A Staples Business Advantage account integrates with your eProcurement system and provides competitive pricing with a Higher Education focus. However, colleges and universities can make their Staples Advantage business account go even further by working through a cooperative agreement with E&I Cooperative Services.
With E&I’s Staples contract, you get exclusive pricing that gives you access to even more savings along with volume-based rebates and incentives. You also get dedicated account reps who understand the unique needs of higher education at each step. For example, Staples’ higher ed-focused account managers will work closely with your procurement team to optimize spend, recommend cost-saving alternatives, and ensure compliance.
Institutions also gain access to real-time reporting tools that provide visibility into campus-wide purchasing, making it easier to manage budgets and keep a close eye on spend.
As a member-owned, nonprofit sourcing cooperative focused exclusively on the education sector, E&I Cooperative Services offers competitively solicited agreements from a wide range of top-tier suppliers like Staples. Leveraging the aggregated demand of 6,000+ member institutions, E&I achieves cost savings that individual colleges or universities are typically unable to get on their own.
Getting started is simple. Academic institutions should review the Staples contract and then submit a Statement of Intent which can be found on the Staples microsite under “Sign-up and Ordering Information” A Staples rep will then reach out to complete the enrollment. You will need to enter into a participation agreement with Staples and then set up your account. A Staples rep will then reach out to complete the enrollment. You will need to enter into a participation agreement with Staples and then set up your account.
Once enrolled, any purchases you make online or through a retail store will be subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, meaning you get immediate savings, discounts, and rebates for anything bought through your Staples Advantage business account.
Whether you’re new to Staples or transitioning from a previous supplier, the onboarding process is straightforward. Staples provides support and account setup to make the integration process easy and get you up and running quickly.
If you have questions at any point in this process, you can reach out to your E&I rep for help.
Staples offers thousands of items in its catalog, including more than 20,000 eco-friendly products.
Category | Example Products |
Office Supplies | – Pens & highlighters |
Facilities Products | – Light bulbs & ballasts |
Janitorial & Sanitation | – Disinfectant sprays & wipes |
Furniture | – Adjustable desks |
Technology | – Desktop and Laptop computers – Asset tagging – Monitors & docking stations – Headsets for remote learning |
Promotional | – Branded apparel (T-shirts, hats) |
Print & Marketing | – Business cards |
These are just a few of the products you can procure with a Staples Business Advantage account through E&I Cooperative Services. If you can’t find what you need, you can also explore the hundreds of other cooperative contracts at E&I that cater to higher education.
While a direct relationship with a supplier like Staples can offer convenience and competitive pricing, joining a cooperative contract through E&I takes those benefits several steps further. By aggregating the collective purchasing power of thousands of institutions, you get greater savings and exclusive deals.
Colleges and universities gain access to deeper discounts, more favorable contract terms, and value-added services. E&I’s contracts are compliant with public procurement guidelines, which helps you reduce the administrative burden and accelerate your procurement.
Leveraging a cooperative contract transforms purchasing from a transactional process into a strategic advantage. Whether your institution is looking to streamline operations, lower costs, or simplify how you buy essential products, the Staples contract through E&I delivers flexible, scalable, and education-focused solutions.
To learn more or get started, check out the Staples contract at E&I Cooperative Services. You can also connect with your dedicated account rep at any time if you have questions or need guidance.
