Staples Canada Releases Top Trends, Must-Haves for 2016 Back-To-School Season

List includes expressive emojis, vibrant colours and personalization

TORONTO, July 21, 2016 /CNW/ – Staples Canada is helping students, parents and teachers get ready to go back-to-school by releasing its annual short-list of the hottest trends.

Consumers will find a fresh and wide assortment of items that feature vibrant colours, small and compact shapes and sizes, loveable and huggable products, modern designs and ways to personalize and customize, as well as smart technology to increase productivity.

“Everyone wants and expects practical and unique items for the back-to-school season, while staying within budget,” said Pete Gibel, senior vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada. “That’s why we make it our mission to be ready with the broadest assortment, the latest trends and the lowest prices so our customers can have the best back-to-school shopping experience.”

Staples’ 2016 Top Trends include:

Vibrant Colours

Poppin Everything will stay in its place while saving desk space with the Poppin letter tray and accessory tray. From metallic and bold pencil cases, to notebooks, staplers and pencil cups, Poppin has fashionable items to keep students stylish this back-to-school season. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

Add a pop of colour to any homework station with the Poppin desk letter tray, pencil case or pen cup. Brighten up a locker area with the NeatLife Drippy Paint Magnetic Pencil Cups and Drippy Paint Magnetic Divided Bins that come in pink, purple, green and blue.

Loveable and Huggable

Staples Animal Folders - The Staples single pocket expanding file easily stores documents and files with a fun design. This expanding file folder comes in assorted animal designs to suit any students need. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.) — Staples Animal Folders – The Staples single pocket expanding file easily stores documents and files with a fun design. This expanding file folder comes in assorted animal designs to suit any students need. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

Everyone needs a hug or a jolt of inspiration from time to time. Find lots of personal and practical gratification from Staples Animal Folders from to the Thermos Chewbacca lunch bag. Keep crayons and the Maped Croc Croc rabbit-shaped pencil sharpener tucked away in a Staples elephant or kitten printed pencil case.

Maped Croc Croc Pencil Sharpener The rabbit-shaped pencil sharpener is bold, interactive and fun. Sharpen a pencil in a clockwise rotation and watch the rabbits teeth move! Its available in assortment of colours such as red, pink and blue. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

Small and Compact

Pack only what’s needed thanks to items such as compact desk clocks for teachers, the Sistema Bento Box all-in-one lunch container and food divider, Swingline mini staplers, 6-in-1 compact PowerCube, PNY Micro Sleek USB and the HP Deskjet printer.

Favourite Characters

The Secret Life of Pets The Secret Life of Pets backpack and lunch bag can go wherever students go! (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

With action packed backpacks from Disney’s Star Wars and Captain America, to cute and cuddly lunch bags from The Secret Life of Pets and Finding Dory, Staples let’s students take the movies to class.

Say it with Emoji’s

Merangue Emoticon Magnets Students can showcase their personality with these fun and quirky emoticon magnets. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

From Merangue Emoticon Locker Magnets to quirky Merangue Emoji Pencils, these fun products add personality and function throughout the academic year. The ZIPIT Grillz Backpack has an expressive exterior pocket for students who are looking to showcase personality and style.

ZIPIT Grillz Backpack - A fun and stylish backpack with a Grillz zipper and eyes on the front. It features a tablet compartment, one large interior pocket and one small exterior pocket. It has a padded back for comfort and padded adjustable straps. Its available in an assortment of colours and patterns. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.) — ZIPIT Grillz Backpack – A fun and stylish backpack with a Grillz zipper and eyes on the front. It features a tablet compartment, one large interior pocket and one small exterior pocket. It has a padded back for comfort and padded adjustable straps. Its available in an assortment of colours and patterns. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

All About Tech

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 The tablet that can replace a laptop. With a powerful 6th generation Intel® Core processor, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is powerful, lightweight and easy to carry. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

Staples makes sure all bases are covered for optimal back-to-school productivity with slick and slim items like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Galaxy TabPro S, Galaxy Tab S2, Skullcandy Wireless Headphones, FitBit Fitness Tracker and the Logitech mouse that comes in watermelon or lemon patterns. The Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker saves space while offering powerful sound and quality, and also comes in fun colours such as mint, red, white or black.

Logitech Mouse The Logitech mouse is available in a variety of fun patterns such as watermelon or lemon. Not only is it stylish, but its functional and compact for every student. (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)

Being Green

With items like Post-it Greener Notes, Staples Recycled Poly Report Covers and Staples FSC-Certified Eco-Responsible Multiuse Paper, it’s easy going green. Save money by eliminating waste with re-usable lunch products like the Precidio Snack/Drink In The Box and assortment of Cryopak additions.

Make it Personal

In 2016, customers can expect custom classroom products from Staples which allows parents, students and teachers to personalize agendas, planners, labels and posters – to name but a few. Locker accessories like the Merangue Dry Erase Board and the Wall Pops! Fashion Locker Accessory Kit let students add a personal touch to their space at school.

For a complete list of the top trends and products from Staples for the 2016 back-to-school season, view the online lookbook by clicking here.

Staples has all the back-to-school products that students need at the guaranteed lowest prices with a 100% price match guarantee, great rewards and stress-free shopping. Back-to-school resources are available either in-store or online at www.staples.ca/backtoschool, or through the Staples mobile app.

Throughout the season, parents, students and teachers can join the conversation around the latest trends, deals and back-to-school hacks using #ThinkStaples.

About Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros
Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company’s innovative buy online, pick up in store option. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top ten companies in Marketing Magazine’s Marketing/Leger Corporate Reputation Survey,Staples/Bureau en Gros is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service. Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros also is 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 us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.