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Staples Releases its 2007 Corporate Responsibility Report and Highlights Commitment to Community, Diversity, Ethics and the Environment

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Sep 19, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Staples, Inc., (Nasdaq: SPLS) the world's largest office products company, today released its 2007 Staples Soul Report, which provides an overview of the company's corporate responsibility work and its global impact in the areas of community involvement, diversity, ethics and the environment. The report, which is available at www.staples.com/soul, reviews Staples' accomplishments, profiles associate initiatives and outlines goals the company is working towards in 2008. Highlights of the corporate responsibility accomplishments achieved in 2007 include: Ethics -- Expanded the global reach of ethics program with training in multiple languages and countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada and China -- Conducted more than 375 comprehensive social accountability audits at more than 300 active international factories making Staples(R) brand products -- Upgraded the ethics issue management system to provide better oversight of the types of ethics concerns that are raised and how they are handled across the company Environment -- Expanded offering of eco-friendly products in North America to more than 3,000 -- Launched the first-ever national retail electronics recycling program -- Saved more than 540,000 gallons of diesel, roughly $1.5 million, due to modifications to truck fleet that limit top speeds Community -- Grew worldwide community giving to more than $16.5 million, a 27 percent increase over 2006 -- Helped global non-profit organization, Ashoka, launch 1,700 youth-led social ventures impacting more than 35,000 people around the world -- Invested $550,000 to create new public awareness program with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino encouraging the development of early childhood literacy Diversity -- Launched an Associate Diversity Plan of Action within sales organization and developed six regional diversity task forces -- Increased spending with diversity suppliers for a total increase of 67 percent since 2005 -- Increased the number of U.S. minority associates by seven percent and women associates by two percent since 2002 About Staples Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With $27 billion in sales, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world's leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com. SOURCE: Staples, Inc. Staples, Inc. Joy Errico, 508-253-7957 joy.errico@staples.com or Eva Pereira, 781-559-0424 Eva.Pereira@rfbinder.com