Unboxing Staples Merchant Services.  First to Retail Mobile Payments.

Unboxing Staples Merchant Services.  First to Retail Mobile Payments.

In 2007, Merchant Resource Group (MRG) took on what most in the payments and retail world thought impossible: enabling a Fortune 500 office supply giant, Staples, to enter the merchant services business. At the time, no big-box or major online retailer had successfully created a payments channel inside its core retail footprint. The ambition was clear but the execution required navigating uncharted waters.

The Challenge

Staples had 1,500 U.S. locations and a growing online presence. Their leadership wanted more than selling paper and ink—they wanted to become a provider of wireless payment processing and credit card acceptance solutions to the same SMBs shopping in their aisles.

But this posed two immediate problems:

  1. Conflict of Interest: Initial partnership talks with Elavon/US Bank ran into friction due to Costco, another Elavon partner. Supporting Staples threatened channel conflict at scale.


  2. Hardware + Mobility: Mobile credit card processing was in its infancy. Equipping a retailer to sell and service such solutions nationwide had never been done.
Staples had 1,500 U.S. locations and a growing online presence. Their leadership wanted more than selling paper and ink—they wanted to become a provider of wireless payment processing and credit card acceptance solutions to the same SMBs shopping in their aisles.

But this posed two immediate problems:

  1. Conflict of Interest: Initial partnership talks with Elavon/US Bank ran into friction due to Costco, another Elavon partner. Supporting Staples threatened channel conflict at scale.


  2. Hardware + Mobility: Mobile credit card processing was in its infancy. Equipping a retailer to sell and service such solutions nationwide had never been done.
Jim Kelly of Schlumberger International summarized the hardware challenge best:
Jim Kelly of Schlumberger International summarized the hardware challenge best:

“From an equipment perspective, this was a Rubik’s cube. You had to ensure mobile card readers worked anywhere in the U.S., on multiple carriers, with seamless provisioning. It hadn’t been done, but MRG made it work—painfully, piece by piece.”

Steve Jobs once warned Jimmy Iovine, “You can get killed in the hardware business.” MRG didn’t get killed, but the shots they took in pioneering mobile payments at retail scale left scars—and valuable lessons—on how, when, and whether to enter uncharted waters.

MRG was finally able to make it a success with Cayan due to their deep knowledge of offering merchant services online with their success with Google.  They showed us how to simplify, reduce friction, avoid any/all costs of goods as possible and most importantly, make the offer easy.  A confused buyer doesn’t buy, says the M. Stafford from Build Grow Scale.  
Steve Jobs once warned Jimmy Iovine, “You can get killed in the hardware business.” MRG didn’t get killed, but the shots they took in pioneering mobile payments at retail scale left scars—and valuable lessons—on how, when, and whether to enter uncharted waters.

MRG was finally able to make it a success with Cayan due to their deep knowledge of offering merchant services online with their success with Google.  They showed us how to simplify, reduce friction, avoid any/all costs of goods as possible and most importantly, make the offer easy.  A confused buyer doesn’t buy, says the M. Stafford from Build Grow Scale.  

The Execution

MRG worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Staples leadership to reframe the model, ultimately moving the relationship to Cayan Payments, a more flexible partner willing to build infrastructure around Staples’ needs. MRG’s role was to orchestrate the commercial, operational, and technical details:

  • Designing a merchant services program fit for a retailer with 1,500 physical touchpoints.
  • Resolving channel conflict that could have derailed the initiative at inception.
  • Mapping hardware logistics, mobile connectivity, and servicing protocols to ensure reliability in the field.

It was a tall task—so tall no one else had dared attempt it.
MRG worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Staples leadership to reframe the model, ultimately moving the relationship to Cayan Payments, a more flexible partner willing to build infrastructure around Staples’ needs. MRG’s role was to orchestrate the commercial, operational, and technical details:

  • Designing a merchant services program fit for a retailer with 1,500 physical touchpoints.
  • Resolving channel conflict that could have derailed the initiative at inception.
  • Mapping hardware logistics, mobile connectivity, and servicing protocols to ensure reliability in the field.

It was a tall task—so tall no one else had dared attempt it.

The Outcome

Staples Enters Financial Services

Staples Merchant Services launched across 1,500 stores, offering wireless and in-store payment processing. It marked Staples’ first move into monetizing financial services for SMB customers—unlocking a powerful new revenue stream.
Staples Merchant Services launched across 1,500 stores, offering wireless and in-store payment processing. It marked Staples’ first move into monetizing financial services for SMB customers—unlocking a powerful new revenue stream.

A Blueprint for Retail Monetization

What seemed impossible in 2007 became a playbook for today’s retailer-led merchant service models. Staples’ success proved that major brands could extend trust into payments and fintech offerings.
What seemed impossible in 2007 became a playbook for today’s retailer-led merchant service models. Staples’ success proved that major brands could extend trust into payments and fintech offerings.

A Hard Lesson in Strategic Partnerships

MRG learned that alliances only work when you get your hands dirty. Deep diligence and on-the-ground involvement are non-negotiable—some partnerships turn into lemonade, others simply aren’t worth squeezing.
MRG learned that alliances only work when you get your hands dirty. Deep diligence and on-the-ground involvement are non-negotiable—some partnerships turn into lemonade, others simply aren’t worth squeezing.

CASE-STUDIES

See our partnership success stories

Every partnership tells a story. From Microsoft to Deluxe, Endurance, and beyond, Merchant Resource Group has helped leading companies unlock new revenue, scale faster, and capture greater enterprise value. Explore how our strategies, playbooks, and precision execution have turned complex challenges into measurable results across payments, and ecommerce.

CASE-STUDIES

See our partnership success stories

Every partnership tells a story. From Microsoft to Deluxe, Endurance, and beyond, Merchant Resource Group has helped leading companies unlock new revenue, scale faster, and capture greater enterprise value. Explore how our strategies, playbooks, and precision execution have turned complex challenges into measurable results across payments, and ecommerce.

CASE-STUDIES

See our partnership success stories

Every partnership tells a story. From Microsoft to Deluxe, Endurance, and beyond, Merchant Resource Group has helped leading companies unlock new revenue, scale faster, and capture greater enterprise value. Explore how our strategies, playbooks, and precision execution have turned complex challenges into measurable results across payments, and ecommerce.

Our Awesome Journey

Our Awesome Journey

Our Story

To date, we have sold over 50,000 merchant accounts and worked with some of the most credible brands.

1998

Founded on Microsoft Roots, Built for Small Business

Spawned from Peter's days at Microsoft, Merchant Resource Group (MRG) was founded on the simple principle that small businesses should be able to leverage tech without having to learn it.

1998

Founded on Microsoft Roots, Built for Small Business

Spawned from Peter's days at Microsoft, Merchant Resource Group (MRG) was founded on the simple principle that small businesses should be able to leverage tech without having to learn it.

1998

Co-Founder, Cardservice NetCommerce (Acquired 2002)

Co-Founded Cardservice international NetCommerce, acquired by iPayment in 2002.

1998

Co-Founder, Cardservice NetCommerce (Acquired 2002)

Co-Founded Cardservice international NetCommerce, acquired by iPayment in 2002.

1999

Co-Founder, AmeriMerchant (Acquired by Capify, 2003)

Co-Founded AmeriMerchant, the larget cash adcancec payments company lending over $1B to small business since its inception. Acquired by Capify in 2003.

1999

Co-Founder, AmeriMerchant (Acquired by Capify, 2003)

Co-Founded AmeriMerchant, the larget cash adcancec payments company lending over $1B to small business since its inception. Acquired by Capify in 2003.

2004

Founder, InternetMerchant.com (Acquired by PowerPay/EVO, 2009)

Founded InternetMerchant.com, acquired by PowerPay/EVO in 2009

2004

Founder, InternetMerchant.com (Acquired by PowerPay/EVO, 2009)

Founded InternetMerchant.com, acquired by PowerPay/EVO in 2009

2007

Founded iPayment USA, acquired by PaySafe

Founded iPayment USA, acquired by PaySafe

2007

Founded iPayment USA, acquired by PaySafe

Founded iPayment USA, acquired by PaySafe

2018

Joint Venture with Deluxe Corporation

Joint venture with Deluxe Corporation building a $10M+ book of business within 2 years

2018

Joint Venture with Deluxe Corporation

Joint venture with Deluxe Corporation building a $10M+ book of business within 2 years

2020

MRG Launches Persistent.ID

MRG acquires PersonLink and launches Persistent.ID to address digital marketing that our merchants need to succeed, increasing sales and average ticket per sale with email marketing.

2020

MRG Launches Persistent.ID

MRG acquires PersonLink and launches Persistent.ID to address digital marketing that our merchants need to succeed, increasing sales and average ticket per sale with email marketing.

2021

MRG Invests in Convesio & Klickly

MRG strategically invested in Convesio and Klickly to fuel a dynamic, high-performing martech ecosystem with advanced auto-scaling infrastructure and AI-driven commerce solutions

2021

MRG Invests in Convesio & Klickly

MRG strategically invested in Convesio and Klickly to fuel a dynamic, high-performing martech ecosystem with advanced auto-scaling infrastructure and AI-driven commerce solutions

2024

Developed & Optimizing IntentWave Platform

Developed and actively optimizing Intentwave, our all-in-one SaaS MarTech platform to integrate full-funnel sales and marketing tools. We provide top-tier automation, real-time insights, and a revenue-driven ecosystem, driving conversions and scaling with precision.

2024

Developed & Optimizing IntentWave Platform

Developed and actively optimizing Intentwave, our all-in-one SaaS MarTech platform to integrate full-funnel sales and marketing tools. We provide top-tier automation, real-time insights, and a revenue-driven ecosystem, driving conversions and scaling with precision.

Our Awesome Journey

Our Story

To date, we have sold over 50,000 merchant accounts and worked with some of the most credible brands.

1998

Founded on Microsoft Roots, Built for Small Business

Spawned from Peter's days at Microsoft, Merchant Resource Group (MRG) was founded on the simple principle that small businesses should be able to leverage tech without having to learn it.

1998

Co-Founder, Cardservice NetCommerce (Acquired 2002)

Co-Founded Cardservice international NetCommerce, acquired by iPayment in 2002.

1999

Co-Founder, AmeriMerchant (Acquired by Capify, 2003)

Co-Founded AmeriMerchant, the larget cash adcancec payments company lending over $1B to small business since its inception. Acquired by Capify in 2003.

2004

Founder, InternetMerchant.com (Acquired by PowerPay/EVO, 2009)

Founded InternetMerchant.com, acquired by PowerPay/EVO in 2009

2007

Founded iPayment USA, acquired by PaySafe

Founded iPayment USA, acquired by PaySafe

2018

Joint Venture with Deluxe Corporation

Joint venture with Deluxe Corporation building a $10M+ book of business within 2 years

2020

MRG Launches Persistent.ID

MRG acquires PersonLink and launches Persistent.ID to address digital marketing that our merchants need to succeed, increasing sales and average ticket per sale with email marketing.

2021

MRG Invests in Convesio & Klickly

MRG strategically invested in Convesio and Klickly to fuel a dynamic, high-performing martech ecosystem with advanced auto-scaling infrastructure and AI-driven commerce solutions

2024

Developed & Optimizing IntentWave Platform

Developed and actively optimizing Intentwave, our all-in-one SaaS MarTech platform to integrate full-funnel sales and marketing tools. We provide top-tier automation, real-time insights, and a revenue-driven ecosystem, driving conversions and scaling with precision.