<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001157523-08-004426
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20080520
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20080520
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20080520
<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>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-17586
<FILM-NUMBER>08847132
</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>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a5689565.htm
<DESCRIPTION>STAPLES, INC. 8-K
<TEXT>
<html>
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    <title></title>
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    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">UNITED STATES</font><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><br style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"></font><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">WASHINGTON,
      D.C. 20549</font><br>
    </p>
    <hr style="color: #000000; text-align: center; height: 1.0 pt; width: 33%">


    <p style="text-align: center">
      <br>
      <font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">FORM 8-K</font><br><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">CURRENT
      REPORT</font><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">PURSUANT
      TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF</font><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">THE
      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font><br><br><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Date
      of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 20, 2008</font><br><br>
    </p>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            STAPLES, INC.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <p style="text-align: center">

    </p>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Delaware
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 34%; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            0-17586
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            04-2896127
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            (State or other jurisdiction
          </p>
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            of incorporation)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 34%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            (Commission
          </p>
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            File Number)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            (IRS Employer
          </p>
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Identification No.)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 67%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Five Hundred Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            01702
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 67%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">(Address
            of principal executive offices)</font>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center" valign="bottom">
          <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">(Zip
          Code)</font>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Registrant&#8217;s
      telephone number, including area code: </font>508-253-5000<br>
    </p>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <br>

    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Check the
      appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
      simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
      of the following provisions:</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial Unicode MS">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial Unicode MS">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial Unicode MS">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial Unicode MS">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))</font>
    </p>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p>
      <b><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Item
      2.02&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Results of Operations and Financial Condition</font></b><br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      On May 20, 2008, Staples, Inc. announced its financial results for the
      quarter ended May 3, 2008. The full text of the press release issued in
      connection with the announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this
      Current Report on Form 8-K.<br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall
      not be deemed &quot;filed&quot; for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 (the &quot;Exchange Act&quot;) or otherwise subject to the
      liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by
      reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange
      Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a
      filing.<br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left">
      <b><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Item
      9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></b><br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; text-align: left">
      The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such
      exhibits are furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.<br>
    </p>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">SIGNATURE</font>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px">
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Pursuant to
      the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
      has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
      undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font>
    </p>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 5%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Date:
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            May 20, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Staples, Inc.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 45%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 5%; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 5%; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          By:
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            /s/ Kristin A. Campbell
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 45%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Kristin A. Campbell
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 45%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Senior Vice President,
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 45%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            General Counsel and Secretary
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <p>

    </p>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p style="text-align: center">

    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">EXHIBIT INDEX</font>
    </p>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 40%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            <u>Exhibit No.</u>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 60%; text-align: left" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            <u>Description</u>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 40%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 60%">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 40%; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">
          99.1
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 60%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Press release dated May 20, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a5689565ex99_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
<html>
  <head>
    <title></title>
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  <body style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 8pt">
    <p style="text-align: right">
      <b>Exhibit 99.1</b>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <b><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Staples,
      Inc. Announces First Quarter Performance</font></b>
    </p>
    <p>
      FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS)
      announced today the results for its first quarter ended May 3, 2008.
      Total company sales increased six percent to $4.9 billion compared to
      the first quarter of 2007. Net income rose two percent year over year to
      $212 million, and earnings per share, on a diluted basis, increased
      three percent to $0.30, from the $0.29 achieved in the first quarter of
      last year.
    </p>
    <p>
      North American Retail sales grew two percent in the first quarter, and
      comparable store sales decreased six percent versus 2007, reflecting
      declines in customer traffic and average order size. North American
      Delivery continued its industry-leading growth, increasing sales eight
      percent versus last year&#8217;s first quarter. Total International sales
      increased 19 percent in US dollars, benefiting from a $72 million
      foreign currency impact, and increased eight percent in local currency.
      International comparable store sales increased four percent versus 2007.
    </p>
    <p>
      &#8220;We are pleased to deliver solid results in a challenging quarter,&#8221; said
      Ron Sargent, Staples&#8217; chairman and chief executive officer. &#8220;We continue
      to gain share while we invest in growth ideas to strengthen our market
      position.&#8221;
    </p>
    <p>
      Highlights for the first quarter include:
    </p>
    <p>
      <u>Total Company</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved record first quarter sales of $4.9 billion.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Operating income rate declined 44 basis points to 6.59 percent,
        reflecting operating expense deleverage offset by a modest improvement
        in gross profit rate.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened 38 new stores worldwide, ending the first quarter operating
        2,076 stores.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Generated first quarter free cash flow of $225 million after $74
        million in capital expenditures, compared to free cash flow of $115
        million for the same period last year.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Repurchased 2.8 million shares of stock for $65 million during the
        first quarter and spent $231 million to pay its annual cash dividend.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <div style="text-indent: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>
      <u>North American Retail</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved record first quarter sales of $2.4 billion.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved all-time high customer satisfaction scores.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened 35 new stores, ending the first quarter with 1,773 stores in
        North America.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reported a 103 basis point decline in operating income rate to 6.99
        percent versus 2007, reflecting deleverage in rent and operating
        expense despite tight expense control and increased product margin
        rate.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reduced average inventory per store by five percent.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <p>
      <u>North American Delivery</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved record first quarter sales of $1.7 billion, reflecting
        continued success in Contract account acquisition and share of wallet
        initiatives throughout North American Delivery, including Staples
        Promotional Products, Staples Industrial, and copy and print services.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reported a 4 basis point decline in operating income rate to 9.49
        percent versus 2007, reflecting improvement in our supply chain and
        product margin rate more than offset by investment in growth
        initiatives.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <p>
      <u>International</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved record first quarter sales of $756 million, reflecting
        mid-teens growth in US dollars in Europe.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        European Retail comparable store sales rose four percent, led by
        double-digit comparable stores sales in the UK.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Sustained momentum in China with sales nearly doubling versus the
        prior year&#8217;s first quarter.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Drove continued profit improvement with operating income rate up 71
        basis points year over year to 3.15 percent.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened two stores in the UK and one store in Belgium, ending the first
        quarter with 271 stores in Europe and 32 stores in China.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>
      <b>Outlook</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      The company expects the weak economic climate to continue throughout
      2008. Based on this expectation, and continued investment in growth
      initiatives, the company&#8217;s previous full year outlook remains unchanged.
      The company expects to achieve mid single-digit sales growth and high
      single-digit earnings per share growth for 2008, excluding the
      previously disclosed impact to 2007 earnings for the $38 million pre-tax
      charge ($24 million after-tax or $0.04 per diluted share) related to the
      settlement of California wage and hour class action litigation. The
      company expects flat earnings per share growth for the second quarter.
      The company&#8217;s guidance for future periods excludes any potential impact
      relating to its previously announced proposal to acquire all of the
      outstanding capital stock of Corporate Express N.V.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Today's Conference Call</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      The company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to
      review these results and its outlook. Investors may listen to the call
      at <u>http://investor.staples.com</u>.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>About Staples</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today
      is the world's largest office products company. With 76,000 talented
      associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide
      range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and
      business services. With 2007 sales of $19.4 billion, Staples serves
      consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune
      500 companies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe
      and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than
      2,000 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail
      order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is
      available at <u>www.staples.com</u>.
    </p>
    <p>
      Certain information contained in this news release constitutes
      forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of
      The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not
      limited to, the information set forth under the heading &#8220;Outlook&#8221; and
      other statements regarding our future business and financial
      performance. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated
      by such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and
      uncertainties, including but not limited to: our market is highly
      competitive and we may not continue to compete successfully; economic
      conditions may cause a decline in business and consumer spending; we may
      be unable to continue to open new stores and enter new markets
      successfully; our growth may strain our operations; we may not
      consummate our proposed acquisition of Corporate Express N.V. or realize
      any benefits if we do complete the acquisition; we may be unable to
      attract and retain qualified associates; our quarterly operating results
      are subject to significant fluctuation; our expanding international
      operations expose us to the unique risks inherent in foreign operations;
      our business may be adversely affected by the actions of and risks
      associated with our third party vendors; our expanded offering of
      proprietary branded products may not improve our financial performance
      and may expose us to intellectual property and product liability claims;
      our debt level and operating lease commitments may impact our ability to
      obtain future financing and continue our growth strategy; our effective
      tax rate may fluctuate; our information security may be compromised;
      various legal proceedings may adversely affect our business and
      financial performance; and those other factors discussed or referenced
      in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, under
      the heading &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; and elsewhere, and any subsequent periodic or
      current reports filed by us with the SEC. In addition, any
      forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of the date
      of this release and should not be relied upon as representing our
      estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update
      forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically
      disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.
    </p>
    <p>
      Financial information follows.
    </p>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 8pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>Consolidated Balance Sheets</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          May 3,
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          February 2,
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          2008
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          2008
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>ASSETS</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Current assets:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Cash and cash equivalents
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,204,730
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,245,448
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Short-term investments
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          17,027
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          27,016
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Receivables, net
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          894,652
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          822,254
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Merchandise inventories, net
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,044,491
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,053,163
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Deferred income tax asset
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          174,693
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          173,545
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          220,464
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          233,956
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total current assets</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,556,057
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,555,382
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Property and equipment:</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Land and buildings
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          874,526
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          859,751
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Leasehold improvements
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,153,930
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,135,132
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Equipment
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,855,981
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,819,381
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Furniture and fixtures
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          888,801
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          871,361
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total property and equipment</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,773,238
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,685,625
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,628,508
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,524,486
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Net property and equipment</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,144,730
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,161,139
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Lease acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          30,588
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          31,399
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          227,208
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          231,310
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Goodwill</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,815,265
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,764,928
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Other assets</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          287,667
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          292,186
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total assets</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,061,515
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,036,344
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Current liabilities:</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Accounts payable
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,638,284
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,560,728
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          955,807
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,025,364
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Debt maturing within one year
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          28,537
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          23,806
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total current liabilities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,622,628
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,609,898
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Long-term debt</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          338,380
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          342,169
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Other long-term obligations</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          362,026
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          356,043
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Minority interest</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          10,439
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          10,227
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Stockholders' equity:</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no
          shares issued
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          -
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          -
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" rowspan="2" valign="bottom">
          Common stock, $.0006 par value, 2,100,000,000 shares authorized;
          issued 869,366,814 shares at May 3, 2008 and 867,366,103 shares at
          February 2, 2008
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          522
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          520
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Additional paid-in capital
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,760,126
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,720,319
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          532,205
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          476,399
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Retained earnings
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,774,364
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,793,542
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" rowspan="2" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Less: Treasury stock at cost - 165,633,466 shares at May 3, 2008,
            and 162,728,588 shares at February 2, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3,339,175
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3,272,773
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total stockholders' equity</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,728,042
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,718,007
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total liabilities and stockholders' equity</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,061,515
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,036,344
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 8pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>Consolidated Statements of Income</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="7" valign="bottom">
          <b>13 weeks ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>May 3,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>May 5,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Sales
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,884,554
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,589,465
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,513,632
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,304,526
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Gross profit</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,370,922
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,284,939
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Operating and other expenses:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Operating and selling
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          831,929
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          759,714
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          General and administrative
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          212,872
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          199,181
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Amortization of intangibles
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,156
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,433
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total operating expenses</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,048,957
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          962,328
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Operating income
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          321,965
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          322,611
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Other income (expense):</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Interest income
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          11,488
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          15,551
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Interest expense
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (7,256
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (11,135
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Miscellaneous income (expense)
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          215
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (597
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Income before income taxes and minority interest</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          326,412
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          326,430
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Income tax expense
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          114,244
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          117,515
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Income before minority interests</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          212,168
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          208,915
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Minority interest income
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (114
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (228
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          212,282
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          209,143
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Earnings Per Share:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 25.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          Basic earnings per common share
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.31
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.29
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 25.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          Diluted earnings per common share
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.30
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.29
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          Dividends declared per common share
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.33
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.29
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Weighted average shares outstanding:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 25.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Basic
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          693,402,056
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          711,498,997
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 25.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Diluted
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          707,937,166
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          728,916,934
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 8pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="12" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="7" valign="bottom">
          <b>13 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>May 3,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>May 5,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Operating Activities:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Net income
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          212,282
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          209,143
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
            operating activities:
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Depreciation and amortization
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          105,287
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          93,560
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Stock-based compensation
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          33,362
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          34,260
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Deferred tax benefit
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          38
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          23,632
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (991
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (12,555
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Other
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,157
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (2,587
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Changes in assets and liabilities:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Increase in receivables
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (65,186
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (10,272
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Decrease (increase) in merchandise inventories
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          14,199
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (49,600
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          16,651
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (15,347
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          69,182
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (11,618
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (91,433
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (134,681
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Increase in other long-term obligations
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,650
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          55,113
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash provided by operating activities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          299,198
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          179,048
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Investing Activities:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Acquisition of property and equipment
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (73,894
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (64,101
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Acquisition of businesses and investments in joint ventures, net of
          cash acquired
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          -
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (7,299
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,992
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,137,785
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Purchase of short-term investments
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (2,083,962
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash used in investing activities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (63,905
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (17,577
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Financing Activities:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" rowspan="2" valign="bottom">
          Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the sale of stock
          under employee stock purchase plans
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,308
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          63,933
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Proceeds from borrowings
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,996
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          14,151
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Payments on borrowings
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (2,262
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (675
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Cash dividends paid
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (231,460
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (207,551
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          991
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          12,555
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="3" valign="top">
          Purchase of treasury stock, net
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (66,402
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (195,602
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash used in financing activities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (287,829
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (313,189
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          11,818
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          17,515
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (40,718
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (134,203
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" colspan="4" valign="top">
          Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,245,448
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,017,671
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" colspan="4" valign="top">
          <b>Cash and cash equivalents at end of period</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,204,730
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          883,468
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-right: 0pt">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="color: black; height: 1.5pt">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <table cellspacing="0" style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 8pt">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>Segment Reporting</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="9" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="7" valign="bottom">
          <b>13 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>May 3,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>May 5,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap" colspan="3" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Sales:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          North American Retail
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,408,501
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,363,603
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          North American Delivery
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,720,491
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,593,029
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          International Operations
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          755,562
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          632,833
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total sales</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,884,554
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,589,465
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Business Unit Income:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          North American Retail
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          168,242
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          189,552
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          North American Delivery
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          163,262
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          151,830
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          International Operations
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          23,823
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          15,489
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total business unit income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          355,327
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          356,871
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Stock-based compensation
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (33,362
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (34,260
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total segment income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          321,965
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          322,611
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">
          Interest and other income, net
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,447
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,819
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Income before income taxes and minority interest</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          326,412
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-left: 0.0px; padding-right: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          326,430
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p>
      CONTACT:<br>Staples, Inc.<br><b>Media Contact:</b><br>Paul Capelli/Owen
      Davis, 508-253-8530/8468<br>or<br><b>Investor Contact:</b><br>Laurel
      Lefebvre/Chris Powers, 508-253-4080/4632
    </p>
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</SUBMISSION>
