Apparently Staples new slogan is “Kick ‘em while they’re down! Now wasn’t that easy?”

I just received an e-mail from Staples with the subject line of “Will Office Depot closings affect you?” and here’s the message body:

You Can Always Count On Staples

BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Office Depot, Inc. (NYSE: ODP),
plans to close 112 stores in North America through 2009.

With the uneasy economy and recent headlines about suppliers like Office Depot, business owners face all sorts of questions.

• Will troubled retailers honor my rewards checks?
• Where will I go for office essentials?
• Will I get my products delivered accurately and on time?

Now more than ever, it’s important to plan for your business. We invented the office superstore
in 1986 and we aren’t going anywhere. And remember, when other suppliers are closing their doors
we’re here to stay.

Now I can’t say that I’m a fan of Office Depot for office supplies…their stores around Indianapolis have been less than stellar for years and I’ve opted for Staples or Office Max solely based on price and products.  But still, this seems a little below the belt doesn’t it?

According to the United States Labor Department, the US economy lost 533,000 jobs in November 2008 and the unemployment rate jumped to a 15-year high of 6.7 percent.  While that will create hardships for people (I have been there myself), I think the newly unemployed need to look at the positive things here…they will be home for Christmas and watching football while still collecting an unemployment check.  Plus, there’s no better time to regroup and think about what you actually want to do for a living…my unemployment experience gave me the kick in the pants that I needed to pursue my own businesses (plural) full-time.  If it weren’t for that I’d probably be in bed right now having nightmares about yet another grueling, gut-wrenching week in Cubeville USA.