• March 5, 2008

Office Depot says it is launching Tech Depot, a new tech support service offering in-home and in-office services throughout the U.S.

Similar to Best Buy's The Geek Squad and Circuit City's Firedog, Tech Depot is also in 85 Office Depot retail locations in Florida, and expected to be available nationally this year. "Many small businesses and home office professionals simply don't have the time or budget to handle their numerous computer and technology needs, and are looking for help," the company says.

Office-supply retailers, like many stores, are struggling a bit. Staples says that while its fourth-quarter sales eked out a 1% gain, domestic comparable-store sales fell 6% in the period, compared to a year ago, and sales at its European stores slipped 1%. For the full year, total company sales increased 9%--which included a 3% decline in domestic comparable-store sales, and a 2% gain in Europe.

Last week, Office Depot reported a 7% decline in fourth-quarter comparable-store sales.

--Sarah Mahoney