Staples Survey Reveals Western Small Business Leaders are Optimistic about 2015

A recent Staples’ small business survey conducted online by Research Now of 252 small business leaders in the West (AZ, CO, ID, NM, MT, UT, NV, WY, AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) revealed the pulse of small business in the region. Highlights:

1. Onward and Upward: The majority of Western small business leaders (89%) are optimistic about the year ahead.

2. Results Driven: Western businesses showed they are focused on results, with increasing revenue (73%), driving profits (71%) and gaining more customers (69%) rating as the top three business goals for 2015.

3. Taking Action: To achieve their 2015 goals, promotional marketing (50%), better organization (38%) and product and service expansion (44%) rate as the top tactics small businesses in the west plan to use.

4. Manage Costs: (29%) of small businesses plan in the western region plan to increase technology use to help manage business costs.

5. Improve Marketing: Compared to other regions, Westerners are more interested in improving marketing efforts. In fact, (49%) of small business leaders want to stop spending money on ineffective marketing and promotional campaigns this year.

6. Better Customer Service: More than two thirds (69%) of businesses in the west want to attract more customers, and more than one third (37%) want to retain current customers longer.

7. Invest in Employees: One third of Western small business leaders (33%) report they want to provide bonuses to their employees as part of their 2015 plan, and (30%) said they want to give their employees a raise.

8. Bargain Hunters: The majority of small business leaders in the West are bargain hunters both at home (85%) and in the workplace (81%).

9. Rewards: Most Western small businesses leaders (79%) want to use vendors that offer rewards and points that can be used toward future purchases.

10. Raising Productivity: Compared to other regions in the U.S., small business owners in the West recognize that upgrades of computer equipment would have a positive impact on their employees.

Methodology: The Staples 2015 small business survey was conducted online within the United States by Research Now between January 3 – February 6, 2015 among 999 small business leaders in each of the four regions (Northeast, Midwest, South and West).

Staples Survey Highlights Importance of Technology To Small Business Owners

For small business owners, email rates as the top software tool (47%) for running their business, followed by financial management software (29%), according to a Staples’ study of 510 small business owners conducted online by Harris Poll during late summer 2014. Additionally, the survey shows the importance of technology to small businesses of all kinds.

“More than ever, small businesses rely on technology to make more happen every day,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, North American stores and online, Staples. “Staples offers an expanded assortment of the latest technology products in store and online, as well as Staples EasyTech™ services to help our small business customers so they can focus on running their business.”

The survey also shows that this is a crucial season for small businesses, with 62 percent looking forward to fall as the start of the holiday. Overall, about a third (31%) plan to invest in online marketing this fall.

Additional facts revealed in the Staples Small Business Owners Survey include:

• Drive profits: Small business owners want to improve business by increasing promotional marketing (26%), developing social media (21%) and managing inventory better (14%).


• Technology focus: 71% of small business owners say the computer is the most crucial piece of office equipment.


• Everyday focus: 63% of small business owners don’t have a five-year plan.


• Buying decisions: 96% of small business owners are involved in purchasing products for their business.


• Omnichannel shoppers: More than half (53%) of small business owners use the convenience of shopping both channels, with 82% shopping in store and 66% shopping online.


• More efficient:  Small business owners plan to “get smart” increase efficiency this fall by focusing on marketing and advertising (28%), cash flow management (26%) and social media use (26%).


• Fall clean-up: 56% of small business owners actually plan a fall clean-up.

To help small business customers prepare for the busy fall and holiday seasons, Staples is celebrating small businesses throughout October with special savings and business tips. For small business expert tips and details on savings visit: http://www.staples.com/Small-Business-Main/cat_BI823623

Methodology

This Staples SBO Success survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Duffy & Shanley and their client Staples, between August 26 – September 2, 2014 among 510 U.S. small business owners, in each of the 4 regions (East, Midwest, South, and West). This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Staples:

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company’s innovative buy online, pick-up in store option. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.