At Staples, we believe that diversity is one of our strongest assets. With operations in more than 27 countries, our brand continues to be shaped by the unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of our associates and customers around the world. And we are proud to become more diverse every year.

Staples Diversity Statement

We’ve built a great company by embracing the differences of our associates, customers and the communities we serve. And our commitment to diversity will grow even stronger as we build the Staples of the future.

Our goal is to reflect the faces of our customers in every market where Staples has a presence. Only then will we achieve our vision of being the world’s best office products company.

Ron Sargent

Chairman & CEO

June 22, 2010

Diversity is good for business. By fostering an inclusive environment — one that welcomes a wide variety of people, thought and experience — we enhance our success and drive shareholder value. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers through our own associates, as well as the hundreds of suppliers and other businesses we work with every day. We consequently strive to enhance and leverage our workforce diversity and promote diversity among our suppliers.

2009 Diversity Snapshot

Developing and maintaining a diverse workforce remains a priority at Staples. In addition to our six regional diversity task forces and their programs, we have an internal diversity council that helps guide our global diversity strategy. A snapshot of our U.S.-based workforce in 2009 highlights the results of these efforts:

• About 43% of Staples’ 2009 hires were female and 34% were minorities.
• Approximately 42% of the individuals promoted were female and about 24% were minorities. As women make up about 44% of the Staples workforce, their promotion rate is in proportion to their representation in the workforce. But as minorities represent 32% of the workforce, we know we need to address a “promotion gap” among our minority associates.

For more stats visit: www.staples.com

Diversity training and awareness raising: developing a global perspective

All our training programs reinforce our commitment to inclusiveness. Diversity and inclusion messages are woven into the New Hire Orientation required of all new associates, and Staples Learningxchange programs include training to help prepare Staples managers and senior leadership to manage in diverse workplaces.

In 2009, Staples conducted two additional diversity programs to spread successful practices and ideas throughout the company. Global Human Resources leaders shared diversity-related best practices at a summit conducted at global headquarters in Framingham, Mass. Headquarters also hosted the third International Management Trainee Program (IMTP), bringing associates from around the world to Massachusetts for 12 weeks of intensive training and an energetic exchange of best practices and innovations.

Altogether, we have now completed nine IMTP sessions for more than 50 participants from seven countries. We’re now planning more diversity trainings for roll out in 2010 and beyond to further highlight the importance of diversity at Staples.

Diversity Alliances

Staples supports or is a member of various diversity-focused professional organizations.

For example, Staples has been a member of the MetroWest Alliance for Workforce Diversity (MAWD) for the past five years, with two Staples associates currently serving on the organization’s board of directors. MAWD’s mission is to be a resource to organizations committed to strengthening their diversity practice. It provides resources to facilitate the sharing of best practices, mentoring and coaching by fellow professionals; increase the hiring and retention of diverse candidates; and support the assimilation of diverse employees and their families into the community. Staples has hosted MAWD meetings to showcase diversity awareness, training and community involvement and has supported its diversity job fairs and other related events.

For more info visit: www.staples.com

Staples Supplier Diversity Program

Staples Corporate Supplier Diversity Program’s mission is to promote and include Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) in all levels of our supply chain. Supplier diversity strategies are designed to strengthen diverse suppliers within our communities, create job opportunities, and acknowledge the vision of HUBs nationwide. Our Corporate Diversity program is more than an initiative — it’s part of our culture.

“Staples Soul reflects our commitment to corporate and social responsibility. It’s an approach to business that recognizes the connection between our success and our desire to make a positive impact on our associates, communities and the planet. Developing a thriving supplier diversity program is consistent with our Staples Soul values and will continue to be part of our business strategy for years to come.”

- Ron Sargent, Chairman and CEO

Staples Supplier Diversity Results

Staples Supplier Diversity initiatives have facilitated the year-over-year growth of independent HUBs:

• Increased Diversity One sales by 35%
• Improved Diversity One sales margins by 6.7%
• Resulted in an average increase of reported Diversity Suppliers sales by 1.7%

Other program developments include:

• Diversity Products Solutions® by Staples®. This is Staples’ own-brand line of products manufactured by diverse suppliers. Products such as remanufactured ink and toner, copy paper, legal pads and other office products, offer our customers a unique opportunity to meet their diversity and environmental purchasing goals, while supporting the growth of small, minority- and women-owned businesses.
• The launch of our Supplier Diversity Web site. The Web site includes a supplier registration portal for vendors and suppliers interested in doing business with Staples and additional information on our supplier diversity program.
• Two scholarships granted to CEOs of certified, established, independent minority business enterprises (MBEs) to attend the J. L. Kellogg School of Management Advanced Management Education Program at Northwestern University. Staples recommends high-potential MBEs for participation in the 4-day program.

To learn more, please visit our Supplier Diversity Web site