Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Staples Opens Coworking Space The company looks to make a hip pivot.

By Rose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Workbar

Staples isn't just for office supplies or printing anymore. Three of the company's Massachusetts stores now include happy hour, retro music and mod seating -- that is, it's adding coworking spaces.

Related: How to Choose the Best Coworking Space for Your Startup

Partnered with Boston-based Workbar, Staples's coworking spaces feature hip music, funky art and a putting green. The pivot comes in response to years of staggering in-store sales and closures. This year, the company plans to shut down more than 70 of its locations, although it predicts a continued rise in online sales. Staples CEO Shira Goodman says she expects online sales to account for 80 percent of the company's total revenue by 2020.

Repurposing their real estate for other uses, Staples seeks to revamp its reputation as a big-box retailer. "If you go to most people on the street and ask about Staples, they'd go, "Oh yeah, the office-products superstore.' But the reality is that's very far from where we are today, and even farther from where we want to be," Goodman told Bloomberg.

Related: 5 Reasons a Coworking Space Makes Sense for Startups

And so far, so good. Since September, more than 200 people have signed up for memberships, which cost $130 a month. The company hasn't revealed plans for more locations, but according to Bloomberg, Goodman hopes to "dominate the $80 billion-a-year U.S. midmarket, or businesses with fewer than 200 employees."

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Thousands of Oasis Reunion Tour Tix Get Nixed — Instead of Fighting Each Other, the Gallagher Brothers Go to War With Resellers

Oasis is reportedly canceling thousands of tickets that were listed on the secondary market.

Living

Americans Say the Week After Daylight Saving Time Is Their Most Unproductive at Work – Here's Why

In a recent survey, 43% of employed respondents say the week after daylight saving time ends is their most unproductive at work — with 31% admitting they make more mistakes than is typical.

Leadership

How Extreme Customer Service Creates Loyal Customers and Sparks Business Domination

How to create customer loyalty and use extreme customer service as a competitive force to dominate your market: free training you can use now.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Starting a Business

This Five-Course Startup and Development Bundle Is Only $25

Self-paced courses for your journey to success.