Corporate Express will officially change its name to Staples on 26 October.
As previously reported by Stationery News, US-based Staples has been phasing out the name Corporate Express since its takeover of the company in 2008.
As of 29 October, the Australian company will trade as Staples Australia Pty Ltd.
Staples' Australian CEO Jay Mutschler told Stationery News earlier this year that the co-branding process had been underway for some time but was not planned to be completed until around early 2014.
However, the accelerated rebranding of the Australian company was announced by Staples’ CEO Ron Sargent as part of wide-ranging restructure of the world’s largest office products company and second largest internet retailer.
Staples has annual sales of $25 billion and 88,000 staff operating in 26 countries.
Staples said it plans to record a US$20 million pre-tax non-cash charge related to accelerated Australian trade name amortisation by the end of fiscal year 2012.
Staples is increasing investment in online and mobile capabilities to provide business customers with a differentiated multi-channel shopping experience, Sargent said.
“Building on its success in categories like facilities and breakroom supplies, copy and print, and technology products, Staples is significantly expanding its assortment beyond office supplies to better serve the needs of business customers,” he said.
Staples plans to reduce retail square footage in North America by approximately 15 per cent by the end of fiscal year 2015.
Staples also plans to close 45 stores and several sub-scale delivery businesses in Europe by the end of fiscal year 2012.
