<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001157523-08-006957
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20080819
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>7.01
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20080819
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20080819
<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>081026355
</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>a5758694.htm
<DESCRIPTION>STAPLES, INC. 8-K
<TEXT>
<html>
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    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">UNITED STATES</font><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><br style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman"></font><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">WASHINGTON,
      D.C. 20549</font><br><br>
    </p>
    <hr style="text-align: center; width: 33%; color: #000000; height: 1.0 pt">


    <p style="text-align: center">
      <br>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">FORM 8-K</font><br><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">CURRENT
      REPORT</font><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">PURSUANT
      TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF</font><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt">THE
      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font><br><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Date
      of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 19, 2008</font><br><br>
    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            STAPLES, INC.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p style="text-align: center">

    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Delaware
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 34%; padding-right: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; white-space: nowrap">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            0-17586
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; padding-right: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; white-space: nowrap">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            04-2896127
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (State or other jurisdiction
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            of incorporation)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 34%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Commission
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            File Number)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (IRS Employer
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Identification No.)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 67%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Five Hundred Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; padding-right: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; white-space: nowrap">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            01702
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 67%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">(Address
            of principal executive offices)</font>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="bottom" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%">
          <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">(Zip
          Code)</font>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <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>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <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="text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; 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>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><b>Item
      2.02&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Results of Operations and Financial Condition</b></font><br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 30.0px">
      On August 19, 2008, Staples, Inc. announced preliminary results for the
      quarter ended August 2, 2008.
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 30.0px">
      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.
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left">
      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.
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left">

    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><b>Item
      7.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Regulation FD Disclosure</b></font><br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 30.0px">
      On August 19, 2008, Staples, Inc. will hold a conference call at 8:00
      a.m. (EST) to discuss the company&#8217;s integration strategy for its recent
      acquisition of Corporate Express N.V. and its impact on the company&#8217;s
      future financial results.&#160;&#160;
    </p>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><b>Item
      9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits</b></font><br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 30.0px">
      The exhibit listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such
      exhibit is furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
    </p>
    <p>

    </p>
    <div style="text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; 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>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 5%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Date:
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            August 19, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
        <td valign="top" colspan="2" style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Staples, Inc.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 5%">

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="width: 60%">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 40%; padding-right: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap">
          99.1
        </td>
        <td valign="top" style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 60%">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Press release dated August 19, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a5758694ex99_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
<html>
  <head>
    <title></title>
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  <body style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman">
    <p style="text-align: right">
      <b>Exhibit 99.1</b>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>Staples,
      Inc. Details Corporate Express Integration Plans and Announces
      Preliminary Second Quarter Performance</b></font>
    </p>
    <p>
      FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS)
      announced today details related to the integration of Corporate Express,
      the anticipated impact of the acquisition on future results, as well as
      preliminary results for its second quarter ended August 2, 2008.
    </p>
    <p>
      In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world&#8217;s
      leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions.
      Corporate Express has a widespread global distribution network and
      approximately 18,000 employees serving customers in 21 countries. With
      the addition of Corporate Express, Staples becomes a $27 billion company
      serving businesses of all sizes and consumers across 27 countries on
      five continents.
    </p>
    <p>
      &#8220;The combination of Staples and Corporate Express brings significant
      opportunities to our customers, associates and shareholders,&#8221; said Ron
      Sargent, Staples&#8217; chairman and chief executive officer. &#8220;The strength of
      our combined management team will allow us to take full advantage of
      this transformational acquisition, and create shareholder value for
      years to come.&#8221;
    </p>
    <p>
      The acquisition will greatly enhance Staples&#8217; position as the world&#8217;s
      premier office products company, expanding global operations and
      establishing a contract business in new geographies, including Canada,
      Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, Corporate Express
      provides enhanced product and service offerings, increased distribution
      network density and the addition of a strong and tenured management team.
    </p>
    <div style="text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; 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>
      Key additions to the Staples&#8217; management team include Peter Ventress,
      who has been named President, Staples International, a new position
      reporting to Ron Sargent, and will oversee Staples&#8217; business outside of
      the US and Canada. Jay Mutschler is responsible for Staples&#8217; Fortune
      1000 contract business in the US, reporting to Jay Baitler, Executive
      Vice President, Contract. Other key leaders joining Staples&#8217; team
      include Michael Zahra, head of the Canadian Contract business, Peter
      Damman, head of the Contract business in Europe, and Grant Harrod,
      Managing Director and CEO of Corporate Express Australia. Shira Goodman,
      Staples&#8217; Executive Vice President, Marketing, and Tim Beauchamp,
      Corporate Express&#8217; Senior Vice President, Customer Care and Distribution
      Operations, are leading the integration planning process.
    </p>
    <p>
      Integration efforts are well underway, with senior leaders from Staples
      and Corporate Express working together on more than a dozen committees
      to identify and capture synergies. Primary synergy opportunities include
      consolidated purchasing, overhead efficiencies, sharing of best
      practices, and logistics network efficiencies. Over the three year
      integration period, management anticipates total annual synergies to
      build to a range of $200 million to $300 million.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Preliminary Q2 2008 Performance &#8211; Staples&#8217; Pre-Acquisition Business</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Challenging market conditions continued during the company&#8217;s second
      quarter, resulting in weaker than anticipated results in Staples&#8217;
      pre-acquisition business (which excludes the results of Corporate
      Express). Sales increased approximately three percent and earnings per
      share, on a diluted basis, decreased approximately 15 percent compared
      to the second quarter 2007.
    </p>
    <p>
      North American Retail sales decreased approximately one percent in the
      second quarter, and comparable store sales decreased approximately seven
      percent versus 2007, reflecting continued weakness in customer traffic
      and average order size. North American Delivery grew sales approximately
      two percent, and International sales increased approximately 17 percent
      in US dollars and approximately six percent in local currency. During
      the second quarter of 2008, comparable store sales in Europe were also
      impacted by weakness in customer traffic and average order size,
      decreasing seven percent versus 2007.
    </p>
    <div style="text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; 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>
      The company&#8217;s second quarter results also reflect strong performance in
      the areas of customer service, new merchandising initiatives, variable
      expense management, inventory control, and free cash flow.
    </p>
    <p>
      On September 3, 2008, Staples will report results for the second quarter
      ended August 2, 2008, which will include the results of Corporate
      Express for July 2008.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Outlook</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      For its pre-acquisition business, Staples expects low single-digit sales
      growth and flat earnings per share, on a diluted basis, for 2008. This
      excludes the previously disclosed impact on 2007 earnings for the $38
      million pre-tax charge related to the settlement of California wage and
      hour class action litigation, as well as the impact of the Corporate
      Express acquisition. On a GAAP basis, the company expects the
      acquisition of Corporate Express to be slightly accretive to 2008
      earnings per diluted share. As a result of the Corporate Express
      acquisition, the company&#8217;s estimated incremental interest expense is
      more than $100 million in the back half of 2008. The company&#8217;s
      preliminary forecast for amortization of intangibles is a range of $50
      million to $70 million for the same period. The company expects these
      expenses to double in 2009. Additionally, Staples anticipates
      integration and restructuring expense to range from $30 million to $40
      million in the back half of 2008, and to range from $50 million to $70
      million in 2009.
    </p>
    <p>
      In the near term, Staples plans to deploy free cash flows primarily to
      repay short term debt, and therefore does not anticipate repurchasing
      any of its shares.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Today's Conference Call</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      As previously announced, the company will host a conference call today
      at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss additional details regarding the
      integration strategy of Corporate Express and the anticipated impact on
      future results. Investors may listen to the call at <u>http://investor.staples.com</u>.
    </p>
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    </div>
    <p>
      <b>About Staples</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Staples, the world&#8217;s largest office products company, is committed to
      making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products,
      including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With
      $27 billion in sales, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and
      consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe,
      Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express,
      one of the world&#8217;s leading suppliers of office products to businesses
      and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986
      and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples
      (Nasdaq: SPLS) 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 headings that include the
      words &#8220;Outlook&#8221; or &#8220;Estimates&#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 not be able to successfully integrate Corporate Express
      with existing operations or realize the anticipated benefits from the
      acquisition; we may be unable to continue to open new stores and enter
      new markets successfully; our growth may strain our operations; we
      incurred substantial debt with our Corporate Express acquisition and we
      may be unable to manage it; our outstanding debt obligations could
      restrict our operating flexibility; 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 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
      such statements are made (unless another date is indicated) 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>

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