Staples, the world's second largest ecommerce company, has announced that it will open an eCommerce Innovation Center in Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA, near its Boston headquarters, in May. The office products supplier says that the new facility will house a number of teams that will design and implement new, innovative ecommerce solutions for Staples customers. The new initiative will allow Staples to further expand its informational technology, product management, usability and creative programs in an attempt to strengthen the multichannel customer experience across mobile devices, desktops, and retail stores, the company notes.

The innovation center comes on the heels of the launch of a new smartphone app and a mobile optimized website. "Cambridge is a hub of innovation, with both world class universities and technology companies," notes Brian Tilzer, vice president, ecommerce and business development for Staples.com. "Staples new eCommerce Innovation Center will become the home to some of the world's best ecommerce talent with the goal of rapidly bringing breakthrough new ideas to market in emerging online technologies like mobile commerce and social media."