Organizational Resource Management and Business Strategy at Staples Organization - Case Study Example

In regard to Staples organization customers, it is important to note that it serves its customers under its original name in the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, India, Germany, Portugal, Austria, France, Norway, China, and Italy, while it operates subsidiaries in Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, and Argentina. Staples organization’s customers have comprised of large global and national organizations as well as the wholesale and retail customers (Staples, 2012). The organization has highly customized services and products that are aimed at addressing the unique needs of large global and national organizations.

For example, Staples Advantage that operates in most European countries is designed to provide customized services and products to both global and national customers in countries they are operating in (Staples Advantage, 2012). . However, in order to ensure that a widened customer base receives their purchases conveniently and to facilitate convenience and accessibility of its products and services, Staples organization has involved a number of suppliers in its business (Staples, 2012). It is important to point out that there are criteria that have been set by the organization for a company to become its supplier, as well as legal requirements that must be complied with before a company becomes a supplier.

Selection of suppliers is usually based on merit. As already been noted, the Staples organization deals with a wide range of products and services. This is very important considering that it is a listed company and therefore has to enhance its profitability. Staples products include the following: promotional products, technology, office machines, technology, furniture, and business services. These products are available online as well as in Staples stores. In order to boost its sales and enhance profitability, the Staples organization recently launched a new line of products that are designed by Martha Stewart Living Omnnimedia Inc (Dow Jones Newswires, 2012).

Competition in the retail industry dealing with office supply is usually immense because of changing customers’ expectations and increasing demands. The main competitors of the Staples organization are Office Depot Inc. (ODP) and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY). Bloomberg Businessweek (2012) notes that Staples’ capital structure relies on debt level that is comparable to the retail industry norm, that is, at 12.68%, which represents a decline from the previous fiscal year.