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NEW YORK - Staples is making a commitment to wearables and homeand small-business automation products in 500 locations starting July 15.
The retailer is also dramatically expanding its assortment of both types of products.
A total of 148 Staples Connect automation SKUs will be available online, and about 40 to 50 will be displayed in an 8-foot display rolling out to 250 stores, said Peter Gerstberger, director/divisional merchandise manager of new business development. The next 250 stores will get a 4-foot home-automation display.
All 500 stores will also get an 8-foot wearables display with about 50 SKUs, including products in different colors.
Both displays will be placed up front in the Staples stores near each other.
Staples operates more than 1,500 stores in the U.S.
As part of the merchandising changes, the company's home-automation selection goes to 148 SKUs from 38 companies, up from 60 products from 15 companies when the company launched its pilot program last Thanksgiving in 32 stores.
The wearables display will be the retailer's first dedicated area for the category, which features about 35 to 40 SKUs, including different colors. About...