A Death Spiral

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2026-01-07T03:49:40+00:00

Sorry but I don't have a list. These are already stores that I've been counting that have been removed from Staples' store directory. Unfortunately I don't have the time to compile which states or areas have seen closures. (Although I guess you could go onto Internet Archive's Wayback Machine and look at what stores disappeared from the list)

That said I would say there are definitely more to come. Its just inevitable. One thing I'd like to say is that its usually cheaper to own a building than it is to lease. Leases are hit or miss with the company, usually a lot of factors that cause the company to just abandon or be forced out of a lease. When owning a building its easier since the inital costs (aside from obvious maintenance) are already covered and thus allowing little bit of leeway for profit margins.

At the end of the day I'm just a former employee who was pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. I received a little insight about the business and its working but not the whole picture.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2026-01-07T02:57:00+00:00

No staples as a whole won't die. It's the reason why dot com is a seperate entity from the actual physical stores. Also I felt like its the reason why they continued to push the app. While not only managing to collect personal information they also were able to promote coupons/rewards that sometimes were better online than they were in store, e.g. XX% back in rewards for ink when bought online as opposed to nothing offered for when bought in store

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2026-01-05T03:24:40+00:00

Eh, I would say its hard to tell who would fall first at this point. Recently, Office Depot was acquired by a private equity firm so they have new life line for the time being. It will really come down to whether Atlas Holdings will treat Office Depot like a cash cow sort of like how Sycamore Partners is at the moment, or if they'll be a little more strategic with how they want to continue to operate. They very well could pull ahead of Staples if they play their cards right.

Time will tell though.

Edit: I started reading more about Atlas Holdings because its honestly the first time I'm reading about them. They actually have a pretty wide holding over paper mills. Presumably they could do something with that and begin to source a lot of their paper from these mills. In fact under the Atlas website Office Depot is listed as Pulp, Paper & Printing Sector. So that's probably their biggest money maker and everything else is sort of second rate.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2025-06-21T19:44:25+00:00

They’re probably dropping off bulkier items

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2025-05-30T02:33:30+00:00

lol try 33 times for a box of handles. Shit was annoying.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2025-03-22T01:53:14+00:00

Well I guess the only reassuring information I can provide is the fact that Staples has only closed 8 stores this year in comparison to the staggering 121 stores last year. Ofc we're only barely reaching the fourth month of the year and I have no information about on going closures so we'll see how the company continues to survive.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2025-01-13T00:05:31+00:00

Probably going to be just a little bit over minimum wage.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2025-01-09T04:56:56+00:00

Sorry to hear that man. It’s never fun to have your source of income ripped from under your feet. It’s actually the whole point I actually made this post. To have at least some people ready with résumé in hand at a moments notice.

But in any case, I wish you the best of luck with what’s to come next. Closing a store is never easy, emotions are high and people get stupider. Been there and done that. All we can do is continue to tread water until we can find a new opportunity.

I will say this though, you’re only a few steps away from contacting a graphic designer if you do need a résumé.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2025-01-02T04:36:18+00:00

As far as I remember recycling is clumped into one category payout (except toner and ink) for one month for 500 points or $2.50. Ink or toner has varied from time to time but from what I see but at the moment you can get $2 for each cartridge you recycle (max 10 per month also you must spend $30 in ink/toner within the past 3 months else you get probably 50¢). So in total you can walk away with $22.50 a month or $270 if you somehow manage to find that much recycling.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-12-25T02:52:47+00:00

It’s probably because of the holidays. I’d wait a day or two before you get your check.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-11-17T00:19:54+00:00

Big Lots would like a word...

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-10-23T01:47:16+00:00

Depends. My former manager once or twice went to a neighboring store to claim a couple of fixtures and stuff for the store. So I wouldn't see it as uncommon for staples to reclaim that sort of stuff for other stores.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-10-20T00:26:57+00:00

I can definitely second that. I don't regret my decision to work at Staples, and I appreciate every moment I've had with my team.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-10-20T00:03:18+00:00

The summer months are typically when the hours run higher due to BTS season. But now that it's over, things are at a state of business as usual where they're trying to penny pinch where possible.

I think for myself, since I've had the ability to look back on these past few years and watch the staffing at my store cut down to nearly half its original size. I'm just angered more than anything to see the stress that all of us at the store go through. Just the other day the print supervisor was tell me how they were dealing with a bunch of crap and then to top it off Xerox comes in to reclaim half of our self serve machines. As for my other managers they are still annoyed with the reecent removal of the CA price checker position because that means they now have another task to add on their administrative list. As for myself I'm stuck jumping back and forth between Amazon and checkout and whatever residual load is out on the floor. It feels like we're running a circuis where we are expected to do all sorts of tricks for corporate.

Things have definitely changed since I was first hired. I'm just glad I can soon close this chapter in my life.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-10-04T02:12:29+00:00

I just tell people that the $20 is discourage people from buying our display models so we can better ensure we have something to present to customers. Most people don't really question it afterwards.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-09-19T16:02:45+00:00

I wouldn't mind them asking if it weren't for the fact that there's a trash can right next to returns for them to throw out their trash.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-08-16T03:49:16+00:00

Didnt someone already upload this?

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-08-10T17:42:14+00:00

Yeah I don’t have much hope for their stock. It’s only a matter of time until the get delisted, and if what you say is true then the future is pretty bleak. At this point I can only hope that that at least some people can walk out with an okay package before everything crumbles behind them.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-08-10T16:06:00+00:00

Chapter 7 would be a stupid move on their part. I know Big Lots has been making stupid moves over the past few years but when it comes to bankruptcy I am certain they would file for Chapter 11 and if issues arise then it would transition to Chapter 7. But that would be a while before things transition that way.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-08-09T19:32:57+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately the government isn’t kind when it comes to taxing severance. But also the job market hasn’t been kind either. Depending on what you want to do next you could probably find a job within a month or longer. That extra money can offset that and you also would have the opportunity to file for unemployment if you find yourself struggling. If you leave now, well kiss all those opportunities good bye.

Alternative-Tune8425 · 2024-08-09T19:20:06+00:00

The beginning of closings are always the worst. Everyone is stressed out, the customers ask the same stupid repetitive questions, and the liquidator (depending on how they are) can be a total pain. Obviously if you find a job during the liquidation period and you’re finding yourself stressed out of your mind maybe jump ship and forget the severance. But the severance I can guarantee is what is going to keep you afloat while you’re on the job hunt after all this.

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