19 January began with a breakfast networking event, which gave Office Depot customers the opportunity to meet with the UK and Ireland Board of Directors. The breakfast was followed by a vendor exhibition, where over 750 customers met 60 of the world’s leading office products manufacturers.

Lord Coe KBE, the driving force behind the successful 2012 London Olympic bid, delivered an insightful and inspiring presentation at the conference, highlighting the way in which the Olympic bid was formulated and the critical success factors which led to London being selected as host city.

“I am pleased that we have built on the success of last year’s event,” said Tony Bennett, General Manager, UK and Ireland Contract Business. “To attract over 750 customers to the Live Forum is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the value they place on our vendors and the latest product innovations. Office Depot is committed to continuing to engage our customers with our vendors at every opportunity. This initiative has brought significant benefit to all parties.”

The feedback from the vendors and customers attending the event was just as positive:

• “Never have I had such a smooth set up to any show I have attended before, if I wanted something, nothing was too much trouble.” - Hewlett Packard representative

• “Every year I arrive at the Live Forum I know the products I show will have a sales increase the following week.” - 3M delegate

• “I was impressed last year. I was even more impressed this year.” - Maureen Thomas, customer

• “I found the day useful and proactive to new supplier developments.” - Luisa Defoe, customer

About Office Depot and Viking Direct United Kingdom
Viking Direct mail order customers receive a mix of catalogue mailings throughout the course of the year, designed to keep them informed of new products and special offers. Orders are placed via the telephone, fax or the award winning web site www.viking-direct.co.uk. The Viking Direct business is the clear leader within the direct-mail office supplies channel and is the supplier of choice to small and medium sized organisations across the UK.

Office Depot is the country’s leading contract supplier of office products, specialising in providing cost effective and efficient supply solutions to corporate customers, who want to negotiate terms of supply with a representative of the company. Office Depot customers have exclusive access to over 2,400 Niceday products – the group’s own brand, which has gained a well-earned reputation for value and quality. The comprehensive choice of over 7,500 products in the catalogue, is available for next day delivery and multiple-channel ordering and invoicing methods are available – phone, fax, e-mail and online www.onlineofficedepot.co.uk. Office Depot UK’s own team of drivers and a fleet of over 300 vehicles deliver to business addresses across the country.

About Office Depot
With annual sales of over 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®, and Viking Direct® brand names.

Office Depot is a leader in every distribution channel - from retail stores and contract delivery to catalogs and e-commerce. With over $3.8 billion of sales, the Company is one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers. As of December 31, 2005, Office Depot had 1,047 retail stores in North America. Internationally, the Company conducts wholly-owned operations in 14 countries, and operates under joint venture and license arrangements in another six countries.

The company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index. Additional press information can be found at: http://mediarelations.officedepot.com.