Staples vs. Office Depot: How the Two Stack Up

Both chains come under the microscope now that talks of a merger have emerged.

By
SUSANNA KIM
February 4, 2015, 3:31 PM ET
5 min read

— -- Staples is acquiring Office Depot, a merger of two companies so similar it's hard to see how they co-existed in the competitive retail space.

The brick-and-mortar office supply business has been rolling up for a while. Office Depot itself merged with OfficeMax in 2013. Can the American public tell the difference between these retailers?

The office supply retailers face fierce competition, a good deal of it online, from websites like Amazon.

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Staples has not announced its plans for the Office Depot stores, whether it will rename Office Depot stores with its namesake brand and whether the American public can look forward to Office Depot’s annual holiday “Elf Yourself” app (just 330 days to go).

Staples’ corporate headquarters will remain in Framingham, Massachusetts, and Ronald Sargent will continue to serve as Staples’ chairman and CEO.

Here's a brief comparison of the companies and what they sell:

1. Founded

Staples: 1985

Office Depot: 1986

2. Most recent tagline:

Staples: Make more happen

Office Depot: Get it done for less

3. First store

Staples: Brighton, Massachusetts

Office Depot: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

4. Post-it Super Sticky Notes, Cabinet Pack, Rio De Janiero Colors

3-inches by 3-inches, 24 pack:

Staples: $35.49

Office Depot: $20

5. Westcott Titanium Scissors, 2-pack

Staples: $14.79

Office Depot: $21.99

6. Easy button

Staples: Yes

Office Depot: No, but they let you "Elf yourself."