Facing strong demand for home office products and services, multichannel merchant Staples is seeking new suppliers who can help it offer new things that appeal to its work-at-home customers.

Staples Connect—a Staples program that focuses on providing products and resources to small businesses, entrepreneurs, teachers and students—will launch its first virtual, face-to-face event on Feb. 8, 2021, for a select group of suppliers to meet with the buyers who purchase products and services to sell online at StaplesConnect.com and in Staples stores.

Staples is calling the Feb. 8 event the Staples Connect Breakthrough Project.

Brian Coupland, senior vice president, retail merchandising, Staples U.S. Retail

To join that select group, suppliers must submit product proposals by Dec. 9 and compete for a spot at the Feb. 8 virtual event. Suppliers can submit their proposals on a Breakthrough Project website hosted by RangeMe, a company that provides an online platform where product suppliers can list their products for review by potential buyers at retailers, including national and regional chains. Staples hasn’t publicized how many suppliers will be able to participate on Feb. 8.

“The goal of the Staples Connect Breakthrough Project is to develop a strong set of new, unique and innovative Working and Learning products and services to offer our customers who are experiencing a shift in the way they work and learn,” says Brian Coupland, senior vice president, retail merchandising, Staples U.S. Retail. “With a strategy rooted in community and connection, The Staples Connect Breakthrough Project is just another step in helping local businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs succeed through a lasting partnership.

StaplesConnect.com features a range of office products and services and educational content in such areas as running small businesses and equipping school classrooms.

Staples is owned by investment firm Sycamore Partners, which also owns business products distributor Essendant.

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