v2.3.0.11

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

6 Months Ended

Jul. 30, 2011

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share Disclosure [Abstract]

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter and first half of 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

	13 Weeks Ended								26 Weeks Ended
	July 30, 2011				July 31, 2010				July 30, 2011				July 31, 2010
Numerator:
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc.	$	176,438			$	129,756			$	374,683			$	318,526
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	698,917				719,486				702,618				719,140
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options, Restricted Shares and Performance Shares	9,754				10,249				10,419				11,802
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	708,671				729,735				713,037				730,942
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.25			$	0.18			$	0.53			$	0.44
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.25			$	0.18			$	0.53			$	0.44

Options to purchase shares of common stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation.  Options to purchase 36.0 million and 21.3 million shares of Staples common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share at July 30, 2011 and July 31, 2010, respectively.

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The entire disclosure for earnings per share.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920599&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945512&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920599&loc=d3e1278-109256

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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