Staples Bets Big on Rio Olympics

Staples has become a key supplier for USOC Olympic Partners, providing a wide range of merchandise beyond office supplies. Their business-to-business segment has grown significantly, especially after acquiring Corporate Express in 2008. Staples competes with BDA in the Olympic merchandise space and leverages existing partnerships, like with Visa, to expand. They see growth potential by adding more clients and using high-profile events like the Olympics to attract business. Staples often acts as a middleman, contracting out manufacturing, which affects their profit margins.

What type of merchandise does Staples provide for the USOC Olympic Partners?

• Only apparel

• Only hardgoods

• Both apparel and hardgoods

• Only surfboards

What significant acquisition did Staples make in 2008 to boost its business-to-business segment?

• Office Depot

• Nike

• BDA

• Corporate Express

What percentage of Staples' business is now constituted by their business-to-business segment?

• 30%

• 20%

• 40%

• 50%

Who is Staples' main competitor in the Olympic merchandise space?

• BDA

• Nike

• Visa

• Corporate Express

How does Staples manage the production of Olympic merchandise?

• Manufactures everything in-house

• Contracts out to third parties

• Only uses Nike for production

• Does not produce any merchandise