Filed under: Bad news, Products and services, Competitive strategy, Staples Inc (SPLS)

Walletpop (our sister site) blogger, Geoff Williams recently examined a new marketing strategy undertaken by Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS). The company wants to make you and your office “fashionable”. Unfortunately, it appears that it has hired the wrong marketing firm to handle the task.

I cite as example this one whimsical little marketing blurb from Geoff’s blog post. In attempting to get you to purchase fashionable binder clips, Staples has this to state about some retro look clips they’ve to offer: “It’s the look of a bygone era with a decidedly modern flair.”

Are they kidding? Does Staples think it’s marketing argyle knee socks?

There’s a whiff of desperation when a company totally departs from common sense in advertising. Personally, I’ve no use for toner cartridges which compliment my eyes. If the day ever comes when Staples begins to offer office mail carts with ground effects and spinner rims, I’d say we’re just one baby doll lab coat away from seeing Staples close it’s doors.

Gary Sattler is a freelance blogger. He does not knowingly have investment interest in the companies mentioned in this blog post

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Share This

Share This

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 5:24 pm and is filed under Companies Competitive Strategy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.