| Staples Canada ULC | |
| Type: | Private |
| Num Stores: | 299 |
| Key People: | Rachel Huckle (CEO) Evelyn Sutherland (CFO) Priscilla Luna (CCO) Brian McDougall (CRO) Andrew Go (CDO) Lance Martel (CIO) |
| Products: | Technology (Computers/Business Machines/Entertainment), Furniture, Office Supplies, Copy and Print Services, Tech Services, School Supplies, Legal Supplies, Facility Supplies, Wireless |
| Num Employees: | 15,000+ |
| Owner: | Sycamore Partners |
| Former Names: | The Business Depot (1991–1994) Staples Business Depot (1994–2008) |
| Founder: | Jack Bingleman |
| Location: | Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada |
Staples Canada ULC, operating as Staples (Bureau en Gros in Quebec),[1] is a Canadian retail sales company owned by Sycamore Partners.[2] Staples was founded by Leo Kahn[3] and Thomas G. Stemberg.[4] Since 2017, Staples Canada has operated independently from Staples' U.S. retail and U.S. business-to-business (B2B) operations.
The Business Depot Ltd. was founded by Jack Bingleman in 1991, with Staples as a substantial investor, opening Business Depot stores in Canada.[5] The American counterpart acquired the Canadian company in 1994.[6] The company later began converting locations in English-speaking markets to Staples.[7] In 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express.[8] In 2017, Staples was acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $6.9 billion. Under the new owner, Staples Inc. was split into three "independently managed and capitalized" entities; Staples Canada serves as one of these entities, alongside Staples North American Delivery and Staples U.S. Retail.[9] [10] [11]
In 2024, some ServiceOntario locations will be closed and replaced with kiosks inside Staples Canada.[12] These stores will be compensated with taxpayer money for upgrades required to provide these services, at an estimated cost of 1.75 million dollars.[13] The Ontario New Democratic Party has criticized the Ford government for this decision.[14] A request was made to the Financial Accountability Office by the Liberal Party in regards to the deal.[15] These kiosks are a pilot project intended to reduce wait times and increase availability of services, with further partnerships with other businesses being investigated.[16] Two Walmart stores will also replace standalone ServiceOntario locations.[17] Ford has compared the situation to how some Canada Post offices operate inside Shopper's Drug Mart locations.[13]