Office Depot Launches New Viking E-Commerce Web Site in Belgium; Introduction Marks the 17th & 18th Unique Web Sites Around the World

Business Wire, July 17, 2002

Business Editors

Office Depot, Inc. (NYSE:ODP), the world's largest seller of office products, announced that Viking Office Products, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has launched two new e-commerce Web sites for its customers in Belgium. The Company will offer two sites in Belgium, one for its Dutch-speaking customers at http://www.vikingdirect.be, and one for its French-speaking customers at http://www.viking-direct.be. The Company now offers 18 unique Web sites in ten countries around the world.

The new Web sites incorporate many innovative features including Quick Order by Stock Number, which enables customers to enter catalog product codes directly onto an online order form that provides added convenience and speed for online customers; and Supplies QuickFind, which helps customers identify the correct ink cartridges, ribbons or toners needed for their business machines. The sites also function on real-time inventory information, keeping track of what is actually available and in stock. By leveraging the Company's existing mail order infrastructure including merchandising, warehousing and distribution, customers will be provided with the highest level of customer service when ordering office supplies online. Viking now has 12 international Web sites in Australia, Europe, Japan and the United States.

Bruce Nelson, Office Depot's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to offer our Belgian customers a convenient way to shop for their office products and supplies. We believe the introduction of our newest international Web sites in Belgium offer tremendous opportunities for growing and increasing our presence in the office supplies market in this important region. Our business in Belgium has steadily increased since we launched our direct mail operations in 1994. Our new Web sites provide both Dutch and French speaking customers with another convenient shopping alternative for their office supply needs."

The new Internet sites will also take advantage of the Company's Belgium infrastructure including merchandising, warehousing and distribution; which will allow it to offer customers the highest level of customer service right from the start. The Company, which started its operations in Belgium in 1994 under the Viking brand name, has successfully established a strong customer base. By offering an e-commerce channel in Belgium, the Company will be able to attract new customers and increase customer loyalty in its existing customer base.

In addition, the Company's innovative use of customer database technology provides the ability to successfully customize offerings for customers and market directly to their specific business needs.

Rolf van Kaldekerken, President of European Operations for Office Depot and Viking Office Products, commented, "Our goal is to provide fanatical customer service to all new and existing customers. We are very pleased to offer our Belgium customers with another convenient shopping alternative."

Dutch speaking customers visiting the Company's Web site at http://www.vikingdirect.be and French speaking customers that log on to http://www.viking-direct.be can order more than 7,000 of their favorite and most frequently needed office supplies. The sites also offer unique enhanced features such as:

-- Enhanced personalization that can mirror the Company's printed catalogs in the form of prices and special offers.

-- Improved search capabilities - Search results are now categorized by type of product, which will enable customers to find exactly what they're looking for in the shortest amount of time.

-- Customized shopping lists - Customers can set up their most frequently ordered items into a private shopping list enabling them to place their order in seconds.

About Viking Office Products

Viking Office Products, Inc. was established in January 1960 in the U.S., and sold office products to small and medium-sized businesses through direct marketing catalogs. Outside the United States, Viking now has operations in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Belgium, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan, Switzerland and Spain.

On August 26, 1998, Viking merged with Office Depot, Inc.

Viking provides customers with fanatical customer service, convenience and speed of delivery. The Company has gained market share throughout the U.S., as well as in Europe, Australia and Japan, by aggressively marketing basic, consumable office supplies plus computer supplies, custom printed stationery, office machines, paper of all types, and office furniture. The Company has pioneered new database marketing technology, producing unique and effective catalog personalization that gets results.

About Office Depot in Europe

The Company's wholly-owned European operations are in eleven countries, including: the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. The Company primarily operates under the Viking Direct brand name, a highly successful direct mail business, and most recently, an established e-commerce operation. The Company's worldwide e-commerce sales for 2001 were $1.6 billion.