Staples, Inc. Names Mark Mettler Senior Vice President, Merchandising

Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) today announced the appointment of Mark Mettler to senior vice president, general merchandising manager, consumer technology and seasonal supplies. Mettler reports to Jevin Eagle, Staples’ executive vice president of merchandising. "Mark brings 25 years of retail experience and a wealth of merchandising knowledge to Staples,” said Eagle. "In this new role on our merchandising team, he will drive innovative and differentiated product assortments in our growing consumer technology and seasonal office supply categories.” Mettler previously served as vice president, general merchandise manager at Sears Roebuck and Company. He joined Sears in 1993 and assumed increasing levels of responsibility for merchandising across product categories. Prior, Mettler was divisional sales manager at Filene’s, a division of May Department Stores, with responsibility for a wide range of soft and hard line merchandise categories. He began his career in 1983 as a buyer at Jordan Marsh, a division of Federated Department Stores. 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.