Staples in Ottawa

Q67: Will it be announced in 2015 that any Staples locations in Ottawa will close or change ownership?
Yes: 60%
No: 40%
(There are currently 8 Staples locations in Ottawa)

Like many big-box retailers, Staples has been experiencing problems in recent years.  Competition from other retailers (including online retailers) and the declining need for paper products are some of the problems.  Staples closed 15 of its 330 stores in Canada last year.  The stores in Bells Corners and Smiths Falls have recently closed.  Many store closures seem to be timed to be after the back-to-school season.

I think that it is quite likely that an additional location will close in 2015.  Stores seem to be closing at a fair rate, and there are a number of stores in Ottawa that might be vulnerable.  If 15 more stores close at random in 2015, then there is a 33% chance that a store in Ottawa will close.  This probably underestimates the chance of a closure, as store closures are likely to be more uniform than random store closings would be.