Staples 2007 Annual Report Download - page 11

STAPLES, INC.
500 Staples Drive
Framingham, Massachusetts 01702
PROXY STATEMENT
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 9, 2008
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 9, 2008 beginning at 3:30 p.m., local time, at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, 1881 Curtis Street, Denver, Colorado,
and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. On or about April 28, 2008, we are either mailing or
providing notice and electronic delivery of these proxy materials together with an annual report, consisting of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 (the ‘‘2007 fiscal year’’) and other
information required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on June 9, 2008
This proxy statement and our 2007 annual report are available for viewing, printing and downloading at
www.proxyvote.com.
You may request a copy of the materials relating to our Annual Meetings, including the proxy statement and form
of proxy for our 2008 Annual Meeting and the 2007 annual report, at www.proxyvote.com or by sending an email to our
Investor Relations department at [email protected] or by calling [phone].
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 an amendment to our certificate of incorporation deleting Article XII
in order to remove supermajority voting provisions, approval of our Executive Officer Incentive Plan, approval of an
amendment to our Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan increasing the total number of shares
authorized for issuance under the plan, 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 14, 2008, 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. You may obtain directions to the
location of our 2008 Annual Meeting by writing, emailing or calling our Investor Relations department at 500 Staples
Drive, Framingham, Massachusetts 01702, email: [email protected], or telephone: [phone].
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, 701,702,963 shares of our common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Proxies that are