Case Study: Staples, Inc.

Staples has become the largest office products company in the world, with over $21 billion in sales and approximately 1,300 superstores. Working with both Fortune 500 companies and home-based businesses, the company continually sets its sights on expansion to new markets.

The Challenge

As Staples was entering the Chicago market with a strong 25-store presence, the company found that opening a new retail location wasn’t as easy as having an “easy button.”

Between city unions, building permit complications and the challenges that come with renovating older buildings, Staples’ timeline for opening their city and suburb locations on time was in serious jeopardy. They needed an expert retail systems installer.

THE SOLUTION

With over 20 years of experience, Medlin Communications was the perfect retail systems installer. Medlin leveraged its outstanding relationships with city unions, making it smoother for Staples to navigate Chicago’s bureaucratic waters for opening its stores on time.

Once this roadblock was cleared, Medlin was able to be the ideal interface between IT and low- voltage electrical installation that Staples needed in a retail systems installer. Not only would the stores open on time, but its point of sale equipment would provide customers with a seamless experience on opening day.

The Results

Thanks to Medlin helping Staples get all of its Chicago locations ready to open on time, we now provide nationwide coverage to the company for the complete design and install of its low-voltage cable infrastructure. In this vital role as Staples’ go-to retail systems installer, Medlin assists with all the technologies Staples needs to operate its new and remodeled stores.

Medlin has also become Staples’ preferred vendor for nationwide break/fix issues associated with its Energy Management System (EMS). This system contributes to millions of dollars in energy cost savings for Staples’ entire enterprise.

“Medlin is one of our most valued partners. Actually, we call on them to fix mistakes that others make – ones that impede our timeline to open a new store.”

– Dave Cox,
Manager of Fixtures and Systems Installation

The Challenge

As Staples was entering the Chicago market with a strong 25-store presence, the company found that opening a new retail location wasn’t as easy as having an “easy button.”

Between city unions, building permit complications and the challenges that come with renovating older buildings, Staples’ timeline for opening their city and suburb locations on time was in serious jeopardy.

THE SOLUTION

With over 20 years of experience, Medlin leveraged its outstanding relationships with city unions, making it smoother for Staples to navigate Chicago’s bureaucratic waters for opening its stores on time.

Once this roadblock was cleared, Medlin was able to be the ideal interface between IT and low- voltage electrical installation that Staples needed in a partner. Not only would the stores open on time, but its point of sale equipment would provide customers with a seamless experience on opening day.

The Results

Thanks to Medlin helping Staples get all of its Chicago locations ready to open on time, we now provide nationwide coverage to the company for the complete design and install of its low-voltage cable infrastructure. In this vital role, Medlin assists with all the technologies Staples needs to operate its new and remodeled stores.

Medlin has also become Staples’ “go to” vendor for nationwide break/fix issues associated with its Energy Management System (EMS). This system contributes to millions of dollars in energy cost savings for Staples’ entire enterprise.

“Medlin is one of our most valued partners. Actually, we call on them to fix mistakes that others make – ones that impede our timeline to open a new store.”

– Dave Cox,
Manager of Fixtures and Systems Installation