<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001157523-08-007241
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20080903
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20080903
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20080903
<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>081052640
</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>a5768745.htm
<DESCRIPTION>STAPLES, INC. 8-K
<TEXT>
<html>
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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><br>
    </p>
    <hr style="color: #000000; width: 33%; text-align: center; height: 1.0 pt">


    <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): September 3, 2008</font><br><br>
    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" 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>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Delaware
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 34%; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            0-17586
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" 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>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 67%; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Five Hundred Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 33%; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" 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>
    </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="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <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>
    </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="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

        </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><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><br style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"></font>
    </p>
    <p style="font-family: Times New Roman; text-indent: 30.0px; font-size: 10pt">
      On September 3, 2008, Staples, Inc. announced its financial results for
      the quarter ended August 2, 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.
    </p>
    <p style="font-family: Times New Roman; text-indent: 30.0px; font-size: 10pt">

    </p>
    <p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 30.0px">
      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>

    </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><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><br style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"></font>
    </p>
    <p style="font-family: Times New Roman; text-indent: 30.0px; font-size: 10pt">
      The exhibit listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such
      exhibit is furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

        </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><br>
    </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>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px">

    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <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">
            September 3, 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-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 5%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 5%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          By:
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 45%; text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" 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>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

        </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><br>
    </p>
    <div style="text-align:center">
    <table style="width: 100%; margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 20%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            <u>Exhibit No.</u>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="width: 10%">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 70%; text-align: left" valign="bottom">
          <u>Description</u>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 20%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 10%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 70%">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; width: 20%; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">
          99.1
        </td>
        <td style="width: 10%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; width: 70%; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Press release dated September 3, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a5768745ex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
<html>
  <head>
    <title></title>
<!--Copyright 2008 Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company.-->
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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">
      <font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman"><b>Staples,
      Inc. Announces Second Quarter Performance Including Results of Corporate
      Express for July 2008</b></font>
    </p>
    <p>
      FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS)
      announced today the results for its second quarter ended August 2, 2008,
      including the results of Corporate Express for July 2008. Total company
      sales increased 18 percent to $5.1 billion compared to the second
      quarter of 2007. Net income declined 16 percent year over year to $150
      million, and earnings per share, on a diluted basis, decreased 16
      percent to $0.21, from the $0.25 achieved in the second quarter of last
      year. Excluding the impact of Corporate Express, second quarter sales
      increased three percent to $4.4 billion and earnings per share, on a
      diluted basis, decreased 16 percent to $0.21.
    </p>
    <p>
      North American Retail sales decreased one percent in the second quarter,
      and comparable store sales decreased seven percent versus 2007,
      reflecting declines in customer traffic and average order size as well
      as weakness in furniture, desktop computers, printers and digital
      cameras, partially offset by strength in laptops, ink and technology
      services.
    </p>
    <p>
      Including $355 million of Corporate Express sales for July 2008, North
      American Delivery grew sales 25 percent to $2.0 billion. Excluding the
      impact of Corporate Express, North American Delivery sales grew two
      percent to $1.6 billion during the second quarter reflecting strong
      customer acquisition and retention offset by lower spend per existing
      customer, particularly in durable categories such as furniture.
    </p>
    <p>
      Including $318 million of Corporate Express sales for July 2008,
      International sales increased 69 percent to $1.0 billion. Excluding the
      impact of Corporate Express, International sales grew 17 percent in US
      dollars and six percent in local currency compared to 2007. During the
      second quarter of 2008, comparable store sales in Europe were impacted
      by weakness in customer traffic and average order size, decreasing seven
      percent versus the same period in 2007.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>
      &#8220;I am proud of our team for continuing to manage our business carefully
      during challenging economic times,&#8221; said Ron Sargent, Staples&#8217; chairman
      and chief executive officer. &#8220;We are optimistic about the future for
      each of our three businesses. We&#8217;re excited about the opportunity to
      drive immediate shareholder value by integrating the Corporate Express
      acquisition into our North American Delivery business, we&#8217;re working
      hard to improve store productivity in North American Retail, and we&#8217;re
      taking the right steps to build on our foundation for long term growth
      in International markets.&#8221;
    </p>
    <p>
      Highlights for the second quarter include:
    </p>
    <p>
      <u>Total Company</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Successfully completed the acquisition of Corporate Express.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved second quarter sales of $5.1 billion, including $673 million
        of Corporate Express sales for July 2008.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Operating income rate declined 170 basis points to 4.84 percent
        compared to the second quarter of 2007.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Excluding the impact of Corporate Express, operating income rate
        declined 127 basis points to 5.27 percent, primarily reflecting margin
        pressure in our North American Retail business.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened 35 stores, closed five stores, and acquired 65 stores worldwide
        as a result of the Corporate Express acquisition, ending the second
        quarter operating 2,171 stores.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Generated year to date free cash flow of $19 million after $169
        million in capital expenditures, compared to free cash flow of $1
        million for the same period last year.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <p>
      <u>North American Retail</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved second quarter sales of $2.1 billion.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reported a 213 basis point decline in operating income rate to 5.29
        percent versus the same period in 2007, primarily reflecting
        deleverage in rent and labor expense despite tight control of variable
        expenses and a slight increase in product margin rate.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved all-time high customer satisfaction scores.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened 28 stores, closed one store, and acquired two Canadian stores
        as a result of the Corporate Express acquisition, ending the second
        quarter with 1,802 stores in North America.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reduced average inventory per store by 14 percent.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>
      <u>North American Delivery</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved second quarter sales of $2.0 billion, including $355 million
        of Corporate Express sales for July 2008.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reported a 183 basis point decline in operating income rate to 8.83
        percent versus the same period in 2007.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Excluding Corporate Express, reported an 11 basis point decline in
        operating income rate to 10.55 percent versus the same period in 2007.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Contract and Staples Business Delivery call centers recognized by J.D.
        Power and Associates for customer service excellence.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <p>
      <u>International</u>
    </p>
    <ul>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Achieved second quarter sales of $1.0 billion, including $318 million
        of Corporate Express sales for July 2008.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Reported a 73 basis point improvement in operating income rate to 1.46
        percent versus the same period in 2007.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Excluding Corporate Express, reported a 1 basis point decline in
        operating income rate to 0.72 percent versus the same period in 2007.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened three stores in Portugal, and acquired 63 European stores as a
        result of the Corporate Express acquisition, ending the second quarter
        with 337 stores in Europe and 31 stores in China.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Sustained top line momentum in China, with sales nearly doubling
        versus the prior year&#8217;s second quarter.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Opened the company&#8217;s first South American retail store in Argentina.
      </li>
      <li style="margin-bottom: 10.0px">
        Named former Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Express, Peter
        Ventress, to the new role of President, International.
      </li>
    </ul>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>
      <b>Outlook</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Staples maintains its previous outlook, announced on August 19, 2008. On
      a GAAP basis, including modest accretion from Corporate Express, Staples
      expects low single-digit earnings per share growth for the full year,
      compared to $1.38 reported for 2007.
    </p>
    <p>
      As a result of the Corporate Express acquisition, the company
      anticipates total annual synergies to build, over a three year period,
      to a range of $200 million to $300 million. 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>
      For its pre-acquisition business, Staples expects low single-digit sales
      growth for 2008. On a non-GAAP basis, the company anticipates that
      diluted earnings per share will be flat 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.
    </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>Presentation of Non-GAAP Information</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      This press release presents certain results both with and without the
      July 2008 results of Corporate Express. The presentation of results that
      exclude these items are non-GAAP financial measures that should be
      considered in addition to, and should not be considered superior to or
      as a substitute for, the presentation of results determined in
      accordance with GAAP. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial
      measures presented in this press release provide a more meaningful
      comparison of the company&#8217;s year-over-year performance. Management also
      uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the company&#8217;s
      pre-acquisition operating results against prior year results and its
      operating plan.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <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, 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 which could adversely affect our business and financial
      performance; we may not be able to successfully integrate Corporate
      Express into our existing operations to realize anticipated benefits and
      our growth may strain our operations; we may be unable to continue to
      open new stores and enter new markets successfully; if we are unable to
      manage our debt, it could materially harm our business and financial
      condition and 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q 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>
      Financial information follows.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="11" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="11" valign="top">
          <b>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="11" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="11" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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 style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          August 2,
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2008
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2008
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="3" 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="3" 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="2" valign="top">
          Cash and cash equivalents
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          258,444
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Short-term investments
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Receivables, net
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,230,032
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Merchandise inventories, net
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,934,892
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          167,173
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          269,598
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          233,956
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,860,139
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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 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="3" 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="2" valign="top">
          Land and buildings
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,161,686
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Leasehold improvements
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,165,106
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Equipment
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,081,470
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Furniture and fixtures
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          908,673
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          871,361
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,316,935
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,727,429
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,524,486
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,589,506
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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 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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          29,967
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,075,068
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          <b>Goodwill</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,443,547
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          <b>Other assets</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,210,517
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          292,186
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          15,208,744
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" 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 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="3" 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="3" 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="2" valign="top">
          Accounts payable
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,799,763
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,017,419
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Commercial paper
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,992,993
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Debt maturing within one year
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          584,290
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          23,806
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,394,465
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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 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="3" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          864,843
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="3" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          928,236
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="3" valign="top">
          <b>Minority interest</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          80,327
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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 colspan="3">

        </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="3" 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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          -
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Common stock, $.0006 par value, 2,100,000,000 shares authorized;
            issued 878,326,991 shares at August 2, 2008 and 867,366,103 shares
            at February 2, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          527
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Additional paid-in capital
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,878,412
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          489,931
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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="2" valign="top">
          Retained earnings
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,924,590
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Less: Treasury stock at cost - 166,244,823 shares at August 2,
            2008 and 162,728,588 shares at February 2, 2008
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (3,352,587
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          5,940,873
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          5,718,007
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          15,208,744
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          9,036,344
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" valign="top">
          <b>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" 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="17" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

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

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="7" valign="top">
          <b>26 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </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">

        </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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,074,720
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,290,424
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,959,274
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          8,879,889
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,723,218
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,080,057
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          7,236,850
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          6,384,583
        </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>Gross profit</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,351,502
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,210,367
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,722,424
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,495,306
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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 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>
        <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">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Selling, general and admin-istrative
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,091,664
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          926,016
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,136,465
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,884,911
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Integration and re-<br>structuring charges
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Amortization of intangibles
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          14,259
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,877
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          18,415
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          7,310
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total operating expenses</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,106,086
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          929,893
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,155,043
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,892,221
        </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">

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          245,416
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          280,474
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          567,381
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          603,085
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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>
        <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">

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Interest income
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,293
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          10,630
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          17,781
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          26,181
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Interest expense
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (21,190
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (11,065
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (28,446
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (22,200
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" 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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (604
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (892
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (389
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (1,489
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          229,915
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          279,147
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          556,327
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          605,577
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          77,700
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          100,493
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          191,944
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          218,008
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Income before minority interests</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          152,215
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          178,654
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          364,383
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          387,569
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,982
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (174
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,868
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (402
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Net income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          150,233
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          178,828
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          362,515
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          387,971
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="4">

        </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">

        </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">

        </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>
        <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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Basic earnings per common share
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.22
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.25
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.52
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.55
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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 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>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Diluted earnings per common share
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.21
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.25
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.51
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.53
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

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

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

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

        </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">

        </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>
        <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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Basic
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          695,870,460
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          708,145,408
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          694,636,258
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          709,822,203
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Diluted
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          711,403,428
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          726,071,464
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          709,670,297
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          727,494,199
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="10" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="10" valign="top">
          <b>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="10" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="10" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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 style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="7" valign="top">
          <b>26 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" 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" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          362,515
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          387,971
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" 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 style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          224,906
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          186,635
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,514
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Stock-based compensation
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          86,797
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          83,118
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Deferred tax benefit
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          14,419
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          21,839
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (2,421
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (15,973
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,593
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          373
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" 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 style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (58,603
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (45,731
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (147,943
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (259,261
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          20,324
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (56,166
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Increase in accounts payable
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          103,150
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          81,086
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (495,876
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (259,673
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Increase in other long-term obligations
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" 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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          72,545
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          82,006
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          187,920
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          206,224
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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="2" 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" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (168,663
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (205,574
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (4,381,780
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (178,295
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          27,019
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,415,874
        </td>
        <td>

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (3,123,358
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (4,523,427
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (91,353
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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="2" 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" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the sale of stock
            under employee stock purchase plans
          </p>
        </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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          70,683
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          109,030
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper, net of repayments
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,992,993
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          650,809
        </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 style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          17,224
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (52,328
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3,213
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Payments of debt issuance costs
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (15,850
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 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" valign="top">
          Cash dividends paid
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (231,465
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (207,552
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,421
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          15,973
        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (79,814
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (393,864
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash provided by (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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,337,449
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (462,402
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          11,054
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          21,776
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <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="2" 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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (987,004
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (325,755
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" 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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" 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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,017,671
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          <b>Cash and cash equivalents at end of period</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          258,444
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          691,916
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" valign="top">
          <b>Segment Reporting</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="17" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="7" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="7" valign="top">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="7" valign="top">
          <b>26 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#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>

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

        </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 colspan="3">

        </td>
        <td colspan="4">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td colspan="4">

        </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 style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,087,863
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,111,192
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,496,364
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,474,795
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,965,801
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,576,829
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,686,292
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,169,858
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 15.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Total sales</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,021,056
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          602,403
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,776,618
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,235,236
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          5,074,720
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          4,290,424
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          9,959,274
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          8,879,889
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#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>
        <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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          110,542
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          156,832
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          278,784
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          346,384
        </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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          173,555
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          168,099
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          336,817
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          319,929
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          14,917
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          4,401
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          38,740
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          19,890
        </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>Total business unit income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          299,014
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          329,332
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          654,341
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          686,203
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (53,435
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (48,858
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (86,797
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (83,118
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="2" valign="top">
          Integration and restructuring costs
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (163
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          -
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (163
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          245,416
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          280,474
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          567,381
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          603,085
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (15,501
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (1,327
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (11,054
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,492
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          <b>Income before income taxes and minority interest</b>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          229,915
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          279,147
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          556,327
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          605,577
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="21" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="21" valign="top">
          <b>Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Consolidated Statements of
          Income</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="21" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td colspan="21">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="15" valign="top">
          <b>Quarter Ended</b>
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td colspan="3">

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="15" valign="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="14" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            <b>2008</b>
          </p>
        </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">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>As Reported</b>
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Corporate Express</b>
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Other Adjustments (1)</b>
        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>As Adjusted</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>As Reported</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,074,720
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          672,518
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,402,202
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,290,424
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,723,218
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          538,857
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,184,361
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,080,057
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Gross profit
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,351,502
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          133,661
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,217,841
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,210,367
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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 expenses:
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Selling, general and administrative
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,091,664
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          109,794
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          981,870
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          926,016
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Integration and restructuring charges
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          14,259
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,769
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          8,648
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,842
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          3,877
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Total operating expenses
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,106,086
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          111,726
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          8,648
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          985,712
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          929,893
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          245,416
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          21,935
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (8,648
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          232,129
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          280,474
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Interest and other expense, net
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          15,501
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,101
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          13,306
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          94
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,327
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Income before income taxes
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          229,915
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          19,834
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (21,954
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          232,035
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          279,147
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Income tax expense
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          77,700
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          6,843
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (10,454
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          81,311
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          100,493
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Income before minority interest
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          152,215
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          12,991
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (11,500
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          150,724
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          178,654
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,982
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,129
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (147
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (174
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Net income
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          150,233
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          10,862
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          (11,500
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          150,871
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          178,828
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Effective tax rate
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          33.8
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          34.5
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          35.0
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          36.0
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Historical diluted earnings per share:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.21
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.02
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          (0.02
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.21
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.25
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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="21" valign="top">
          Number of shares used in computing historical
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          earnings per share:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          711,403,428
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          726,071,464
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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="21" valign="top">
          (1) Other adjustments consist of the following:
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="21" valign="top">
          - Amortization of $8.6 million for the identifiable intangible
          assets related to the acquisition of Corporate Express.
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="21" valign="top">
          - Interest related to the acquisition financing.
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" colspan="21" valign="top">
          - Adjustment to income taxes for the consolidated entity from the
          rate reported for the period to the rate reported for the first
          quarter of 2008.
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 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="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

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

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-size: 8pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="21" valign="top">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="21" valign="top">
          <b>Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Consolidated Statements of
          Income</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="21" valign="top">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

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

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

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="15" valign="top">
          <b>Six Months Ended</b>
        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="15" valign="top">
          <b>August 2,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>August 4,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="14" valign="bottom">
          <b>2008</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" 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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          <b>2007</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>As Reported</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Corporate Express</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>Other Adjustments (1)</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <b>As Adjusted</b>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px">
            <b>As Reported</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,959,274
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          672,518
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,286,756
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          8,879,889
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          7,236,850
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          538,857
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          6,697,993
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          6,384,583
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Gross profit
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,722,424
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          133,661
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,588,763
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,495,306
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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 expenses:
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Selling, general and administrative
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,136,465
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          109,794
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,026,671
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,884,911
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Integration and restructuring charges
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          18,415
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,769
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          8,648
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          7,998
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          7,310
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Total operating expenses
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,155,043
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          111,726
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          8,648
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,034,669
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,892,221
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          567,381
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          21,935
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (8,648
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          554,094
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          603,085
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Interest and other expense, net
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          11,054
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,101
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          13,306
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (4,353
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (2,492
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Income before income taxes
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          556,327
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          19,834
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (21,954
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          558,447
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          605,577
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Income tax expense
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          191,944
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          6,843
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (10,454
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          195,555
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          218,008
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Income before minority interest
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          364,383
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          12,991
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (11,500
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          362,892
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          387,569
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          1,868
        </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="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          2,129
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (261
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          (402
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Net income
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          362,515
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          10,862
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          (11,500
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          363,153
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          387,971
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Effective tax rate
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          34.5
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          34.5
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          35.0
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          36.0
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td colspan="3">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 5.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          Historical diluted earnings per share:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.51
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.02
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          (0.02
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.51
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          0.53
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">
          Number of shares used in computing historical
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 10.0px; text-align: left" valign="top">
          earnings per share:
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          709,670,297
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: right; white-space: nowrap; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt" valign="bottom">
          727,494,199
        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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">

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </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="21" valign="top">
          (1) Other adjustments consist of the following:
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" colspan="21" valign="top">
          - Amortization of $8.6 million for the identifiable intangible
          assets related to the acquisition of Corporate Express.
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" colspan="21" valign="top">
          - Interest related to the acquisition financing.
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 20.0px; text-align: left" colspan="21" valign="top">
          - Adjustment to income taxes for the consolidated entity from the
          rate reported for the period to the rate reported for the first
          quarter of 2008.
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <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>
    <p>

    </p>
  </body>
</html>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
