If you're waiting for Thanksgiving morning to check the Staples Black Friday ad, you’ve already lost the game. Honestly. Most people think of Staples as that place where you buy a three-pack of Sharpies or a ream of printer paper when it’s on sale, but for the seasoned deal hunter, this flyer is basically the secret playbook for high-end tech and home office ergonomics.
It's weird. Every year, I see people flocking to Best Buy or Amazon for laptops, completely ignoring the fact that Staples often undercuts them on mid-range machines specifically built for productivity. They aren't flashy. You won't find a liquid-cooled gaming rig with neon lights here. But if you need a machine that won't die while you have forty Chrome tabs open, this is the flyer you need to be dissecting.
The strategy has shifted lately. Retailers aren't just dropping one big PDF and calling it a day. They’re trickling it out. If you aren't paying attention to the "Early Access" leaks that usually hit the web in early November, you’re going to miss the actual doorbusters.
Navigating the Staples Black Friday Ad Without Losing Your Mind
Staples typically leans into a "Black Friday All Week" philosophy. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The physical ad itself usually surfaces online about ten days to two weeks before the actual holiday. In recent years, we've seen the preview drop around the second week of November.
Don't expect a 60-page manifesto like you’d get from Walmart. It’s usually a tighter, 10-to-15-page spread. But every page is dense. You've got to look at the fine print. Often, the best deals aren't the headline items on page one; they're the "Instant Savings" stacked with "Easy Rewards" points on page six.
Let's talk about the chairs. Everyone needs a good chair. If you're still sitting on a wooden kitchen chair while working from home, your lower back is probably screaming. Staples is famous for their Union & Scale brand and the Dexley or Hyken models. During Black Friday, these things usually drop by $100 or more. I’ve seen the Hyken—which is a cult favorite for its mesh breathability—hit price points that make Amazon's "no-name" brands look like a rip-off.
What Actually Goes on Sale?
It’s not just pens.
- Laptops and Desktops: Look for HP and Lenovo. Staples loves HP. They usually have a "Star Buy" which is a laptop with an i5 processor and 16GB of RAM for under $400. That is the sweet spot for most humans.
- Monitors: This is the sleeper hit. They often bundle monitors or have "Buy One, Get One" style discounts on second screens.
- Printers: Yeah, people still use them. EcoTank printers are the big move here. The initial cost is higher, but the ink savings are massive. The Black Friday ad usually slashes the entry price on these by $50 to $80.
- Tech Accessories: Logi (Logitech) mice and keyboards. If you want an MX Master 3S, keep your eyes peeled.
The Rewards Program Trap (And How to Use It)
The "Easy Rewards" program is the backbone of the Staples Black Friday ad experience. If you aren't a member, the deals are just... okay. If you are a member, they can be legendary.
Last year, we saw a lot of "100% back in rewards" on small items like batteries or certain paper products. That’s essentially the store giving you free stuff to get you in the door. You pay $20 for batteries, they give you $20 in store credit. It’s a brilliant way to fund your office supplies for the rest of the year.
But here is the catch: those rewards usually have an expiration date. Don't let them sit. Use them in December for last-minute gifts or more ink.
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The nuance here is that Staples isn't trying to compete with the "TV doorbusters" at Target. They know their audience. They want the small business owner, the freelancer, and the student. Because of that, their stock levels on laptops usually hold up better than the big-box stores. While everyone is fist-fighting over a $199 70-inch TV at a competitor, you can usually walk into a Staples and grab a solid workhorse laptop without the drama.
Why the Paper Ad Still Matters
In a digital world, why do we care about a scanned PDF of a physical flyer?
Context.
Websites like BlackFriday.com or BFAds.net scramble to get these scans because the "online-only" deals are often different from the "in-store" specials. Staples often includes coupons in the physical ad that you can't find on the homepage. Sometimes it's "20% off your entire shredding order" or a specific discount on custom printing. If you’re planning a holiday card run, the Black Friday ad is usually when you’ll find the 50% off custom cards coupon.
I remember back in 2022 and 2023, the supply chain was a mess. Everyone was worried about inventory. Now, the worry is inflation. Retailers are feeling the squeeze, which means they are being more aggressive with "loss leaders"—those items they sell at a loss just to get you to walk past the expensive ink cartridges.
The Apple Factor
Does Staples sell iPads? Yes. Should you buy them there? Maybe.
Usually, Staples matches the standard $80–$100 discount on iPad Airs or Pros that you see elsewhere. However, they aren't always the first to update their pricing on the website. This is where the Staples Black Friday ad becomes a weapon. If the ad shows a price that the website hasn't reflected yet, you can go into the store and they will honor it. They also price-match major competitors like Amazon and Best Buy, but not during the actual Black Friday week (usually Wednesday through Monday).
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Read that again. Do not walk in on Friday morning expecting a price match. They won't do it. You have to play by their flyer's rules.
Timing Your Visit
Staples is historically closed on Thanksgiving Day. This is a good thing. It means the employees get a break, and you don't have to skip turkey to get a deal on a stapler.
The sale usually goes live online on Thanksgiving morning. If there is a specific laptop or a chair you want, buy it then. By the time the doors open on Friday morning, the "online-to-store" shoppers have often picked the shelves clean of the best stuff.
Interestingly, the Monday after Black Friday—Cyber Monday—is often better for the "boring" stuff. If you need a bulk order of coffee pods for the office or a new filing cabinet, wait for the Monday refresh. The Staples Black Friday ad usually covers both periods, but the "Online Only" section at the end of the flyer is where the Cyber Monday gold is buried.
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Actionable Steps for Saving the Most Money
To actually win this year, don't just wing it. Follow this sequence to maximize the value out of the Staples ecosystem:
- Join Easy Rewards Now: Don't wait until you're at the register. Sign up at least two weeks before Black Friday. Sometimes they send "Welcome" or "We Missed You" coupons that can be stacked with sale prices if the fine print allows it.
- Download the App: The app often has "App Only" sneak peeks of the ad before it hits the deal sites. It’s also where you’ll manage your rewards points.
- Check the "Furniture" Section First: If you need a desk or chair, these are the items with the highest margin and therefore the biggest potential discounts. Look for the "Gamer" chairs if you want comfort, even if you don't play games. They are often built for longer sitting sessions.
- Identify "Back in Rewards" Deals: Look for the items that offer 50-100% back in rewards. These are essentially free money if you’re a frequent Staples shopper.
- Verify the Model Numbers: Retailers sometimes have "Black Friday specific" model numbers for laptops. These might have slightly cheaper components. Check the specific processor generation (e.g., Intel 13th gen vs 12th gen) before assuming a $300 laptop is a steal.
- Skip the Cables: Unless they are on a massive "Rewards" promo, cables (HDMI, USB-C) at Staples are notoriously expensive even when "on sale." Get those on Amazon or Monoprice instead.
The Staples Black Friday ad isn't just a list of products; it’s a snapshot of the current state of the "work-from-anywhere" economy. If you look closely, you can see where the industry is heading—more focus on ergonomic health, portable power, and high-capacity ink. Shop smart, keep your receipts, and for heaven's sake, get a better chair.