Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter and year-to-date 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



	13 Weeks Ended				39 Weeks Ended
	October 29, 2011		October 30, 2010		October 29, 2011		October 30, 2010
Numerator:
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc.	$	326,380	$	288,680	$	701,063	$	607,206
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	691,205		714,180		698,813		717,487
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options, Restricted Shares and Performance Shares	6,804		7,653		9,215		10,419
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	698,009		721,833		708,028		727,906

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.47	$	0.40	$	1.00	$	0.85
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.47	$	0.40	$	0.99	$	0.83

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 42.0 million and 27.4 million shares of Staples common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share at October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively.