FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

On the heels of an unprecedented year, the Staples National Small Business Survey (NASDAQ: SPLS) has revealed optimism among small business owners as they kick off 2017. The survey, commissioned by Staples and conducted by Wakefield Research, discovered that 85% of American small business owners are “optimistic” about the small business climate in the new year, while 67% think business tax reform should be the top policy priority for 2017.

Signaling further short- and long-term positivity, 67% of respondents plan to hire employees in 2017, while 91% would be likely to encourage their children to start their own business given the current state of the small business environment.

Staples fielded the survey to explore the outlook of small business owners across the country as they gear up for success in the year ahead. Additional results include:

• 97% of small business owners plan to increase investment in their companies in 2017
• 72% plan to increase staff compensation in 2017
• 93% believe running your own business is the best kind of job satisfaction there is

“We’ve been a small business champion for more than 30 years, and are pleased that small business owners are hopeful and confident as we head into the new year,” said Frank P. Bifulco, Jr., executive vice president global marketing, Staples. “We conducted the survey to better understand the pulse of small business owners and to further identify those priority product and service areas in which we can help our customers achieve success in 2017.”

To help small business owners both in-stores and at Staples.com, Staples Print and Marketing Services offers everything from business cards and logo design to marketing materials and signage. Additionally, the Staples Small Business Hub is a resource with expert tips, information and industry advice.

Survey Methodology

This 2017 small business survey was designed by Staples and conducted online by Wakefield Research, among 502 U.S. small businesses owners, from December 14 to December 21, 2016. For the purpose of this survey, small businesses owners were defined as those who had up to 10 full-time employees.

About Staples, Inc.

Staples helps small business customers make more happen by providing a broad assortment of products, expanded business services and easy ways to shop – in stores, online, via mobile or through social apps. Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division, caters to mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized customers by offering a one-source solution for the products and services they need, combined with best-in-class customer service, competitive pricing and a state-of-the-art ecommerce site. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

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