Staples Closings in Metro Detroit?

**313WX** · August-26-14, 07:50 AM

From the Huffington Post:

"Staples Is Closing A Ton Of Stores

The company, facing stiff competition from mass merchants such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and online retailers such as Amazon.com Inc, said in March it would close 140 of its underperforming North America stores this year.

Staples said on Wednesday it closed 80 of these stores in the second quarter ended Aug. 2."

Does anyone know if any of these store closings are in Metro Detroit?

Also, how's the store on Jefferson doing? It would be a shame for it to be one of the stores that go...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5694418.html

**animatedmartian** · August-26-14, 10:45 AM

It wasn't a Staples, but I went to an Office Max in Sterling Heights and that place was empty. The most recent Staples I've been to is in Grosse Pointe on Mack. Had decent foot traffic, but kind of light for an electronics store [[by comparison, every time I go to Microcenter, there's a long line at the registers). All these companies are probably going to follow the way of Circuit City so I'm not surprised by these mass closings.

**Honky Tonk** · August-26-14, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

It wasn't a Staples, but I went to an Office Max in Sterling Heights and that place was empty. The most recent Staples I've been to is in Grosse Pointe on Mack. Had decent foot traffic, but kind of light for an electronics store [[by comparison, every time I go to Microcenter, there's a long line at the registers). All these companies are probably going to follow the way of Circuit City so I'm not surprised by these mass closings.

Boy, for a guy who feels "uncomfortable because he looks different", you sure seem to spend a lot of time in GP.

**animatedmartian** · August-26-14, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Boy, for a guy who feels "uncomfortable because he looks different", you sure seem to spend a lot of time in GP.

Lol, like I said in that thread, it was just a one time instance at that Kroger. Can't really help it since I kinda live close to GP anyway.

**Honky Tonk** · August-26-14, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Lol, like I said in that thread, it was just a one time instance at that Kroger. Can't really help it since I kinda live close to GP anyway.

Just yanking your chain, carry on.

**motz** · August-26-14, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

It wasn't a Staples, but I went to an Office Max in Sterling Heights and that place was empty. The most recent Staples I've been to is in Grosse Pointe on Mack. Had decent foot traffic, but kind of light for an electronics store [[by comparison, every time I go to Microcenter, there's a long line at the registers). All these companies are probably going to follow the way of Circuit City so I'm not surprised by these mass closings.

The problem is that a lot of these stores have really weird markups and mediocre prices compared to, say, Amazon or Target. Microcenter [[which I used to work for) has low priced crap, middle-of-the-road stuff and some highend stuff, but focuses on volume of lower priced goods to help boost profits. They are adapting to the new landscape of retail, while Wal Mart, Staples, etc seem to think operating as if this was 1995 is totally acceptable.

**animatedmartian** · August-26-14, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by motz

The problem is that a lot of these stores have really weird markups and mediocre prices compared to, say, Amazon or Target. Microcenter [[which I used to work for) has low priced crap, middle-of-the-road stuff and some highend stuff, but focuses on volume of lower priced goods to help boost profits. They are adapting to the new landscape of retail, while Wal Mart, Staples, etc seem to think operating as if this was 1995 is totally acceptable.

I totally agree. That Office Max I went to had no selection of mice. It was like the dollar store of electronics, but of course nothing was a dollar. Even their office furniture selection just seemed like some random desk and a couple of generic chairs. Even the candy in the checkout area was marked up higher than other places. These companies are pretty much running themselves out of business.

**Danny** · August-26-14, 11:57 AM

Staples closing 80 means a ton a property waste! That is corporate competition.

**jackie5275** · August-26-14, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

I totally agree. That Office Max I went to had no selection of mice. It was like the dollar store of electronics, but of course nothing was a dollar. Even their office furniture selection just seemed like some random desk and a couple of generic chairs. Even the candy in the checkout area was marked up higher than other places. These companies are pretty much running themselves out of business.

You must've been to the location on Ford near Southfield. I went in there a couple of weeks ago to buy school supplies based on their ad. What a dump!

**EastsideAl** · August-26-14, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by jackie5275

You must've been to the location on Ford near Southfield. I went in there a couple of weeks ago to buy school supplies based on their ad. What a dump!

This is the other problem with Staples [[beyond running themselves into the ground on an increasingly outmoded business model), there is a significant variation in how well the stores are run and stocked. That one on Ford Rd. is particularly bad.

The one near me on E. Jefferson is actually pretty decent, and has actually improved a bit I think recently [[although their stock is sometimes pretty thin). But still, their proximity in the retail-poor city when I need to instantly obtain office supplies, etc. is the main reason I go there rather than just order online. And I do believe in supporting stores, even chains, that operate in the City of Detroit.

It would be a shame if they closed that store, but comparing its rather light traffic to the somewhat more patronized Mack store, I can see why it might go.

**Zacha341** · August-28-14, 05:47 AM

Good points and what's up with the mark-up on candy? Like who can't see thru that. Course the incentive plan for used toner is ok. I best make sure my cash-backs are up to date and used before they mail it in! When I want variety on electronics I go to Microcenter.

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

I totally agree. That Office Max I went to had no selection of mice. It was like the dollar store of electronics, but of course nothing was a dollar. Even their office furniture selection just seemed like some random desk and a couple of generic chairs. Even the candy in the checkout area was marked up higher than other places. These companies are pretty much running themselves out of business.

**Hermod** · August-28-14, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Good points and what's up with the mark-up on candy? Like who can't see thru that. Course the incentive plan for used toner is ok. I best make sure my cash-backs are up to date and used before they mail it in! When I want variety on electronics I go to Microcenter.

The sales of candy by Staples/Office Depot and Lowes/Home Depot are just opportunistic sales like the old candy and gum section in the office of the traditional gas/service station. You don't go there for the candy so they mark it up just like 7-11 or a movie theater. It is an impulse buy. If you want to buy candy, go to Walmart/Costco/BJs and buy it in bulk for the lowest price.

**mtburb** · August-26-14, 11:04 AM

They better not close the one on Outer Drive in Allen Park.

**jackie5275** · August-26-14, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by mtburb

They better not close the one on Outer Drive in Allen Park.

I doubt it. They seem to have a lot of traffic there and is nicer than the one on Mich Ave in Dearborn.

**Johnnny5** · August-26-14, 11:27 AM

I only go to Staples when they are basically giving things away [[Which is surprisingly often). The last couple times I bought reams of paper they included rebates for $25 Visa gift cards and the paper was only $22. Amazon can't beat that, but it's a lousy way to keep the doors open.

**canuck** · August-26-14, 11:59 AM

My son works at a Staples here in Montreal [[Bureau en gros) and he says most of the time the store is empty. despite this, they stock up their backstore with stuff for this time of year. The back to school period is their Holiday rush really. Everything else is very weak gravy. I think that the parent rush to buy school supplies coupled with teachers dropping by with petty cash in the hundreds from allotted school budgets makes for pretty good business for august september.

I just bought my younger son a macbook with the older son's employee rebate... Can't complain.

**jackie5275** · August-26-14, 12:13 PM

Staples, from what I can see from their website, is changing to something else like I don't know what. It's offering all kinds of non-office type things like clothing, pet supplies, travel accessories, fitness items, party supplies, outdoors & recreation items. I guess it has to change to compete, but there's a certain amount of non-congruence there.

**Blueidone** · August-27-14, 07:06 PM

Staples has always carried these items, but in limited quantity. The story I heard on the radio said that they are just changing their strategy to try and garner more business.

I always preferred Staples over OfficeMax/OfficeDepot. I owned my own secretarial/bookkeeping business and brought from them frequently; not so much now that I am mostly retired. Too me, their staff was more helpful and courteous than any other office supply store, except maybe Gail's when it was in Birmingham...but the prices were much higher there too.

I sure hope they keep most of the Staples open...particulary the store in Roseville at Masonic and Gratiot. They were great to me over the years!

**Scottathew** · August-26-14, 12:24 PM

I don't understand why stores like Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max still exist. I get all that kind of stuff either online or at Meijer. I don't feel like paying a premium for a better selection.

**Downriviera** · August-26-14, 08:45 PM

Sounds like we'll be having more Halloween Superstores.

**DTWflyer** · August-28-14, 09:28 AM

Staples and Office Depot do a significant amount of wholesale and distribution business direct to offices. Staples build that distribution center at Southfield & M-10 maybe 10 years ago specifically to direct-deliver to office buildings.

The stores are quickly becoming obsolete along with the move with everything becoming digital/on-line/electronic based documents. The stores primarily service residential customers, small businesses, home businesses, etc.

They don't even do a good job with their "holiday rush". My wife and I live right by an Office Depot and walked over there the other evening to pick-up some mailing supplies [[she runs her own business). Completely forgot that it was back-to-school season, and every parent and kid from the area was in their buying stuff. They had ONE cashier open at 8pm and there about 25 people in line. We walked out of there since it was a waste of time to wait around.

**RO_Resident** · August-28-14, 09:48 AM

Office Depot and Office Max recently merged. Their Sunday ad is now cobranded. Surprised they haven't started culling stores... yet.

**jiminnm** · August-28-14, 09:58 AM

Staples owns the online office supply site quill.com. I have purchased many things from quill because their prices are excellent and the items arrive very quickly.