Denver Host Committee for Democratic National Convention Names Staples As Official Office Products Provider

Denver, CO January 9, 2008 -- Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), the world's largest office products company, has been named the official office products provider for the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. Staples, which has a growing presence throughout the Denver area, will work closely with the Denver Host Committee to help ensure that the 2008 Democratic National Convention is the greenest political event ever staged.

"We are very proud as a Host Committee to have an organization like Staples as a Gold-Level sponsor," said Elbra Wedgeworth, President/Chair of the Denver Host Committee. "With Staples' growing presence in the Rocky Mountain region and its commitment to environmentally preferable products, this sponsorship continues to demonstrate how important the Democratic National Convention is for Denver."

Staples will provide the Host Committee with office supplies, furniture, equipment and other goods and services needed for the upcoming 2008 national convention.

"Supporting the Denver Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention helps Staples showcase the great city of Denver while providing convention attendees and partners with our wide range of environmentally-friendly products and services," said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs, Staples. "This sponsorship is one way we are making it easy for our customers to make a difference for the environment - what we call EcoEasy. We are thrilled to collaborate with the committee to make the 2008 convention the greenest to date."

As part of its support of the convention, Staples will provide the host committee and convention attendees "green" office products and environmentally-friendly copy and print services.

Staples has opened 12 stores along the Front Range since late 2006 as part of a strategic market expansion, and the company plans to open more stores in the future. Its sponsorship of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee signals its ongoing support of the city of Denver and Colorado. Staples' long-standing commitment to sustainable business practices is based on four key environmental cornerstones: recycling, offering a wide assortment of more than 2,900 eco-friendly products, investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy and educating customers and associates about sustainability. For more on Staples environmental initiatives, visit www.staples.com/environment.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will take place August 25-28 at Denver's Pepsi Center, and is expected to bring 35,000 visitors to the Mile High City, including 15,000 members of the national and international media. In addition to showcasing Denver and the Rocky Mountain West to audiences around the globe, estimates indicate Denver will realize $160 million to $200 million in economic benefits.

About Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee

The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee has four contractual partners in its work. Those partners are the Democratic National Convention Committee, the City and County of Denver, Kroenke Sports and its own Executive Committee.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 74,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2006 sales of $18.2 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than 2,000 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.

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