Next Lyra Webcast: Staples Presses the Easy Button to Solve HP and Epson Cartridge Woes

Lyra Research, the digital imaging authority (www.lyra.com), will host a live Webcast called "OEMs Score Big at Staples in the Great Battle for the Printer Aftermarket" on Thursday, February 15, at 2 p.m. eastern standard time (7 p.m. or 19:00 UTC). The Webcast will investigate Staples' decision to discontinue the sale of Epson and HP-compatible ink and toner cartridges and discuss the implications for the OEM and aftermarket sectors. Visit www.lyra.com to sign up for this event today.

NEWTON, MA (PRWEB) February 13, 2007 -- Lyra Research, the digital imaging authority (www.lyra.com), will host a live Webcast called "OEMs Score Big at Staples in the Great Battle for the Printer Aftermarket" on Thursday, February 15, at 2 p.m. eastern standard time (7 p.m. or 19:00 UTC). After five months of persistent rumors, Staples announced that it will discontinue the sale of HP-compatible ink and toner cartridges. Months of relentless inquiries by Lyra finally resulted in a January 29 e-mail response from a Staples spokesperson who confirmed the rumors. According to the spokesperson, the reason for Staples' decision was that "Hewlett-Packard continues to rapidly advance its technology in printing systems and ink and toner, [and this decision offers the best solution to customers and allows Staples to focus its resources on the many other product categories where we can innovate with Staples-brand products."

According to Charles Brewer, managing editor of Lyra's Hard Copy Supplies Journal, which first covered this story, it is very likely that HP made Staples the proverbial deal it could not refuse. "What would motivate Staples to walk away from the fatter margins afforded by selling compatibles?" Brewer asks. "According to several industry insiders, Staples' margin on HP-compatible ink was around 50 percent, and its margin on new compatible toner cartridges was 35 percent. We have reason to believe that its margin on remanufactured toner cartridges was closer to 40 percent. In contrast, the office superstore's margin on genuine HP cartridges averaged between 25 and 30 points."

When Staples published its January 2007 catalog, not only were Staples-brand HP ink and toner missing from the catalog--Staples-brand Epson-compatible ink cartridges were also conspicuously absent, although the catalog offered store-brand cartridges for Canon, Dell, and Lexmark machines. Staples provided no explanation for the absence of Epson compatibles, but the move may have more to do with Epson's lawsuit against Armor Group (Staples' vendor for the store-brand cartridges) and less to do with any agreement between Epson and Staples. By early February, Staples had pulled all HP-compatible cartridges from the shelves of its stores and eliminated them from its Web site. Epson-compatible cartridges were still available in stores and online, but certain SKUs were out of stock at some stores.

Why would Staples decide to make this move? Will other office superstores follow suit? Is HP legally bound to offer similar concessions to other office-supplies superstores? Will other OEMs make their own deals with Staples? Join Charles Brewer, managing editor of The Hard Copy Supplies Journal; Jim Forrest, senior analyst for Lyra Research; and Charles LeCompte, president of Lyra Research, for this free Webcast on Thursday, February 15, at 2 p.m. eastern standard time. Find out how Staples' latest moves might impact your sector of the industry. Whether you work for an OEM, an aftermarket supplies vendor, or a firm that monitors the financial performance of the companies involved, this live Webcast is an event you must attend. Register now at www.lyra.com.

Order the In-Depth Report
Lyra will publish a report analyzing these dramatic events in cartridge OEM and retailer relationships to coincide with the Webcast. The report, also titled OEMs Score Big at Staples in the Great Battle for the Printer Aftermarket, contains more in-depth information than will be available in the Webcast. The report will sell for $995, and live Webcast attendees will be eligible for a 10 percent discount, or a $100 savings. For more information or to order the report, call Sandy Tobin at 1-617-454-2612.

How to Register for this Webcast
To attend the free, live Webcast, visit www.lyra.com and click on the Webcast banner to preregister. Strong early registrations have confirmed the industry interest in this event. Lyra encourages companies to organize group meetings to view this Webcast. If you are unable to attend the live event, a Web archive will be available after the event at www.lyra.com.

About Lyra Research's Webcasts
Lyra Research's Webcasts allow you to attend industry veterans' engaging presentations on the digital imaging industry's hot-button topics without leaving your office. Lyra's Webcasts offer imaging industry executives, marketers, and analysts an accessible and informal resource for insight and useful data points on timely issues in the hard copy hardware and supplies industries. Attendees need only an Internet connection and browser and audio capability. No special software is required.

Lyra Research: The Digital Imaging Authority
Lyra Research collaborates with imaging industry decision-makers worldwide, enabling clients to strengthen their market position and achieve profitable growth. Lyra's expert analysts and editors help clients devise and implement creative solutions to business challenges, arming them with competitive intelligence, strategic and tactical advice, news and analysis, and market forecasts.

Since 1991, Lyra's custom research and consulting, advisory services, award-winning journals, and innovative events have set the standard for analysis of imaging hardware, consumables, and digital photography markets.

Visit www.lyra.com to learn more about how Lyra can be your strategic business partner.

Related Companies
Companies mentioned in this press release include Epson, HP (Hewlett-Packard), and Staples.

CONTACT:
Andre Rebelo
Marketing Manager
Lyra Research, Inc.
1-617-454-2658
arebelo AT lyra DOT com What would motivate Staples to walk away from the fatter margins afforded by selling compatibles?