Staples 3Q Sales Up 9%

Framingham, Mass., Staples announced Tuesday that total company sales for the third quarter ended Nov. 3 increased 9% to $5.2 billion compared to the third quarter of 2006. Net income declined 5% year over year to $275 million.

Staples said it anticipates low double-digit sales growth for the total company in the fourth quarter. Staples expects flat to slightly negative same-store sales and high single-digit sales growth in North American retail.

For the full year 2008, the company expects to achieve high single-digit sales growth for the total company and a low single-digit comparable sales increase in North American retail.