Staples Reports 4Q, Year-End Results

Staples Inc. (Framingham, Mass.) says its total company sales for the fourth quarter 2009 increased four percent to $6.4 billion compared to the same period in 2008. For the full year 2009, total company sales grew five percent to $24.3 billion.

“With a strong finish in the fourth quarter, our team delivered a solid 2009,” says Ron Sargent, Staples' chairman and ceo. “We made great progress on the integration of Corporate Express, took big steps toward building a global Staples brand, laid a solid foundation for growth in our technology services and copy and print businesses, and strengthened our international leadership team.”

Its North American retail division saw fourth quarter sales of $2.6 billion, while fourth quarter same-store sales grew 3 percent, with strong results in the computer, ink and toner categories, while sales of business machines and furniture were weak. Full-year comparable store sales decreased two percent versus 2008.

Internationally, the company’s fourth quarter sales grew seven percent to $1.4 billion, while full year sales increased 13 percent.

For the year, Staples opened 48 stores and closed 12 stores in the U.S., ending with 1871 stores in North America. Internationally, the company closed three stores in Germany and two stores in Sweden, for a total of 328 stores in Europe, 22 stores in China, 20 stores in Australia and two stores in Argentina.