Staples Canada and AIR MILES Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Agreement

Powerful Partnership between Staples and the AIR MILES Reward Program Benefits Consumers and Small Businesses

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Staples Canada Inc., Canada's largest office products company, and the AIR MILES Reward Program, Canada's premiere coalition loyalty program, are entering into a national, category-exclusive, multi-year agreement. Staples customers can earn AIR MILES reward miles on their Staples purchases in store, through the catalogue and online, beginning Wednesday, March 6, 2013. This powerful partnership offers added value to shoppers from coast-to-coast, and further expands the AIR MILES Reward Program to its 10 million active Collectors by adding to the more than 220 program Sponsors with thousands of retail locations across Canada and online. Staples will now be the exclusive office products partner offering AIR MILES reward miles.

Loyalty Matters
Research shows that loyalty programs continue to have a strong influence on Canadian shoppers.  A recent survey commissioned by Staples Canada and AIR MILES indicates that almost half of all Canadians (47%) are more inclined to shop at a retailer if they offer a loyalty program. One-third of respondents (33%) indicate that having AIR MILES as part of the loyalty rewards program would have a strong influence on their decision to choose Staples over another similar retailer*.

"This partnership represents a great fit with Staples overall strategic direction and our commitment to putting our customers first," says Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada. "Our customers will appreciate earning reward miles and will love the variety of reward options that AIR MILES offers. Being a part of the AIR MILES Reward Program gives Canadians one more reason to shop at Staples." There will be special bonus offers during the launch period, along with great bonus reward miles opportunities through ongoing promotions and special product deals.

Active Collectors in Two-Thirds of Canadian Households
"Our top priority is to stay relevant and to increase Collector excitement and engagement," says Andy Wright, President, AIR MILES Reward Program. "The Staples partnership does just that. Adding Canada's leading office products company to our list of Sponsors strengthens our coalition and is a huge benefit to consumers and small business owners alike."

AIR MILES reward miles are collected by approximately two-thirds of Canadian households. It is the most recognized loyalty program in Canada**, and one of the Top 10 most influential brands in Canada according to the ICA and Ipsos Reid "Most Influential Brands Study" in 2011 and 2012***. In addition to individual members, AIR MILES has about one million small business Collectors who are among some of the most engaged members in the program.

Motivating Factors
The survey revealed that the key motivating factors for collecting loyalty points are discounts (51%) and free products (33%)*. Part of the AIR MILES program popularity among consumers and small businesses is due to more than 1,200 reward options, including travel, entertainment attractions and merchandise.

"Staples is another great example of how our loyal Collectors can earn great rewards simply by shopping," says Andy Wright. "Pick up office supplies. Get rewards. It's that easy."

Collectors will be able to earn AIR MILES reward miles in store, at all 330+ Staples Canada store locations, online at www.staples.ca and through the Staples catalogue. To learn more about this initiative, Canadians are encouraged to visit their nearest Staples store, log onto www.airmiles.ca/staples, or check out either the Staples or AIR MILES Facebook page.

About Staples Canada
Staples, Canada's largest office products company, is committed to providing Canadians with a wide choice of office services and products. Serving all types of business—from the small home office to large enterprise—Staples makes it easy for customers to operate their offices efficiently and affordably by offering an extensive selection of office supplies, technology, electronics and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and maintenance, and copy and print services. Operating as Bureau en GrosMC in the province of Quebec and Staples® Canada in all other provinces, the company employs over 15,000 associates at 330+ stores and at their head office in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Ranked as one of Canada's top ten Canadian companies in Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger 2011 Corporate Reputation Survey, Staples/Bureau en Gros is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service, whether they choose to shop in-store, by catalogue or online. Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros is also invested in a number of corporate giving programs that actively support environmental, educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in Canadian communities from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or visit Staples on Facebook and Twitter.  .

About the AIR MILES Reward Program
Founded in 1992, the AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program with more than 10 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of all Canadian households. The AIR MILES Reward Program allows Collectors to earn reward miles simply by doing their everyday shopping at more than 220 leading brand-name Sponsors, representing thousands of retail and service locations across Canada and leading global brands online. The AIR MILES Reward Program also allows Collectors to indulge in more than 1,200 leisure, entertainment, merchandise, travel and a range of accredited, environmentally-friendly lifestyle rewards. With AIR MILES Cash, Collectors can also have the flexibility to instantly redeem their AIR MILES reward miles in-store towards many everyday and high value purchases like gas, grocery, drug store items and home improvement purchases at participating Sponsors.

*On February 7, 2013, Canadian Omnibus conducted an online survey among 1,012 randomly selected Canadians. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples are representative of the Canadian adult population.

**Between December 7, 2012 and January 3, 2013, AIR MILES conducted a telephone survey among 2,000 randomly selected Canadians. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current gender and age in each region Census data to ensure samples are representatives of the Canadian adult population.

*** http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5983

 

 

Image with caption: "Staples Canada and AIR MILES are partnering in a national, multi-year agreement that will benefit consumers and small businesses. Pictured here, Steve Matyas, President of Staples Canada (L) and Andy Wright, President of the AIR MILES Reward Program. (CNW Group/AIR MILES Reward Program)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130221_C7513_PHOTO_EN_23960.jpg

SOURCE: AIR MILES Reward Program

For further information:

For more information or to speak with Steve Matyas or Andy Wright, please contact:
Strategic Objectives. Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]