<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001047469-08-005322
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<FILING-DATE>20080428
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20080428
<EFFECTIVENESS-DATE>20080428
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>STAPLES INC
<CIK>0000791519
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5940
<IRS-NUMBER>042896127
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0227
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>DEFA14A
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-17586
<FILM-NUMBER>08780847
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>500 STAPLES DRIVE
<STREET2>P O BOX 9328
<CITY>FRAMINGHAM
<STATE>MA
<ZIP>01702
<PHONE>5082535000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>500 STAPLES DR
<CITY>FRAMINGHAM
<STATE>MA
<ZIP>01702
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a2184958zdefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
<TEXT>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED
  STATES</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SCHEDULE 14A</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Proxy
  Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of<br>
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed by the Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font face="Wingdings">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed by a Party other than the
  Registrant</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Preliminary Proxy Statement</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential, for
  Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Definitive Proxy Statement</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Definitive Additional Materials</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting Material Pursuant to
  &#167;240.14a-12</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Staples,
  Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name
  of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name
  of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the
  appropriate box):</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">No fee required.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fee computed on table below per
  Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title of each class of securities to
  which transaction applies:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Aggregate number of securities to
  which transaction applies:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Per unit price or other underlying
  value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth
  the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
  determined):</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Proposed maximum aggregate value of
  transaction:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Total fee paid:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fee paid previously with preliminary
  materials.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check box if any part of the fee is
  offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
  for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
  filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date
  of its filing.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Amount Previously Paid:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form, Schedule or Registration
  Statement No.:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filing Party:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date Filed:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="38" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="33" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="2" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="675" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
<!-- ZEQ.=1,SEQ=1,EFW="2184958",CP="STAPLES,INC.",DN="1",CHK=607671,FOLIO='',FILE="DISK125:[08ZBE3.08ZBE18903]10089-3-BA_ZBE18903.CHC",USER="MSULLIV",CD='Apr 23 21:01 2008' -->



<div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">STAPLES, INC.</font></i></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">**
IMPORTANT NOTICE **</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Regarding
the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
Be Held on June&nbsp;9, 2008.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">You are receiving this
communication because you hold shares in the above company, and the materials
you should review before you cast your vote are now available.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">This
communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials
that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and
review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before
voting. The Proxy Statement and 2007 Annual Report are available at
www.proxyvote.com.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="150" height="79" src="g100893bci001.jpg"></font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">500 STAPLES DRIVE</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">FRAMINGHAM, MA 01702</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PROXY
MATERIAL - VIEW OR RECEIVE</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">You can
choose to view the material online or receive a paper or e-mail copy. If you
want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request
one.&#160; There is no charge to you for
requesting a copy.&#160; Please make your
request for a copy as instructed below on or before May&nbsp;26, 2008 to
facilitate timely delivery. Requests, instructions and other inquiries will NOT
be forwarded to your investment advisor.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">HOW TO VIEW
MATERIAL VIA THE INTERNET</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Have the 12 Digit Control
Number(s)&nbsp;available and visit: www.proxyvote.com</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">HOW TO
REQUEST A COPY OF MATERIAL</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="16%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">BY INTERNET</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:80.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">- www.proxyvote.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="16%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">BY TELEPHONE</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:80.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">- 1-800-579-1639</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="16%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">BY E-MAIL*</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:80.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">-
  sendmaterial@proxyvote.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">*If requesting material by
e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the 12 Digit Control Number (located on
the following page) in the subject line. State whether you wish to receive a
paper or email copy of the proxy materials and whether your request is for this
meeting and/or all future meetings.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">R1STP1</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">See the Reverse Side for Meeting
Information and Instructions on How to Vote</font></i></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
<!-- ZEQ.=1,SEQ=2,EFW="2184958",CP="STAPLES,INC.",DN="1",CHK=786964,FOLIO='',FILE="DISK125:[08ZBE3.08ZBE18903]10089-3-BC_ZBE18903.CHC",USER="MSULLIV",CD='Apr 23 21:03 2008' -->


<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders Meeting Information</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="14%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Meeting Type:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="83%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Annual</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="14%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Meeting Date:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="83%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">06/09/08</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="14%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Meeting Time:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="83%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3:30&nbsp;P.M. MDT</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="14%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:14.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For holders as of:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="83%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:83.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">04/14/08</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Meeting
Location:</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Ritz-Carlton, Denver</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1881 Curtis Street</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Denver, CO 80202</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Meeting
Directions:</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For Meeting Directions Please
Call: 1-800-468-7751</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">How To Vote</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Vote In Person</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">If you are attending the
Annual Meeting, please bring a picture ID and proof of share ownership, such as
a brokerage statement. At the Meeting you will need to request a ballot to vote
these shares.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Vote By Internet</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To vote <b><i style="font-weight:bold;">now</i></b> by Internet, go
to <b>WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM.</b></font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Use the Internet to transmit
your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until
11:59&nbsp;P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your 12
Digit Control Number(s)&nbsp;available when you access the web site and follow
the instructions.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">R1STP2</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Voting items</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE &#147;FOR&#148; ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW, &#147;FOR&#148;
ITEMS 2, 3, 4 AND 5, AND &#147;AGAINST&#148; ITEM 6.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; To elect twelve directors to serve for a one-year term
expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="80%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:.5in;width:80.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Nominees:</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1a.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Basil L. Anderson</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1b.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Arthur M. Blank</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1c.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mary Elizabeth Burton</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1d.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Justin King</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1e.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Carol Meyrowitz</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1f.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Rowland T. Moriarty</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1g.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Robert C. Nakasone</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1h.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ronald L. Sargent</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1i.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Robert E. Sulentic</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1j.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Martin Trust</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1k.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Vijay Vishwanath</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1l.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:93.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Paul F. Walsh</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To approve an amendment to
  Staples&#146; certificate of incorporation deleting Article&nbsp;XII in order to
  remove provisions that require holders of at least two-thirds of Staples&#146;
  outstanding voting stock to approve certain significant corporate
  transactions.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To approve Staples&#146;
  Executive Officer Incentive Plan for the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To approve an amendment to
  Staples&#146; Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan increasing the total
  number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan by
  15,100,000 shares, from 62,330,000 shares to 77,430,000 shares.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To ratify the selection by
  the Audit Committee of Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP as Staples&#146; independent
  registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">6.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To act on a shareholder
  proposal regarding stockholders&#146; ability to call special meetings expected to
  come before the meeting.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">7.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In the discretion of the
  persons named in the proxy, to act upon such other matters that may properly
  come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">R1STP3</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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