Staples offers new in-store pick up option

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By Emily Micucci

In a continued bid to boost online shopping as it scales back its retail store footprint, Framingham-based office supply retailer Staples Inc. said it is now offering maximum in-store pickup wait times of two hours for online orders.

Staples said Wednesday that customers will now be able to use a new online shopping feature that allows them o select a “pick-up-today” option, and the retailer promises those orders will be reatdy within two hours. Products not sold in stores can also be shopped for in-store pickup. All online orders are available for store pickup at no charge, Staples said.

Staples also expanded its online shopping tools Wednesday, announcing new in-store payment kiosks, easier online payment using a Visa Checkout system, and a new iPad shopping app.

“The recent updates will make it easier for customers to shop however and from wherever they want. This is particularly important for businesses that are always on the go and can’t wait for a delivery or delay shopping until they are in front a desktop,” said Faisal Masud, executive vice president of global e-commerce at Staples.

Last month, Staples announced plans to close 140 stores by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Wall Street analyst Gary Balter’s speculation on Tuesday that Staples ought to purchase competitor Office Depot in an effort to fend off increased competition from online retailers causes stocks for both companies to surge, pushing Staples up 8.1 percent and Office Depot 6.3 percent.