Staples 2003 Annual Report Download - page 9

Other Matters
All costs of solicitation of proxies will be borne by us. We may engage Mellon Investor Services L.L.C. to perform
certain ministerial services in connection with the proxy solicitation process at a cost anticipated not to exceed $12,500.
In addition to solicitations by mail, our Directors, officers and regular employees, without additional remuneration, may
solicit proxies by telephone, electronic communication and personal interviews. Brokers, custodians and fiduciaries will be
requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the owners of stock held in their names, and we will reimburse them for
their related out-of-pocket expenses.
Stockholders who intend to present stockholder proposals at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2004
Annual Meeting”) and desire to include such proposals in our proxy materials relating to that meeting should contact the
Corporate Secretary at 500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA 01702. Such stockholder proposals must be received at our
principal corporate offices in Framingham, Massachusetts at the address set forth in the preceding sentence not later than
January 6, 2004 and must be in compliance with applicable laws and Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
in order to be considered for possible inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting.
If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal at our 2003 annual meeting of stockholders and the proposal is not intended
to be included in our proxy statement for such meeting, the stockholder must give advance notice to us by May 15, 2003, in
accordance with our By-laws. If a stockholder gives notice of such a proposal after the May 15, 2003 deadline, the stockholder
will not be permitted to present the proposal to the stockholders for a vote at the meeting. If a stockholder wishes to present
a proposal at our 2004 Annual Meeting and the proposal is not intended to be included in our proxy statement for such meeting,
the stockholder must give advance notice to us in accordance with our By-laws, as further described below. If a stockholder
gives notice of such a proposal after the applicable deadline, the stockholder will not be permitted to present the proposal to
the stockholders for a vote at the meeting. For the 2004 Annual Meeting, our Corporate Secretary generally must receive such
a notice at the address noted above not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the 2004 Annual Meeting; provided that,
in the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure is given or made, our By-laws provide that notice by the
stockholder must be received not later than the close of business on the 10
th
day following the date on which such notice of
the date of the 2004 Annual Meeting is mailed or such public disclosure is made, whichever occurs first.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not know of any other matters which may come
before the Annual Meeting. Should any other matter requiring a vote of the stockholders arise and be properly presented
at the Annual Meeting, the proxy included with this proxy statement confers upon the persons named in the proxy and
designated to vote the shares discretionary authority to vote, or otherwise act, with respect to any such matter, in accordance
with their best judgment.
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy
statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy statement and annual report may have been sent
to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of the document to you if you write
or call the Corporate Secretary at the following address or phone number: 500 Staples Drive, Framingham, Massachusetts
01702, telephone [phone]. If you want to receive separate copies of the annual report and proxy statement in the
future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact
your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.
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