Staples.com Striving to be Teacher's Pet

While the exact success can't yet be measured, Staples.com certainly gets an “A” for effort with a new service that positions itself as the online teacher's aid.

Teachers who log on at www.staples.com/schoolzone can post their list of necessities. Hoping to boost the already robust back-to-school sales, Staples Inc. allows students to access the lists from home computers to shop online. Lists can also be printed in more than 900 Staples locations.

Analysts predict that getting educators to use the service will be the big challenge. The company is offering multiple incentives, including merchandise credits, bonus gifts and sweepstakes prizes.