Office Depot, LLC

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Sales continued to decline at two of Office Depot’s three divisions during the first quarter with weakness most pronounced in the retail business.

Total company sales declined 3% to $2.9 billion and were negatively affected by the ongoing struggles of the 1,123 unit North American retail division. Profits increased to $41 million or 14 cents a share compared with a prior year loss of $15 million or five cents a share.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. reported Tuesday that it swung to a profit of $41 million in the first quarter ended March 31, compared with a loss of $15 million in the same period last year.

Sales fell 3.4% to $2.87 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $2.89 billion in revenue. Same-store sales at the office supply retailer’s North American stores decreased 6%, and total sales for the division dropped 8% to $1.2 billion, impacted by store closures and fewer selling days.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot said Tuesday it has joined Supplier Connection, a group of 15 large businesses committed to driving small business growth by simplifying access to their global supply chains.

Supplier Connection streamlines the application process for small businesses seeking to become suppliers to the group. Through the web-based portal, small businesses have the opportunity to present their goods and services to many large enterprises with the goal of winning contracts, expanding business and creating jobs.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has joined Supplier Connection, a group of 15 large businesses committed to driving small business growth by simplifying access to their global supply chains.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. will open 13 newly remodeled locations in the Houston area on March 28.

The updates stores feature more colorful signage and easy-to-navigate floor plans. The stores were redesigned based on customer feedback and shopping patterns.

Office Depot operates 1,677 stores in 60 countries, 46 of which are located in the Houston area.

New Orleans -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties announced that urban shopping center development Mid-City Market has broken ground in New Orleans, along the North Carrollton Avenue commercial corridor.
 
Opening in early 2013, Mid-City Market will complement the proposed Lafitte Greenway pedestrian and bicycle pathway that will border the shopping center.  

NEW YORK — Office Depot has teamed up with American Express to launch a prepaid reloadable card with no monthly or maintenance fees, will soon be available in retail at select Office Depot stores. The card will roll out in more than 1,100 stores across the United States in the coming weeks.

SEATTLE — Amazon's fulfillment services just got a boost, thanks to an agreement that will have the company buying Kiva Systems Inc. for $775 million in cash. Kiva is a manufacturer of automation technology for fulfillment centers, and is best known for its mobile- robotic technology and sophisticated control software. Kiva's retail customers include The Gap, Staples, Saks 5th Avenue, Office Depot, Crate and Barrel and Walgreens.