Commenting on the changes to its European Senior Management team, Charles Brown, President Office Depot International said: "We are grateful for his many years of faithful service to our company. Our business success in Europe would not have occurred without Rolf’s leadership and customer focus.

Charles Brown further noted that “Office Depot’s success in Europe continues to be driven by a strong and stable leadership team, many of whom have been with the company for many years. While Rolf will certainly be missed, he leaves the business in good hands”.

Rolf van Kaldekerken commented: “After nearly 11 great years at Office Depot, I leave a solid company with a very strong management team behind and I am proud of all that we have achieved together. However, I am convinced that now is the right time for me to retire and to spend more time with my wife and my two children.”

Rolf van Kaldekerken joined Viking Direct in 1994 as Country Manager, overseeing Viking’s start up in Germany, and the launch of the Dutch business in 1995. Rolf continued the successful opening of Viking’s businesses in Belgium and Austria. He was instrumental in overseeing the combined operations of Office Depot and Viking following their 1998 merger. In the same year, Rolf was promoted to Vice President & Country Manager for Germany, Benelux and Austria. In 2000, he was named Executive Vice President of European Operations with responsibility of the Office Depot and Viking brands throughout Europe. In August 2000, Rolf was appointed to the position of President, European Operations. In this position, Rolf was instrumental in Office Depot’s acquisition and integration of Guilbert in June 2003.

The company also announced the search for Rolf’s replacement as EVP, European Operations. In the interim, the European Management Team will report directly to Charles Brown.

About Office Depot
With annual sales approaching 14 billion USD, Office Depot provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company. Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, Office Depot conducts business in 22 countries and employs 47,000 people worldwide. The Company operates under the Office Depot®, Viking Office Products®, Viking Direct®, Guilbert® and Tech Depot® brand names.

Office Depot sells products and services via Retail (over 1,200 Office Depot stores), Mail-order and Contract business in 23 countries worldwide.

Office Depot is the world’s number three online retailer and operates 56 Web sites in 14 countries worldwide. In 2004, the Company generated worldwide e-Commerce sales of 3.1 billion USD.

The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP, and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the Fortune 500.

About Office Depot Europe
In Europe, Office Depot sells office products and services under the Office Depot, Viking Direct and Guilbert brand names.

As one of the Industry’s leading direct mail marketers worldwide, Viking Direct currently operates in 11 countries, including: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In Europe, Office Depot sells office products and services under the Office Depot, Viking Direct and Guilbert brand names.

In addition, the Company has operations under the Office Depot and Guilbert brand names through its Contract Division in 11 countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The division targets medium to large-sized corporate and international accounts through a specialized sales force providing tailored office supply solutions.

Furthermore the Company has 44 wholly owned retail stores under the Office Depot brand name in France and 5 stores in Hungary.

Office Depot has also entered into Strategic Partnerships with four independent office supplies companies in each of the Scandinavian countries.