The next big box store slated to open in Cochrane is Staples, which is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 in the Quarry site downtown.
The office supply retail chain, Staples Canada Inc. — part of the American-based Staples Inc. — informed the Eagle that they are moving ahead with the local store opening despite last week’s announcement to media that they would be closing up to 140 of their 1,846 stores in North America this year alone.
“While we are taking aggressive action to right-size our retail footprint, our decision to open a store in Cochrane is based on extensive market research,” said Madalina Secareanu, a spokesperson for the office supply company.
“We are committed to providing great service and every product businesses need whether it’s in-store, online or through mobile and we look forward to serving the local business community.”
Secareanu said the local franchise store would be looking to fill some 20 vacancies to staff the location.
Total sales for Staples Inc. in the second quarter of 2014 were $5.2 billion — a two per cent decrease compared to the second quarter of 2013; the franchise has already closed 80 stores so far this year.
The decline has been largely attributed to more people shopping online and less in-store shopping for office supplies.
