OfficeMax has launched
a new smaller concept ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. While most
shopping trips to its full-line office supply stores (averaging 25,000
square feet) are planned, Ink Paper Scissors by OfficeMax is aimed to provide
convenient access for small businesses and home office customers shopping
on the go.
Three stores are being tested in the Seattle area. Each contains about 2,000 of the chain's most popular items, including printer cartridges, pens and shipping supplies, as well as basic technology items such as computer software and flash drives. They also offer self-serve copy services.
The retailer told purchasing.com that while 65 percent of purchasing professionals participating in the 2009 OfficeMax Procurement Performance and Best Practices Benchmark Study said enterprise procurement is involved in the strategic sourcing process for office supplies, another 50 percent said individuals do the actual ordering or buying of office supplies.
"Convenient access to the basic supplies and services that most people need is the name of the game with Ink Paper Scissors," said Ryan Vero, executive vice president and chief merchandizing officer for OfficeMax.
Because of expenses involved
in running larger retail space, "Everyone is looking at smaller footprints
now," Paul Leinwand, vice president of Booz &
Co, told Brandweek. "It's a big theme right now because traffic
is down so dramatically that they can't afford the inventory and labor for
a full store."
Mr. Leinwand also noted that many retail channels are following the fast-food
industry in rolling out kiosks to increase their presence in high traffic
areas where a larger restaurant would be cost prohibitive. Applying this
concept to office supplies is "a way to move forward to create a profitable
retail environment."
Discussion Questions: What do you think of the potential for mini-marts in the office supply space? Do you see this as a more potentially profitable format than large stores?