Nearly 14% of sales are taking place over the web at Staples
Web-based sales at Staples Inc. in the fourth quarter reached $450 million, or 13.6% of total Q4 sales of $3.3 billion, the company reported today. For the full year, it reported $1.6 billion in e-commerce sales, or 13.8% of total sales of $11.6 billion.
Showing the trend for consumers and businesses to favor Internet over catalog sales, Staples says e-commerce accounted for 53% of orders placed through its North American direct delivery business for the fourth quarter, up from 45% a year ago. Its direct delivery business is comprised of Internet and catalog sales to consumers as well as to businesses.
A spokesman notes that 95% of all new business contract customers sign up for online accounts, and that 70% of all business orders are placed online.
Q4 store sales rose 6.5% to $2.05 billion from $1.92 billion a year earlier. Store sales for the year rose 3.6% to $7.16 billion from $6.91 billion.
Back...
