Staples 2003 Annual Report Download - page 7

STAPLES, INC.
500 Staples Drive
Framingham, Massachusetts 01702
PROXY STATEMENT
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 9, 2003
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, 2003 beginning
at 4:00 p.m. at the offices of Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 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 1, 2003 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 5, 2003.
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2003 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, except for exhibits, will be furnished without charge to any stockholder upon written
or oral request to Staples, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA 01702,
telephone: [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 our Executive Officer Incentive Plan, ratification of our independent auditors
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 11, 2003, are entitled to receive notice
of the Annual Meeting and to vote their shares of Staples common stock at the meeting, or any postponement or adjournment
of the meeting. Holders of Staples common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
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 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 Staples common stock
outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting business to be conducted at the meeting. As of the record
date, 474,416,716 shares of Staples common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Proxies that are received and marked
as withholding authority, abstentions, and broker non-votes 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 in favor of the matters to be voted upon. If you are a stockholder
as of the record date and attend the meeting, you may personally deliver your completed proxy card or vote in person at the meeting.