Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now

COVID-19

Office supply stores see uptick demand from home-bound workers

The rush to stock up for coronavirus consequences isn’t relegated to hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.

Jeff Schuler, general manager for the Office Depot on Third Avenue near downtown Spokane, said he has seen a significant increase in work-from-home supplies as COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions have pushed more and more workers into their domiciles.

Schuler said that while technology such as laptops have certainly been popular, he has seen a significant number of people focused on creating a healthy work environment, making purchases such as standing desks, bike desks and more.

Staples has also seen an increase in demand for these products.

“Our team is dedicated to fulfilling these orders as quickly as possible to ensure we can do our part through providing the supplies and equipment necessary to keep our customers’ businesses running,” Michael Hurwitz, Staples vice president GMM merchandising, said in an email.

Parents might also want to consider supplies for their little workers, Schuler said. He said the same fidget chairs – otherwise known as core stool wobble chairs – some children may be accustomed to in the classroom are also available for purchase.

“If they fidget, it allows them to do that but still stay focused, especially at home when there’s so many distractions,” Schuler said. “Typically, what we’re seeing is most parents haven’t thought about that, and when they see them in the store, they’re like, ‘Well, yeah, that’s what you use at school.’ ”

The main thing Schuler has recommended to customers is 24/7 at-home service, which allows customers to have a direct line to tech support, as well as a service to set up their technology in the first place.

“When people are confronted with new technology and new to something at home for the first time, they don’t know who to turn to,” Schuler said. “We don’t want them coming back out in the community, back into our stores during a time when we’re trying to keep social distancing.”