View the related Webcast here. Staples' decision to banish HP-compatible cartridges from its retail stores is a major blow to the aftermarket. The retailer is one of the world's biggest vendors of printer cartridges, and has played a key role in the development of the aftermarket cartridge industry. In one swift move, aftermarket vendors have lost not only a huge chunk of their existing distribution, but also the strongest brand they have-the Staples brand, which over the years has played a major role legitimizing non-OEM print cartridges.
Staples' move raises some serious questions for aftermarketers and OEMs alike. The golden rule of retailing used to be that "the customer is always right," but in this case, Staples is probably following a different rule-Money Talks, namely HP's money.
But what is motivating HP? Of course it is glad to see HP-compatible cartridges thrown out of Staples, but why would it spend so much money making this happen, when it knows that customers who want these products can walk across the street and buy them at Office Depot, OfficeMax, or CompUSA, or go online and buy them at a thousand Web retailers including Staples.com?
The fact is that HP and Staples have cut a deal, and each side expects to realize benefits. Find out Lyra's take on this strategic move and how it could impact other retailers, the aftermarket, and other OEM vendors. Place an order today! |
