Staples 2006 Annual Report Download - page 17

STAPLES, INC.
500 Staples Drive
Framingham, Massachusetts 01702
PROXY STATEMENT
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 11, 2007
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of
Staples, Inc. (“We,” “Staples” or the “Company”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
June 11, 2007 beginning at 4:00 p.m., local time, at the Four Seasons Hotel, 1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida,
and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. An annual report, consisting of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 (the “2006 fiscal year”) and other information required by the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is being mailed to stockholders, along with these proxy materials,
on or about May 3, 2007.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At our Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying notice of meeting,
including the election of directors, approval of a by-law amendment to change the voting standard for election of
directors in uncontested elections from plurality to majority, ratification of our independent registered public
accounting firm, consideration of one shareholder proposal and consideration of such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, April 17, 2007, are entitled to receive
notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote their shares of our common stock at the meeting, or any postponement or
adjournment of the meeting. Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share and all votes
will be confidential.
Who can attend the meeting?
All stockholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the meeting. Please note that if
you hold your shares in “street name” (through a broker or other nominee), you will need to bring a copy of a
brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership in Staples as of the record date.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common
stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting business to be conducted at the meeting. As
of the record date, 717,244,081 shares of our common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Proxies that are
received and marked as withholding authority, abstentions, and broker non-votes (where a broker or nominee does
not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a matter) will be included in the calculation of the number of shares
considered to be represented at the meeting.
How do I vote?
If you complete, sign and return the accompanying proxy card, it will be voted as you direct. If no choice is
specified on a signed proxy card, the persons named as proxies will vote (1) for the election of all director nominees
(and any substitute nominees selected by our Board of Directors if any present nominees should withdraw) and
Proposals 2 and 3, (2) against the shareholder proposal and (3) in the discretion of the persons named as proxies as to
all other matters which may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting.