Staples Launches New App Feature for Back-to-School Shoppers

Staples announced yesterday a new beta test available on its mobile iOS app. The new feature enables customers to send a photo of their child’s back-to-school (BTS) list via the Staples Easy System on the app, and a store associate will populate the customer's online shopping cart with the best available items within 24 hours to 48 hours. Once the cart has been populated, users can customize items needed or have the option to buy as is. In addition, they can choose to have the items shipped to a nearby store or directly to their home, simplifying BTS shopping.

Total Retail's Take: Staples is catering to mobile shoppers with this new app feature, a seemingly wise move this BTS season. BTS is the busiest time of the year for Staples, and by introducing a new way to incorporate mobile into the shopping experience, Staples is showing its commitment to becoming a digital-first retailer. (Not to mention change the conversation from its failed merger with Office Depot.) With a new mobile initiative and commitment to ending the gender wage gap, Staples is taking steps in the right direction.