Staples announces the appointment of Jeffrey L. Levitan as senior vice president, strategic planning & business development

Business Wire, August 12, 1996

WESTBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1996--Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS), pioneer of the office superstore industry and operator of more than 500 office superstores worldwide, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey L. Levitan to the position of senior vice president strategic planning and business development.

In this role, Mr. Levitan will lead domestic and international planning and market assessment projects for Staples. He will oversee long range strategic planning, and provide internal consulting services to Staples' retail, contract and commercial, and international divisions.

Mr. Levitan will report directly to John Wilson, executive vice president of finance and strategy and chief financial officer.

In making the announcement, John Wilson said, "As Staples recently celebrated our 10th anniversary with record sales, and as we prepare for our second decade of growth, I'm confident that adding Jeff to the Staples team will help us reach our aggressive growth goals. His extensive experience in consulting to retail organizations and strategy development will make him a tremendous asset to the Staples family."

Mr. Levitan most recently comes to Staples from The Boston Consulting Group where he developed growth strategies and re-engineering programs for a wide range of companies in the consumer goods, telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries. Prior to The Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Levitan managed the national marketing efforts for Stride Rite Children's Group as director of marketing. He also served as senior product manager at the Gillette Company where he was responsible for a broad range of strategic and brand building assignments managing established brands, new products and divisional promotion activities.

Mr. Levitan graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University and earned his M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Levitan currently resides in Wellesley, Mass.

CONTACT: Jean M. Papagni

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(508) 370-8468

or

Samuel J. Levenson, CPA

Director--Investor Relations

(508) 370-7963