases.

“The New Year is a crucial time for business owners, and Staples is helping our small business customers make more happen with a broad assortment of products at the lowest prices, expanded business services and easy ways to shop,” Corcoran said in a statement. “At Staples, we have 30 years of experience helping small businesses succeed, and we’re thrilled to build on that history with the back-to-business 110 percent Price Match Guarantee and Business Less List.”

In an effort to be seen as more of a one-stop shop for small business owners, Staples will also be be launching the first of many initiatives under its #MoreSmallBiz Squad brand, a program that will bring entrepreneurs and SMB experts together on social media to interact with customers who have burning eCommerce or brick-and-mortar retail questions. The initiative’s first event will take place Jan. 7, with Chris Brogan, Melissa Stewart and Melinda Emerson all participating in a Twitter chat and taking questions from the public.

Making #MoreSmallBiz work is the difficult part of transitioning Staples into a holistic business-centric brand, but if all else fails, an extra 10 percent back on price-matched purchases should draw at least a few small business owners in the meantime.