Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today a proposed public offering of Senior Notes. The public offering will be made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The proceeds from the proposed public offering will be used to fund the purchase, pursuant to its separately announced tender offer, of up to $750 million in aggregate principal amount of the company's outstanding 9.750% Senior Notes due 2014, if consummated, as well as for general corporate purposes.

Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, Staples' Senior Notes or any other securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities mentioned in this press release in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

The offering of Senior Notes may be made only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement. A copy of the prospectus and prospectus supplement relating to the Senior Notes can be obtained from Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, via telephone at 1-888-603-5847 or by emailing Barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com; Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., attention: Prospectus Group, 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005-2836, via telephone at 1-800-503-4611 or by emailing prospectus.cpdg@db.com; or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, or via telephone at 1-212-834-4533.

About Staples

Staples is the world's largest office products company and second largest internet retailer. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the statements regarding the proposed offering and expected use of proceeds. These statements relate to future events and can generally be identified by words such as "expects" and "intends". Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. The success of the offering is subject to a number of conditions, not all of which are within Staples' control. There is no assurance that Staples will successfully complete the proposed offering or apply the proceeds of the offering as presently intended. 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 changes in market conditions and interest rates, as well as the factors discussed or referenced in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere, any subsequent periodic or current reports filed by us with the SEC and the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering that we have filed with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements are made. While Staples may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the company specifically disclaim any obligation to do so.

Staples, Inc.
Media Contact:
Kirk Saville, 508-253-8530
or
Investor Contact:
Chris Powers/Kevin Barry
508-253-4632/1487