Could this mean other stores are going to follow, and that for anyone to get any ribbon at all must have access to a computer and a credit card, or could they just order through the store?

In the US, I believe Staples stopped carrying universal typewriter ribbon a while ago; at least I have not seen it in my area (Ohio) or on their US website either--just calculator ribbons, and various electric/electronic style cartridge ribbons.

Fleetwing wrote:

Yes, I agree. The brand is Porelon, and the item is packaged as being printer ribbon -- black ribbon only, in universal-type spools.They had this item in-store (never more than two or three on the rack) until a few weeks ago.

Currently the only Porelon ribbon they carry, that I can find in their store or online, is calculator ribbon, which will work in a typewriter, but is much shorter.

SoucekFan wrote:

In the US, I believe Staples stopped carrying universal typewriter ribbon a while ago; at least I have not seen it in my area (Ohio) or on their US website either--just calculator ribbons, and various electric/electronic style cartridge ribbons.

Here's the linkto the standard typewriter ribbon on the Canadian website, but it's showing out of stock at the moment. When I searched on the US site I was surprised that it forced me to select a brand/model to continue the search. Sure, ribbon is easy to get online, but I always liked the fact that it was available at a reasonable price, locally; it will be a real shame if Staples drops the standard ribbon, surely there are enough typewriter owners and ribbon demand in North America to keep that option open? There's also a Michael's in the same area, but as Spazmelda reported those ribbons are ridiculously short and suited for arts and crafts, not novel-length projects.