Staples acquires over 99% of Corporate Express shares

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. Staples and its wholly-owned subsidiary Staples Acquisition announced that it has acquired 7,437,636 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR 1.20 each, including the ordinary shares represented by American Depositary Shares, representing approximately 4% of the total issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Corporate Express; 104,137 preference shares A with a nominal value of EUR 1.20 each, representing approximately 0.2% of the total issued and outstanding preference shares in the capital of Corporate Express; and EUR 5,000 principal amount of 2% subordinated convertible bonds due 2010, representing approximately 0.002% of the total issued and outstanding principal amount of the bonds convertible into ordinary shares in the capital of Corporate Express.

The sum of the ordinary shares already held by Staples Acquisition and the 7,437,636 ordinary shares tendered in the post-acceptance period amounts to 184,534,522 shares and represents approximately 99.3% of the total issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Corporate Express; the preference shares amount to 53,248,948 shares and represent approximately 99.9% of the total issued and outstanding preference shares; and the bonds amount to EUR 114,299,000 principal and represent approximately 99.6% of the total issued and outstanding principal amount of the bonds.

In accordance with the terms of the Offer, payment of the offer price in cash per ordinary share, ADS, preference share and bond validly tendered (or defectively tendered, provided that such defect has been waived by Staples Acquisition) and validly delivered to the Dutch Settlement Agent is expected to take place on July 23, 2008.