FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 27, 2009--
Back to school shopping no longer just means pencils and paper. Families
of school children and college students expect to spend $18.3 billion on
electronics this year – including laptops, home computers and cell
phones – accounting for 38 percent of the $47.5 billion that will be
spent on all school supplies, according to National Retail Federation
data. Staples,
Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), the world's largest office products company and
top retail destination for back to school, offers not only a great
selection of the latest tech products, but also a full range of repair
and support services from Staples® EasyTechSM.
This year, Staples is making it easy for students to go back to school
with great deals on the latest laptops, desktops and more from leading
brands such as HP, Dell, Toshiba, Sony and Acer. Among the values at
Staples are the Dell Inspiron 15.6” Notebook Computer (at times
as low as $549, everyday low price $699), pre-loaded with Microsoft®
Office Home and Student software for added convenience and the Acer
14.1” Timeline Notebook (at times as low as $549, everyday low price
$699), thin and light for easy transport to and from class. Staples
carries a full range of laptops and desktops from the leading brands to
address the needs of students and help them find the right computer at
the right price.
With the purchase of any new computer, parents and students will receive
more than $500 in coupons offering savings opportunities for wireless
networking, printers, accessories and more. Additionally, Staples is
offering savings opportunities on Microsoft® Office Home and Student
2007, with $20 instant savings and free installation; and Norton 360,
with 50 percent off and free installation. For a limited time, customers
can save by purchasing both Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 and
Norton 360 together for the low price of $119, with installation
included.
“Computers are a necessity for today’s students and shoppers are looking
for technology values that will help them maximize their budgets to
afford everything their children need for going back to school,” said
Jevin Eagle, Staples executive vice president of merchandising and
marketing. “At Staples, we’re not only providing great discounts on our
newest selection of computers, but Staples EasyTech also offers a full
range of protection and services to keep computers running smoothly
throughout the school year.”
When shopping for a new laptop or desktop computer for back to school,
service packages are important for ensuring that students have the
protection they need, especially when they are away from home. For
parents sending new students off to college, Staples has a Free Year
of Protection (4 years of tech service and protection for the price
of 3), including 100 percent parts and labor coverage and one-time
replacement if a laptop cannot be repaired. Staples is also currently
offering a Semester of Service package ($99.99) with 6 months of
unlimited online support, including virus and spyware removal, PC
tune-ups and more.
Staples also has the latest in technology gear and accessories to get
students ready for the back to school season. The BUILT® Hoodie
Laptop Case ($39.99), available in black and micro dot patterns,
extends the life of computers by protecting them from nicks and dents
when transporting computers to and from school and study groups.
Students can transport files, pictures and more with the Omnitech
Color Changing USB Flash Drive ($9.99). With a 2GB storage capacity,
the drive changes color from red to orange or blue to purple through
heat transfer. The Microsoft® 3000 wireless optical notebook mouse
(at times as low as $19.99, everyday low price $29.99) comes in a
variety of colors, letting students express their own personal style.
The Logitech® QuickCam® Communicate MP™ webcam (at times as low
as $39.99, everyday low price $52.99) lets college students upload
videos and stay connected with friends and family through easy video
calling capabilities.
The National Retail Federation survey found that families of school
children are expected to spend an average of $167.84 on electronics this
year, or 30.6 percent of their anticipated $548.72 spending for all
school supplies. College student’s families are expected to spend an
average of $266.08 on electronics, or 43 percent of their anticipated
total of $618.12 on school supply spending.
To see the all-new assortment of the latest laptops, netbooks and
desktops from all the best brands for back to school or to learn more
about Staples EasyTech services, visit www.staples.com/computers.
For additional information on Staples EasyTech services, visit www.staples.com/techservices.
See store for details for terms and conditions around Free Year of
Protection and Semester of Service package offers.
About Staples
Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to
making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products,
including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With
2008 sales of $23 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples
serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout
North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008,
Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world's leading suppliers
of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the
office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston.
More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
Source: Staples, Inc.
Tilson Communications
Jackie Guzman, 561-998-1995
jguzman@tilsonpr.com
or
Staples,
Inc.
Mark Crowley, 508-253-0767
mark.crowley@staples.com
