Staples Helps Small Business Owners Get Ahead in the New Year

Survey shows small business owners’ top priorities for 2013

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many small business owners are feeling overworked heading into 2013 with 61 percent wishing they could shed the backroom administrative tasks, according to the 7^th Annual National Small Business Survey conducted by Staples Inc., the world’s largest office products company and second largest internet retailer in the world.

“Staples makes it easy for small businesses to run their business by offering them the most innovative products and services.”

“At Staples, our goal is to help small business customers focus on what they do best,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of retail marketing for Staples. “Staples makes it easy for small businesses to run their business by offering them the most innovative products and services.”

Organization will play a key role in small business owners’ goals for the New Year to help keep their companies growing and productive:

• 69 percent wish they could focus all of their attention on their actual business and leave the daily tasks to someone else
• 83 percent of small business owners are solely responsible for organizing their companies
• While 70 percent use technology to keep them organized, 62 percent admit they don’t necessarily use technology to decrease clutter
• Almost 20 percent don’t shred confidential material- the leading reason being it’s just easier to throw materials away

Keeping up with the latest technology will be an important factor in how small businesses plan to get ahead in 2013:

• Nearly half of respondents will upgrade their operating systems this year to help their businesses grow for the future
• 66 percent of owners admit it is challenging to keep up with the constant technology changes
• Two thirds of respondents also note that these technological advances have caused them to change how they operate their business on a daily basis

Staples Makes it Easy for Small Business Owners

To help small businesses to meet their increasing demands of running their business, Staples offers a wide variety of products and services. From the latest in computers, wireless printers and tech accessories, to small business services such as Staples Copy & Print and the Staples Rewards program, Staples makes it easy for small business owners to achieve success. Additionally at every U.S. Staples store, EasyTech associates provide customers technology services that range from new computer set-up, hardware and software installations, data transfer and security, repair and troubleshooting.

About the Survey

For the 7^th year, Staples conducted an Internet survey among small-business owners and senior executives. The survey was developed by Staples and conducted by Decision Analyst, Inc. in Arlington, TX. Decision Analyst surveyed by Internet a nationally representative random sample of 500 owners and executives of American businesses having no more than 20 employees. All respondents were members of American Consumer Opinion® online, Decision Analyst’s proprietary Internet-based consumer-opinion panel with over 7,500,000 members globally. Interviews were conducted from November 13 to November 19, 2012. Such a sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. For more information about American Consumer Opinion® online, please visit www.acop.com.

About Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office products company and second largest internet retailer. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media. Follow Staples on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/staples and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.