Staples, Inc. Commences Cash Tender Offer for Corporate Express U.S. Finance Inc.'s Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2014 and 2015

Business Wire, May 22, 2008

Certain information contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to the statements as to Staples' intentions with respect to the offer to acquire Corporate Express. Actual future events may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the fact that the offer made by Staples or any other acquisition of Corporate Express will be consummated and those other factors discussed or referenced in our most recent annual reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere, and any subsequent periodic reports filed by us with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

Important Legal Information

This press release is provided for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Corporate Express U.S. Finance Inc. Any offers to purchase or solicitation of offers to sell Corporate Express U.S. Finance Inc. notes will be made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. Corporate Express U.S. Finance Inc. noteholders are advised to read the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal and any other documents relating to the tender offer and consent solicitation in their entirety when they are distributed because they will contain important information. Corporate Express U.S. Finance Inc. noteholders may obtain copies of these documents for free (when they become available) by calling Georgeson, the information agent for the offer, at 1-866-201-4446 (toll free).