New growth plan brings services closer to the customer in time for 'Back-

To-School'

PARRY SOUND, ON, July 25 /CNW/ - STAPLES Business Depot, Canada's fastest growing office products retailer, will be opening its second STAPLES Express store as part of a growth plan aimed at providing the utmost in convenience for customers. The new store, located in Parry Sound, Ontario, will celebrate with an official launch event on July 26, 2008. The first STAPLES Express was opened in Port Colborne in late 2007.

The new STAPLES Express store is approximately 10,000 sq. ft. and stocks more than 3,500 products. Building the new-concept, smaller STAPLES Express stores is part of a long-term growth plan that could see as many as 50 similar stores opening across Canada over the next five years. Although the company continues to build large-format stores, STAPLES Express stores enable customers in smaller communities to shop for essentials without having to travel as far-a legitimate concern during times of escalating fuel/transportation costs.

"We are a destination for our customers and our concept works very well in smaller communities," says John Castiglione, vice president of sales and operations for STAPLES Business Depot. "We also believe that we have a role to play in revitalizing traditional and existing properties; our STAPLES Express store concept is perfect for mall settings and we are excited to join the other retailers. By choosing the mall as the location for the Parry Sound STAPLES Express store, we are showing that there is still great potential for growth there."

The first STAPLES Express store opened in Port Colborne, Ontario in December 2007, providing customers with a great selection of products at everyday low prices. "We expect to see increased sales at both the Port Colborne location and the new Parry Sound store as we enter into our busy back-to-school period," said Castiglione.

Launch Event Information

The new Parry Sound STAPLES Express store will celebrate on July 26 with a Grand Opening ceremony and a variety of fabulous door crasher deals. On Grand Opening day, customers will also receive 10% off their purchase of any merchandise in the store, along with a chance to win a $1,000 STAPLES Gift Card.

    <<
    Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008
    Grand Opening Ceremony: 8:30 a.m.
    Doors open: 9:00 a.m.
    Location: 70 Joseph Street
    Interviews: Debra Macdonald, Director of Operations, STAPLES Business
    Depot
    Media: Photo and film ops will be available
    RSVP: Alessandra Saccal at alessandra.saccal@staples.ca
    >>

About STAPLES Business Depot

Founded in Toronto in 1991, The Business Depot Ltd. is Canada's largest supplier of office supplies, business machines, office furniture and business services for the small business and home office customer. The company is an everyday low price retailer. The chain operates stores in all provinces across Canada under the banners STAPLES(R) Business Depot(TM) and Bureau en Gros(MC). The company has over 13,500 employees serving customers through almost 300 office superstores, catalogue, and e-commerce. STAPLES(R) Business Depot(TM)/ Bureau en Gros(MC) is committed to making shopping easy by offering customers three ways to shop: online, by catalogue and in-store. STAPLES Business Depot was recently ranked number one by the 2008 Marketing/Leger Corporate reputation survey. More information is available at www.staples.ca.

or to speak to someone from STAPLES Business Depot
 please contact: Sarah Daly
 Veritas Communications
 (416) 482-2248 x 583
 daly@veritascanada.com; Alessandra Saccal
 STAPLES Business Depot
 (905) 737-1147 x 2363
 (416) 570-9978
 alessandra.saccal@staples.ca