Seattle — Staples has opened an e-commerce research center here to further develop its online capabilities.
The center is the office supply chain’s second West Coast e-tail facility, and will focus on refining Staples’ search, search engine optimization (SEO) and personalization functions.
Faisal Masud, global e-commerce executive VP, said the Seattle team will use big data to create a personalized shopping experience, and will develop elements of Staples’ global online platform.
“We’re building core components to power innovative e-commerce,” he noted. “Our marketers and merchants will test and launch rapid innovative online selling models, targeting the right customer with the right products at the right time.”
The Seattle center joins the retailer’s Innovation Lab in San Mateo, Calif., which is tasked with personalizing the online shopping experience.
Staples said it chose the two locations to tap into the wealth of West Coast engineering and e-commerce talent, and is adding positions in software development, product management, usability, analytics and online merchandising.
One of the world’s largest Internet retailers, the company is continuing to invest in its omnichannel capabilities to allow customers to shop however and whenever they want, across mobile devices, desktops and stores, it said.