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Boca Raton, Fla., February 6, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, today announced that it has been named a finalist in the sixth annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The international competition recognizes excellence in disciplines that are crucial to business success, and honors the accomplishments of sales, customer service, and call/contact center professionals worldwide.

Office Depot is a finalist in the following five categories: 

• Sales Support Team of the Year: An innovative Sales Support Team helps Office Depot’s sales force improve productivity.
• Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year — All Other Industries: Office Depot deploys proactive web chat and email support.
• Contact Center of the Year (Over 100 Seats): Office Depot’s Work at Home Call Center.
• Best Use of Technology in Customer Service — All Other Industries: Office Depot utilizes technology to deliver breakthrough performance.
• Customer Service Complaints Team of the Year: Office Depot’s Customer Relations Team skillfully handles the Company’s most difficult service challenges.

“Being named a finalist in five categories is a testament to Office Depot’s commitment to customer focus, which is one of our core values,” said Tim McGrath, Vice President of Customer Service for Office Depot. “We help our customers succeed in business by listening to their needs and delivering on our promises.”

More than 1,000 entries from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted to this year’s competition, which has 27 categories for customer service.  More than 100 members of seven specialized judging committees will determine Stevie® Award placements from among the finalists. Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during preliminary judging. The sixth annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service will be presented at a gala banquet event in Las Vegas in late-February.

Office Depot won a Stevie® Award in 2009 for “Customer Service Team of the Year – Recovery,” which recognized excellence in the handling and resolving of customer issues, and in 2004 for “Capturing the Customer Experience,” which recognized the process of utilizing the Voice of the Customer for process improvement.

Highlights from the 2011 Corporate Citizenship Report include:

• Diversity: Office Depot published its second annual Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Catalog, the first and only catalog of its kind in the office products industry. The catalog features more than 1,300 products offered by 30 vendors defined as certified minority-, women-, disabled-, and veteran-owned businesses.
• Environment: Office Depot’s leadership was recognized in a very public way in 2010 when Newsweek magazine ranked Office Depot the #1 Greenest Large Retailer in the U.S., and the #18 Greenest Large Company Overall. The Company was especially recognized for its focus on transparent environmental disclosure.
• Ethics: In 2010, Office Depot conducted compliance training in over 24 countries in 12 different languages. Office Depot also placed a high priority on providing instructor-level training to markets where there may be a higher level of operating risk. Through annual training of over 12,000 targeted associates on Office Depot’s Code of Ethics and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Office Depot remains committed to making ethics and compliance a top priority.
• Philanthropy: In 2010, the Office Depot Foundation marked the 10th anniversary of its award-winning National Backpack Program by donating approximately 300,000 backpacks for use by children in communities across the United States. Over the history of this program, more than 2.3 million backpacks containing essential school supplies have been donated worldwide.

Environmental data included in the 2011 Corporate Citizenship Report was reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, ensuring accuracy and transparency. Additionally, for the fifth consecutive year, the report references guidelines established by the Global Reporting Initiative, an organization which develops and disseminates globally applicable “Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.”

Yalmaz Siddiqui, Senior Director of Environmental Strategy for Office Depot, Shares Expertise on “Global Environmental & Sustainability Trends”

Boca Raton, Fla., January 25, 2012 — Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, participated in the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 101st Annual Retail’s BIG Show, which took place January 15 – 18, 2012, in New York City. Yalmaz Siddiqui, Senior Director of Environmental Strategy for Office Depot, served as the retail industry expert at the Sustainable Retailing Consortium (SRC) Forum on Global Environmental & Sustainability Trends. The panel also featured representatives from the Clinton Global Initiative, 3M, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and ESE Solutions.

“It was an honor to speak on the sustainability panel at NRF’s BIG Show, and to meet former President Bill Clinton, the show’s Keynote speaker,” Siddiqui said. “As retailers, we play a critical role of bridging the marketplace and the manufacturers, and as such, we can influence both sides to further the goals of sustainability.”

During his presentation, Siddiqui touched on the growing expectations of transparency, the need to understand and manage lifecycle environmental footprints, and the importance of integrating green thinking into core retail functions. Examples from Office Depot’s experience included Office Depot’s annual environmental dashboard and the Company’s GreenerOffice rating system, which was designed to help customers quickly find products with the level of environmental attributes and/or third party eco-labels that they seek.

Throughout the interactive discussion, Siddiqui and the other panelists shared their insights on waste management, energy management, climate change legislation, extended producer responsibility, global supply chain management, and other major environmental issues facing retailers. The panelists also provided information on how retailers can stay ahead of the changing regulatory climate by partnering with their suppliers, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations at all levels.

For more information about Office Depot’s environmental initiatives, visit: www.officedepot.cc/environment/

Office Depot Ranked #4 on the DiversityBusiness.com Annual List; Up Two Spots from 2011

Boca Raton, Fla., January 24, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, today announced that it has been recognized by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation’s leading multicultural business-to-business website, as one of the “Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities” for the 12^th year in a row. Office Depot was ranked 4^th on the list, a move up of two spots from last year.

The annual list, dubbed the Div50, recognizes companies for the volume, consistency, and quality of business opportunities granted to women and minority-owned companies. The Div50 has become a highly-valued metric of corporate excellence in the diversity space.

“We are proud to be named one of the top organizations for multicultural business opportunities for the 12^th consecutive year,” said Steve Calkins, Senior Vice President of Office Depot’s Business Solutions Division. “Office Depot is committed to supplier diversity, and our ranking on the BusinessDiversity.com Div50 list further shows our dedication to supporting women and minority-owned businesses.”

Office Depot’s comprehensive Supply Chain Diversity program gives Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) ample opportunities to grow and prosper. The Company actively seeks out promising HUBs that are certified minority-, women-, disabled-, and veteran-owned to ensure equal opportunity in the supplier selection process. Office Depot also produces an annual HUB catalog that features an assortment of more than 1,600 items from select HUB suppliers.

In addition, the Company has affiliations with national organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and other organizations that share Office Depot’s goal of making a positive impact on economic development through supplier diversity.

For more information on Office Depot’s diversity initiatives, please visit www.officedepot.com/diversity.

Exclusive Line of Jean Chatzky Products Features Simple-to-Use Financial Solutions with Contemporary Designs

Boca Raton, Fla., January 23, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), a leading global provider of office supplies and services, today announced that Jean Chatzky’s line of financial organization products, developed by MeadWestvaco Consumer & Office Products, exclusively are available at Office Depot retail locations nationwide.

Renowned financial expert Jean Chatzky’s collection features essential solutions to help customers organize and manage their day-to-day finances.  Products include budgeting tools, organizers and calendars for the home office, along with shopping organizers and cash trackers for individuals on-the-go. There is also a kid’s money manager and chores calendar to help children learn good money habits.  All items feature simple financial tips from Chatzky.

“You don’t need complicated solutions for everyday financial challenges,” said Chatzky. “My new collection at Office Depot is all about inspiring customers and their kids to manage money in new and creative ways. These products encourage them to be innovative by customizing an organization system that suits their needs.”  

With Jean Chatzky’s financial organizational products available at Office Depot starting at just $4.99, customers will enjoy a wide selection of items that won’t break the bank.

“Jean Chatzky’s new financial organization products build upon her financial philosophy to help our customers track their spending, reduce clutter, and feel empowered to be in control of their finances,” said Farla Efros, Executive Vice President, Merchandising for Office Depot. “Office Depot embraces Jean’s viewpoint and we are excited to bring her products to our customers to help them save time and money throughout the year.”

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or www.officedepot.com. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

Boca Raton, Fla., January 19, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, is helping small businesses start the year off right by enabling them to save time and do more business for less. 

Demonstrating an understanding of the pressures small business owners face in running and growing their businesses profitably, Office Depot has a host of different solutions that help small businesses succeed.

“Starting the year on the right foot is crucial for businesses of any size, and we have all the resources our customers need to succeed in the new year,” said Farla Efros, Executive Vice President, Merchandising for Office Depot. “From storage solutions to technology products to copy, printing and technology support services, Office Depot helps customers save time and do more business for less.”

A range of category solutions available at Office Depot that combine productivity and value include:

• Storage, Organization and Supplies – The beginning of the new year is a great time to organize and update your workspace. It’s also the time to store last year’s files and get ready for tax season. Office Depot has everything customers need to make the transition into the new year a smooth one, including the Realspace® 10-Drawer Mobile Organizer and Magellan Tech Station, FORAY™ Weekly Planning Board, See Jane Work® Desk Accessory Collection, Jean Chatzky Financial Organization Collection, Office Depot® Brand View Professional Binders, and Paper Mate® InkJoy™ Pens, among other top organization products and supplies.
• Mobility and Tech – For customers updating their home offices, Office Depot has the technology they need to start, run, and grow their business profitably.  Top products for the tech-savvy worker include the ASUS UX31E Zenbook™ Ultrabook™ and Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Ativa® Mobil-IT™ 17″ Slim Case and Ultimate Rolling Overnighter, and  Western Digital “My Book Live” Personal Cloud Storage Drive.
• Taxes – Office Depot has everything customers need to get ready for tax season and navigate the challenges seamlessly. The tax season portfolio of products available at Office Depot includes Intuit TurboTax® and H&R Block At Home™ software, available in-store or via Electronic Software Download on www.officedepot.com, Ativa® 6-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder and Office Depot® Brand DX160C Professional 3-Line Calculator.
• Printers, Paper and Ink – Office Depot has a large selection of printers, paper and ink for virtually every kind of business and application, as well as the resources to meet any printing need.  Whether customers want professional-looking documents or need high-volume printing, Office Depot has the inkjet, laser or all-in-ones to do it all, at an incredible value, with products such as the HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-In-One.
• Services – No matter how big or small the business, Office Depot is equipped to guide customers through their purchases and ensure they get the most out of their investment. Whether customers are setting up a new computer, creating promotional materials, or shipping via in-store USPS and UPS options, they can rely on Office Depot’s Copy & Print Depot and Tech Depot Services certified specialists to get it done right. 

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or www.officedepot.com. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

Seventy-Five Percent of Small Businesses Wish Their Workspace Was More Organized

Boca Raton, Fla., Jan. 18, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), a leading global provider of office supplies and services, today announced findings from the Company’s Small Business Index, which revealed that small businesses (SMBs) see organization as a big task – and not always one that they have conquered.

According to the survey, filing and organization are the top business tasks that small business owners least look forward to, as 27 percent loath putting their office in order. In addition, 21 percent of small business owners see “organizing my office” as the top issue that hinders their ability to focus on business growth. As the top “pain point,” organization ranks higher than saving money, and acquiring new business.

When asked what would most help bring order to their offices, SMBs plead for more time (57 percent); more tools (39 percent) or an organization expert (14 percent). The items that SMBs would most like to keep more organized or up-to-date are their desks (28 percent); desktops (24 percent) or file cabinets (23 percent).

“At Office Depot, we realize that keeping offices organized can be a challenge for small businesses,” said Farla Efros, Executive Vice President, Merchandising for Office Depot. “As the one-stop-shop for all small business needs, Office Depot offers a variety of products and services to help our small business customers be more productive by saving time and money.”

While small businesses may fret about organization, they also realize the importance of staying organized, and more than 93 percent believe an organized office or desk leads to increased productivity, while 75 percent wish their workspace was more organized.

Wish as they may, organizing their offices is the top task that small businesses believe they can improve. Twenty-two percent of SMBs think they could enhance their organization, which is followed closely by time management (21 percent), increasing profits (19 percent) and acquiring new business (18 percent).

Although SMBs don’t feel adept at organization, the majority tidy their desks either daily (27 percent) or weekly (34 percent). Only nine percent admit to cleaning their desks a couple of times a year, and one percent never organize their offices.

Survey Methodology/Sample Qualifications

Interviews are conducted via the Internet among a nationally representative sample of small and medium sized businesses. The referenced interviews were conducted from November 9, 2011 to November 17, 2011 among a total of 1,006 small and medium sized businesses. Interviewing is conducted on a monthly basis in order to track shifts that occur over time.

Ativa® MD1200 Desktop Shredder Delivers Security, Efficiency, and Value

Boca Raton, Fla., January 17, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, today announced that its Ativa® MD1200 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Desktop Shredder has been named a Consumers Digest “Best Buy” in the shredder category, in the magazine’s February issue.  The Ativa MD1200 shredder is available at nationwide Office Depot retail locations and online at www.officedepot.com starting at $79.99.

Consumers Digest “Best Buys” are defined as products that deliver the most value in a given category and merit special attention from consumers, based on a combination of performance, ease of use, features, warranty, efficiency, style, and maintenance and service requirements. “Best Buys” in shredders were selected based on performance, paper capacity, types of media accepted and warranty. Only models that use cross cut or similar technology were considered for “Best Buys” because of their ability to shred documents more thoroughly than strip-cut models.

“Being named a Consumers Digest ‘Best Buy’ is a great honor, and we are thrilled that our Ativa MD1200 shredder was recognized,” said Tammie Hunt, Vice President of Own Brand for Office Depot. “Our customers’ feedback is taken into great consideration when we design our Own Brand products, and being named a ‘Best Buy’ validates our strong focus on our customers needs.”

The compact Ativa MD1200 desktop shredder is designed for medium-duty shredding in the general household or home office use, and delivers reliable cross-cut shredding for confidential personal and business documents. With the ability to shred up to 12 sheets per pass and up to five minutes of continuous run time, the Ativa MD1200 helps clear clutter by shredding unopened junk mail and also features durable cutters that can slice through CDs/DVDs, credit cards, paper clips and staples.  The strong high-density blades resist wear and corrosion for lasting sharpness and strength and also reduces noise and vibration with the innovative Quiet Cut™ feature.

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or www.officedepot.com. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

Wide Portfolio of Software Solutions Available for Download and Instant Use Including Top Tax Programs

Boca Raton, Fla., January 12, 2012 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, today introduced the “Software Your Way” approach to software purchasing with the availability of Electronic Software Download (ESD) options on www.officedepot.com.  The new ESD capabilities deliver convenience, efficiency and a personalized approach to purchasing software from Office Depot, available at the start of the busy tax season. 

Office Depot’s “Software Your Way” solution enables customers to purchase popular software titles in the most convenient manner that meets their needs. Customers now have the option to buy software in-store at Office Depot nationwide retail locations, or visit www.officedepot.com to either download software for immediate use via ESD or have a traditional boxed version shipped to their home or office.

“We recognize that our customers have different preferences and needs when it comes to purchasing software,” said Randy Wick, Vice President of Merchandising for Office Depot. “By increasing the ways customers can obtain the most popular software titles, we are expanding our reach and further addressing the needs of our growing customer base.”

Just in time for the hectic tax season, Office Depot’s comprehensive portfolio of tax software available in-store, online and for immediate download via ESD includes H&R Block and TurboTax solutions. The assortment features all the necessary components to complete Federal and State taxes, combined with trusted tax expertise that meets the needs and challenges customers face, from the every day consumer to the small business owner.  The tax software portfolio available at Office Depot also helps the customer identify industry-specific deductions and provides trusted guidance through the entire process, step-by-step.

To complement the rollout of Office Depot’s ESD offerings, customers who purchase tax software from Office Depot in-store or online or tax forms in-store can get over $1,300 in additional free software titles[i].  Among the 24 free titles are Office Depot exclusive bundles such as Norton Internet Security™/Norton Utilities™ Premier and Serif PhotoPlus/ MoviePlus Bundle, as well as other popular titles, including Kaspersky® Internet Security, PDF Converter Professional, and Print Artist® Platinum.

In an effort to further help customers navigate the tax season, Office Depot’s Copy and Print Depot also offers a host of useful resources and services, including shredding of sensitive materials, copying tax returns and forms, faxing important documents, and shipping tax documents via in-store USPS or UPS shipping options.

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or www.officedepot.com. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

[i] After instant, mail-in and/or current user upgrade mail-in savings. Upgrade Mail-In Savings offer good for current users. Proof of ownership required. See store for details.

From The Esteemed Business Partner To The Long-Lost Family Friend, Office Depot’s Gift Assortment Meets The Needs of Everyone On This Year’s Holiday List

Boca Raton, Fla., December 21, 2011 – Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), celebrating 25 years as a leading global provider of office supplies and services, is helping last-minute holiday shoppers with a variety of gifts perfect for everyone from bosses to clients and coworkers. 

“There are so many elements for our customers to consider as they shop for the perfect gifts every holiday season,” said Farla Efros, Head of Merchandising for Office Depot.  “Our goal is to offer an assortment of options that ease the burden of holiday shopping and help our customers purchase the best gift for everyone on their lists.”

The holiday season can be a hectic time for many shoppers, and Office Depot is here to help with a host of last-minute gift ideas for every budget, including the following products:

• Amazon Kindle with Special Offers: The bookworm meets the digital guru on your list with this innovative e-Reader that boasts a wide variety of magazines, books and newspapers.
• Ativa® 2-Piece USB Speaker System: Help turn up the holiday spirits with USB portable speakers that bring joy and excitement to the season.
• Custom Photo Calendar: Give the gift of re-living memories by compiling a year full of special photos into a unique photo calendar or other creative photo gift options at Office Depot’s Copy & Print Depot™.
• FORAY® Ballpoint Pen and Mechanical Pencil Gift Set: From the diary-keeper to the author on-the-go, this FORAY ballpoint pen and coordinating FORAY mechanical pencil set offers style and a special memorable touch.
• Desktop Stand for iPhone®: The perfect choice for the trendsetter on your list, this “old-school” handset delivers the gift of nostalgia and accessibility for iPhone® users.
• NASCAR USB Flash Drive, Tony Stewart Replica Car, 8GB: This USB flash drive modeled after Tony Stewart’s winning Office Depot racing car is a perfect accessory for the die-hard race fan.
• Ativa® HD Digital Pocket Camcorder: From the family caroling performance to a baby’s first holiday, documenting those “can’t miss” moments of the season is simply impossible without a portable camcorder.
• Keurig® OfficePro B145 Coffee Brewer: Give the gift of an in-house or desk-side Barista to the java-lover this season, and supplement with a wide range of K-cup tea, coffee or hot chocolate varieties.
• Nikon® Coolpix® L24 14.0-Megapixel Digital Camera: Give the gift of memory preservation and help capture holiday photos in style with this compact, chic point-and-shoot.
• Ativa® Digital Photo Frame and Ativa® Portable Flash Drives: Load last year’s Holiday photos on a fashion USB and transfer to a digital photo frame to be put on display for friends and family throughout the holiday season.

In addition to providing a variety of gift choices for customers, Office Depot also simplifies the shipping process with in-store shipping options from United States Postal Service (USPS) and UPS.  According to a recent Office Depot survey conducted by Kelton Research, more than 60 percent of consumers noted they would rather ship their gifts this holiday season directly from a retailer.  At Office Depot’s Copy & Print Depot™, customers have the ability to purchase shipping supplies and stamps, as well as ship packages via a variety of USPS and UPS shipping options and services.

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or www.officedepot.com. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

Survey Methodology/Sample Qualifications
This survey was conducted by Kelton Research in November 2011 and was supported by Office Depot. The survey was conducted among 1,000 nationally representative American adults ages 18 and older via telephone.