<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001157523-12-001112
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20120229
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20120229
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20120229
<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>12649938
</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>a50186106.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; height: 1.0 pt; text-align: center; width: 33%">


    <p style="text-align: center">
      <br>
      <font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">FORM 8-K</font><br><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">CURRENT
      REPORT</font><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">PURSUANT
      TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF</font><br><font style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman">THE
      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font><br><br><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">Date
      of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 29, 2012</font><br><br>
    </p>
<div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            STAPLES, INC.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
<div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 33%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Delaware
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 34%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            0-17586
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 33%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            04-2896127
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 33%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (State or other jurisdiction
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            of incorporation)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 34%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Commission
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            File Number)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 33%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (IRS Employer
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Identification No.)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
<div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 67%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Five Hundred Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 33%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            01702
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 67%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">(Address
            of principal executive offices)</font>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; width: 33%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">(Zip
          Code)</font>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Registrant&#8217;s
      telephone number, including area code: </font>508-253-5000<br><br>
    </p>
<div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <br>
      <br>

    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">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-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">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-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))</font>
    </p>
    <p>

    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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="white-space: nowrap">
      <b>Item 2.02&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Results of Operations and Financial Condition</b>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">
      On February 29, 2012, Staples, Inc. announced its financial results for
      the quarter and fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.&#160;&#160;The full text of
      the press release issued in connection with the announcement is attached
      as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">
      The information in this Form 8-K and the exhibit attached hereto shall
      not be deemed &quot;filed&quot; for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 (the &quot;Exchange Act&quot;) or otherwise subject to the
      liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by
      reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange
      Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a
      filing.
    </p>
    <p style="white-space: nowrap">
      <b>Item 9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits</b>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman">
      The exhibit listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such
      exhibit is furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 60.0px">

    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">SIGNATURE</font><br>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">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:center">
    <table style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 6%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Date:
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 44%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            February 29, 2012
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Staples, Inc.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 6%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 44%">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 6%; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 44%; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 5%; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          By:
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 45%; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            /s/ Cynthia Pevehouse
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 6%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 44%">

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 45%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Cynthia Pevehouse
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 6%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 44%">

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 45%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Senior Vice President,
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 6%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 44%">

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 60%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="middle">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 40%; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">
          99.1
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; width: 60%; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Press release dated February 29, 2012.
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p>

    </p>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a50186106_ex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
<html>
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    <title></title>
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    <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 Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Performance</b></font>
    </p>
    <p>
      FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 29, 2012--Staples, Inc.
      (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today the results for its fourth quarter and
      fiscal year ended January 28, 2012. Total company sales for the fourth
      quarter of 2011 increased one percent to $6.5 billion compared to the
      fourth quarter of 2010. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011
      increased three percent year over year to $284 million. Diluted earnings
      per share, on a GAAP basis, increased eight percent to $0.41 from $0.38
      achieved in the fourth quarter of 2010, and increased five percent
      compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.39 achieved in the
      fourth quarter of 2010.
    </p>
    <p>
      On a GAAP basis, fourth quarter 2011 operating income rate improved 58
      basis points to 7.26 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2010.
      Excluding the impact of integration and restructuring expense in the
      prior year period, fourth quarter 2011 operating income rate improved 48
      basis points. This increase primarily reflects reduced incentive
      compensation and lower depreciation expense.
    </p>
    <p>
      &#8220;During 2011 Staples celebrated its 25th anniversary with $25 billion in
      total company sales,&#8221; said Ron Sargent, Staples&#8217; chairman and chief
      executive officer. &#8220;We drove strong earnings growth, generated more than
      $1 billion of free cash flow for the fourth consecutive year, and have
      solid plans in place to build on our momentum in 2012.&#8221;
    </p>
    <p>
      For the full year 2011, total company sales increased two percent to
      $25.0 billion compared to the full year 2010. Net income increased 12
      percent year over year to $985 million, and diluted earnings per share,
      on a GAAP basis, increased 16 percent to $1.40 from the $1.21 achieved
      last year.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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>
      Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.37 for the full year 2011
      increased eight percent compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share
      of $1.27 achieved in 2010. These adjusted results exclude a $21 million
      cash tax refund, or $0.03 per diluted share, during the second quarter
      of 2011 and pre-tax integration and restructuring expense of $58
      million, or $0.06 per diluted share net of tax, during the full year
      2010.
    </p>
    <p>
      The company generated operating cash flow of $1.6 billion and invested
      $384 million in capital expenditures in 2011, resulting in free cash
      flow of $1.2 billion for the full year. The company utilized free cash
      flow to repurchase 37 million shares for $605 million and returned $278
      million to shareholders through cash dividends in 2011. At the end of
      the year, the company had $2.5 billion in liquidity, including $1.3
      billion in cash and cash equivalents.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>North American Delivery</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      North American Delivery sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $2.5
      billion, an increase of two percent compared to the prior year period.
      This primarily reflects double-digit sales growth in facilities and
      breakroom supplies and strong growth in technology products. Operating
      income rate increased 84 basis points to 9.15 percent compared to the
      fourth quarter of 2010. This increase primarily reflects reduced
      incentive compensation and improved distribution efficiencies, partially
      offset by a modest decline in product margins.
    </p>
    <p>
      For the full year 2011, North American Delivery achieved sales of $10.1
      billion, an increase of two percent compared to 2010. Full year
      operating income rate improved 19 basis points to 8.73 percent compared
      to the prior year.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>North American Retail</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      North American Retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $2.6
      billion, an increase of three percent compared to the fourth quarter of
      2010. Fourth quarter 2011 comparable store sales increased two percent
      versus the fourth quarter of 2010, reflecting higher average order size
      and a slight increase in customer traffic. Operating income rate
      increased 99 basis points to 9.12 percent compared to the fourth quarter
      of 2010. This primarily reflects reduced incentive compensation and
      leverage of fixed expenses on higher sales, partially offset by ongoing
      investments to drive growth in adjacent categories. During the fourth
      quarter, the company opened 12 stores and closed four stores in the U.S.
      and opened two stores and closed one store in Canada.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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>
      For the full year 2011, North American Retail achieved sales of $9.7
      billion, an increase of one percent, and comparable store sales were
      flat versus 2010. Full year operating income rate improved 25 basis
      points to 8.33 percent compared to the prior year. In 2011, the company
      opened 20 stores and closed 12 stores in the U.S. and opened 11 stores
      and closed two stores in Canada, ending the year with 1,917 stores in
      North America.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>International Operations</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Sales in International Operations for the fourth quarter were $1.3
      billion, a decrease of five percent in U.S. dollars and a decrease of
      four percent on a local currency basis compared to the fourth quarter of
      2010. Top line growth in European Contract was more than offset by a
      nine percent decrease in comparable store sales in Europe and weak sales
      in Australia. Operating income rate decreased 173 basis points to 2.48
      percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. This decrease primarily
      reflects deleverage of distribution and delivery expense, as well as
      deleverage of rent expense on lower sales in European Retail, partially
      offset by lower marketing expense.
    </p>
    <p>
      For the full year 2011, International Operations achieved sales of $5.3
      billion, an increase of three percent in U.S. dollars and a decrease of
      four percent on a local currency basis compared to 2010. Full year
      operating income rate decreased 138 basis points to 1.85 percent
      compared to the prior year. In 2011, the company opened six stores and
      closed nine stores in International Operations, ending the year with 378
      stores.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Outlook</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      The company&#8217;s 2012 outlook assumes slow growth in the U.S. economy and a
      soft demand environment in Europe. Including the impact of the 53rd week
      in fiscal 2012, the company expects full year sales to increase in the
      low single-digits compared to the prior year, and full year diluted
      earnings per share to increase in the high single-digits versus adjusted
      diluted earnings per share of $1.37 achieved in 2011. The company
      anticipates its effective tax rate for the full year will be 32.5
      percent, and expects to generate more than $1 billion of free cash flow
      in 2012.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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>Presentation of Non-GAAP Information</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      This press release presents certain results both with and without the
      integration and restructuring expense associated with Corporate Express
      in 2010, certain results for 2010 and 2011 both with and without the
      impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and certain
      results with and without the impact of the tax refund in 2011. The
      presentation of results that excludes these items, as well as the
      presentation of free cash flow, 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. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP
      financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial
      measures are provided below. Management believes that the non-GAAP
      financial measures presented provide a meaningful comparison to prior
      periods because the adjustments do not affect the on-going operations of
      the combined businesses. Management uses these non-GAAP financial
      measures to evaluate the operating results of the company&#8217;s business
      against prior year results and its operating plan, and to forecast and
      analyze future periods. Management recognizes there are limitations
      associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as they may
      reduce comparability with other companies that use different methods to
      calculate similar non-GAAP measures. Management generally compensates
      for the limitations resulting from the exclusion of these items by
      considering the impact of these items separately in GAAP as well as
      non-GAAP results. In addition, management presents the most comparable
      GAAP measures ahead of non-GAAP measures and provides a reconciliation
      that indicates and describes the adjustments made.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Today's Conference Call</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      The company will host a conference call today at 9:00 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 is the world&#8217;s largest office products company and a trusted
      source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and
      expertise in office supplies, copy &amp; print, technology, facilities and
      breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept
      in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the
      world in eCommerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples
      operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe,
      Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes and
      consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information
      about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at <u>www.staples.com/media</u>.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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>
      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 &#8220;Outlook&#8221; and other
      statements regarding our future business and financial performance. Any
      statements contained in this news release that are not statements of
      historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. You can
      identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words
      &#8220;believes&#8221;, &#8220;expects&#8221;, &#8220;anticipates&#8221;, &#8220;plans&#8221;, &#8220;may&#8221;, &#8220;will&#8221;, &#8220;would&#8221;,
      &#8220;intends&#8221;, &#8220;estimates&#8221;, and other similar expressions, whether in the
      negative or affirmative. Forward-looking statements are based on a
      series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections which
      involve substantial uncertainty and risk, including the review of our
      assessments by our outside auditor and changes in management&#8217;s
      assumptions and projections. 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: global economic
      conditions could adversely affect our business and financial
      performance; our market is highly competitive and we may not be able to
      continue to compete successfully; if the products and services that we
      offer fail to meet our customer needs, our performance could be
      adversely affected; we may be unable to continue to enter new markets
      successfully; our expanding international operations expose us to risks
      inherent in foreign operations; failure to manage growth and continue to
      expand our operations successfully could adversely affect our financial
      results; our effective tax rate may fluctuate; fluctuations in foreign
      exchange rates could lead to lower earnings; we may be unable to
      attract, train, engage and retain qualified associates; our quarterly
      operating results are subject to significant fluctuation; if we are
      unable to manage our debt, it could materially harm our business and
      financial condition and restrict our operating flexibility; we could
      incur significant goodwill impairment charges; our expanded offering of
      proprietary branded products may not improve our financial performance
      and may expose us to intellectual property and product liability claims;
      problems in our information systems and technologies may disrupt our
      operations; compromises of our information systems or unauthorized
      access to confidential information or our customers&#8217; or associates&#8217;
      personal information may materially harm our business or damage our
      reputation; our business may be adversely affected by the actions of and
      risks associated with third-party vendors and service providers; various
      legal proceedings may adversely affect our business and financial
      performance; failure to comply with laws, rules and regulations could
      negatively affect our business operations and financial performance; and
      those factors discussed or referenced in our most recent annual report
      on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, under the heading &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; and
      elsewhere, and any subsequent periodic or current reports filed by us
      with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our
      estimates only as of the date such statements are made (unless another
      date is indicated) and should not be relied upon as representing our
      estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update
      forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically
      disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.
    </p>
    <p>
      Financial information follows.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td colspan="9">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>ASSETS</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,264,149
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,461,257
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Receivables, net
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,033,680
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,970,483
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Merchandise inventories, net
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,431,845
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,359,173
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Deferred income tax assets
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          305,611
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          295,232
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          255,535
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          382,022
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total current assets</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,290,820
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,468,167
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,034,983
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,064,981
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,330,373
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,328,397
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,462,351
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,287,505
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Furniture and fixtures
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,084,358
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,032,502
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total property and equipment</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,912,065
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,713,385
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,831,704
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,565,614
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net property and equipment</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,080,361
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,147,771
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          449,781
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          522,722
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3,982,130
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,073,162
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          627,530
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          699,845
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total assets</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          13,430,622
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          13,911,667
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,220,414
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,208,386
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,414,721
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,497,851
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          439,143
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          587,356
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total current liabilities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,074,278
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,293,593
        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,599,037
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,014,407
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          735,094
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          652,486
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Stockholders' Equity:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Common stock, $.0006 par value, 2,100,000,000 shares authorized;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          issued 922,126,579 shares at January 28, 2012 and 908,449,980 shares
          at January 29, 2011
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          553
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,551,299
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,334,735
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (319,743
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (96,933
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Retained earnings
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,199,060
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,492,340
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Less: Treasury stock at cost, 226,383,032 shares at January 28, 2012
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          and 187,536,869 shares at January 29, 2011
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (4,416,018
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3,786,977
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total Staples, Inc. stockholders' equity</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,015,151
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,943,710
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Noncontrolling interests
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,062
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,471
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 30.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total stockholders' equity</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,022,213
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,951,181
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 30.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total liabilities and stockholders' equity</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          13,430,622
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          13,911,667
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td colspan="17">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="7">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2011</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,459,715
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,415,402
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          25,022,192
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          24,545,113
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,727,441
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,694,758
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          18,280,364
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          17,938,958
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Gross profit</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,732,274
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,720,644
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,741,828
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,606,155
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,248,035
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,270,019
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,048,492
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,913,188
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Amortization of intangibles
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          15,459
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          15,776
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          64,902
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          61,689
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Integration and restructuring costs
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" 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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,220
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" 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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          57,765
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total operating and other expenses</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,263,494
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,292,015
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,113,394
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,032,642
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          468,780
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          428,629
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,628,434
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,573,513
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,789
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,015
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,577
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          7,722
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (42,110
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (53,406
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (173,751
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (214,824
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Other 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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,118
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (2,757
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3,119
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (9,816
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Consolidated income before income taxes</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          429,577
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          374,481
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,459,141
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,356,595
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          146,056
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          99,733
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          475,308
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          468,026
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Consolidated net income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          283,521
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          274,748
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          983,833
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          888,569
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          (Loss) income attributed to noncontrolling interests
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (72
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (823
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,621
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net income attributed to Staples, Inc.</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          283,593
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          274,742
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          984,656
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          881,948
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 25.0px" valign="top">
          Basic earnings per common share
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.41
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.39
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.42
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.23
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 25.0px" valign="top">
          Diluted earnings per common share
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.41
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.38
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.40
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.21
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.10
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.09
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.40
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.36
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 25.0px" valign="top">
          Basic
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          683,504,797
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          709,923,535
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          694,986,213
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          715,596,180
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 25.0px" valign="top">
          Diluted
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          691,992,682
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          721,164,216
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          704,019,084
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          726,220,324
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td colspan="9">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="7">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Operating Activities:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Consolidated net income, including (loss) income from the
          noncontrolling interests
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          983,833
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          888,569
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
          operating activities:
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          482,056
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          498,863
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Stock-based compensation
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          151,822
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          146,879
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (1,805
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Deferred income tax expense
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,706
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          172,630
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,452
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,418
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 10.0px" valign="top">
          Changes in assets and liabilities:
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          Increase in receivables
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (73,670
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (95,656
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          Increase in merchandise inventories
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (82,343
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (46,450
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          123,660
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (70,600
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          Increase in accounts payable
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          23,677
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          63,305
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (117,389
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (191,917
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          Increase in other long-term obligations
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          75,476
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          75,450
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash provided by operating activities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,576,475
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,446,491
        </td>
        <td>

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

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Acquisition of property and equipment
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (383,654
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (408,889
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" 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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (63,066
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash used in investing activities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (383,654
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (471,955
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the sale of stock
          under employee stock
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          purchase plans
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          73,866
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          85,429
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Proceeds from borrowings
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          301,843
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          201,566
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Payments on borrowings, including payment of deferred financing fees
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (820,631
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (207,478
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Purchase of noncontrolling interest
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (10,000
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (360,595
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Cash dividends paid
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (277,936
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (258,746
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,805
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 5.0px" valign="top">
          Purchase of treasury stock, net
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (629,041
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (398,582
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net cash used in financing activities</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (1,360,094
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (938,406
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (29,835
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,308
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (197,108
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          45,438
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,461,257
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,415,819
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Cash and cash equivalents at end of period</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,264,149
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,461,257
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>Segment Reporting</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="17">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="7">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28,</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29,</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2011</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <b>2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Sales:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,528,419
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,490,043
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          10,056,011
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,849,218
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,631,007
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2,562,651
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,660,847
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          9,529,757
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,300,289
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,362,708
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,305,334
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,166,138
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total segment sales</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,459,715
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,415,402
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          25,022,192
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          24,545,113
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          231,255
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          206,879
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          877,867
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          841,429
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          239,971
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          208,239
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          804,396
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          770,122
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          32,304
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          57,401
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          97,993
        </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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          166,606
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Business unit income</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          503,530
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          472,519
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,780,256
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,778,157
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (34,750
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (37,670
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (151,822
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (146,879
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Interest and other expense, net
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (39,203
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (54,148
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (169,293
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (216,918
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Integration and restructuring costs
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" 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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (6,220
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" 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="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (57,765
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 15.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Consolidated income before income taxes</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          429,577
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          374,481
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,459,141
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,356,595
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td colspan="18">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="18">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="18">
          <b>Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Income Statement Disclosures</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="18">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="18">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>13 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>January 28, 2012</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Operating</b><br><b>expenses</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <b>Operating income</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Consolidated</b><br><b>income before</b><br><b>income taxes</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Income tax</b><br><b>expense</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Net income</b><br><b>attributed to</b><br><b>Staples, Inc.</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          GAAP, as reported and adjusted
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,263,494
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          468,780
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          429,577
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          146,056
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          283,593
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>13 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>January 29, 2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="4">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Operating </b><br><b>expenses</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <b>Operating income</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Consolidated</b><br><b>income before</b><br><b>income taxes</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Income tax</b><br><b>expense</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Net income</b><br><b>attributed to</b><br><b>Staples, Inc.</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          GAAP, as reported
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,292,015
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          428,629
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          374,481
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          99,733
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          274,742
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (6,220
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,220
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          6,220
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,656
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,564
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Non-GAAP, as adjusted
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,285,795
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          434,849
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          380,701
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          101,389
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          279,306
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>January 28, 2012</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Operating</b><br><b>expenses</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <b>Operating income</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Consolidated</b><br><b>income before</b><br><b>income taxes</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Income tax</b><br><b>expense</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Net income</b><br><b>attributed to</b><br><b>Staples, Inc.</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          GAAP, as reported
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,113,394
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,628,434
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,459,141
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          475,308
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          984,656
        </td>
        <td>

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

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

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          20,800
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (20,800
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Non-GAAP, as adjusted
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,113,394
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,628,434
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,459,141
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          496,108
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          963,856
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="16">
          <b>January 29, 2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Operating</b><br><b>expenses</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <b>Operating income</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Consolidated</b><br><b>income before</b><br><b>income taxes</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Income tax</b><br><b>expense</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Net income</b><br><b>attributed to</b><br><b>Staples, Inc.</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          GAAP, as reported
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          5,032,642
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,573,513
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,356,595
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          468,026
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          881,948
        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (57,765
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          57,765
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          57,765
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          20,985
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          36,780
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Non-GAAP, as adjusted
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          4,974,877
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,631,278
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,414,360
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          489,011
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          918,728
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Sales Growth</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="7">
          <b>13 Weeks Ended January 28, 2012</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Sales Growth</b><br><b>GAAP</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Impact of Local</b><br><b>Currency</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Sales Growth on a </b><br><b>Local Currency </b><br><b>Basis</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Sales:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.5
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.2 %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.7
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          North American Retail
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2.7
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.3 %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          3.0
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          International Operations
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (4.6
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )%
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.3 %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (4.3
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )%
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total sales</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.7
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.3 %
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.0
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="7">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended January 28, 2012</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Sales Growth</b><br><b>GAAP</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Impact of Local</b><br><b>Currency</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="bottom" colspan="2">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Sales Growth on a </b><br><b>Local Currency </b><br><b>Basis</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Sales:</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2.1
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (0.3 )%
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.8
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          North American Retail
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.4
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (0.8 )%
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.6
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          International Operations
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          2.7
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (6.2 )%
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (3.5
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )%
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Total sales</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1.9
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (1.7 )%
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          0.2
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          %
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p>
      This presentation refers to growth rates in local currency so that
      business results can be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in
      foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period
      comparisons of Staples' business performance. To present this
      information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies
      other than U.S. dollars are converted into U.S. dollars at the prior
      year average monthly exchange rates.
    </p>
    <div style="width: 100%; text-indent: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-bottom: 10pt">
      <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-size: 8pt; font-family: Times New Roman; margin-bottom: 10.0px" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td colspan="9">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>Reconciliation of Operating Cash Flow to Free Cash Flow</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: center; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="9">
          <b>(Unaudited)</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

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

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="7">
          <b>52 Weeks Ended</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 28, 2012</b>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: center; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top" colspan="3">
          <b>January 29, 2011</b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Net cash provided by operating activities
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,576,475
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,446,491
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          Acquisition of property and equipment
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (383,654
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          (408,889
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          )
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 20.0px" valign="top">
          <b>Free cash flow</b>
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-bottom: 4.0px; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,192,821
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          $
        </td>
        <td style="text-align: right; border-bottom: double black 2.25pt; padding-right: 0.0px; padding-left: 0.0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="bottom">
          1,037,602
        </td>
        <td style="border-bottom: double black 2.25pt">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="text-align: left; padding-left: 0.0px" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
        <td>

        </td>
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    <p>
      Free cash flow is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not
      be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in
      accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled
      measures used by other companies. The Company defines free cash flow as
      net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. It
      should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is
      available for discretionary expenditures. The Company believes free cash
      flow is a useful measure of performance and uses this measure as an
      indication of the Company's ability to generate cash and invest in its
      business.
    </p>
    <p>
      CONTACT:<br>Staples, Inc.<br><b>Media Contact:</b><br>Kirk Saville,
      508-253-8530<br>or<br>Owen Davis, 508-253-8468<br>or<br><b>Investor
      Contact:</b><br>Chris Powers, 508-253-4632<br>or<br>Kevin Barry,
      508-253-1487
    </p>
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