Office Depot Launches Business Services Platform for Startups

Office Depot announced the launch of BizBox, its new business services platform that will provide startups and small businesses access to the core services needed to start and grow their businesses through a convenient subscription. Monthly services start at $99. BizBox will simplify business decisions and operations for SMBs, and builds upon Office Depot’s previously announced acquisition of CompuCom Systems, and is an important part of the company’s strategic transformation from a traditional office products retailer to a broader business services platform. End-to-end services include accounting, email marketing, CRM, payroll and HR, search marketing, asset management, social marketing, legal services, logo design, website creation and hosting, and technical services.

Total Retail's Take: I give Office Depot's leadership credit. They recognized that the existing business model — an office supplies retailer heavily reliant on brick-and-mortar sales —was unlikely to be successful going forward, and they made the decision to evolve and diversify into a business services platform. Remaining with the status quo was likely going to result in Office Depot going out of business, so it decided to shift direction. The impetus for this change, in addition to declining sales and profits, was likely the failed merger with Staples. That caused both Staples and Office Depot to re-evaluate their futures. I like what I see so far from Office Depot.