UPS has announced a joint venture with worldwide office products company Staples to launch a newco-branded store in China to increase its penetration of the country’s fast-growing express market.
The first two “Staples UPS Express” locations opened in Beijing yesterday. Two additionallocations are planned to open in Shanghai by the end of 2007, UPS announced. UPS already opened itsfirst two UPS Express retail centres in Shanghai, China, in August 2006 as part of its plannedwider expansion of UPS-branded retail outlets in the Asia-Pacific region.
The new store format combines a broad range of core office supplies and document processingservices from Staples with packaging and international shipping services for business customers andconsumers from UPS. Customers can expect their UPS shipments to be picked up within 30 minutes oftheir phone request.
“China is an important part of Staples’ long-term global expansion,” said Weiguo Jin,chairman of Staples China. “By partnering with UPS, the global brand for package delivery, Staplesis pursuing a new growth area in the world’s fastest growing market. The new Staples UPS Expressstore concept will serve Chinese business customers with an easy way to satisfy their frequent,time-sensitive needs for complementary office products and services.”
Both Staples and UPS will support the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. UPS was chosen to be theOfficial Logistics and Express Delivery Sponsor, providing logistics consultation and management toThe Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG). Staples is theexclusive provider of office furniture to the BOCOG, which includes furniture for official Olympiclocations.
“The Staples UPS Express concept in China stems from a long-term alliance between the twocompanies,” said Richard Loi, senior vice president, UPS Asia Pacific and China District. “Ourstrengths, interests and commitment to China have led us to develop Staples UPS Express which willoffer customers a convenient, one-stop location for office supplies, document services andinternational shipping needs. Chinese business customers will benefit from the customized solutionsand one-to-one customer experience Staples UPS Express stores will present them.”
