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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Historical Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" in the Registration
Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-81503) and related Prospectus of Staples, Inc. for
the registration of 12,773,594 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 4, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Staples, Inc. included in
its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended January 30, 1999, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

June 24, 1999
