Now in its fifth year, the Office Depot Annual Vendor Awards dinner recognises the focus, collaboration and strategic importance of the Office Depot’s vendors in providing the Company with the world’s leading products and innovations and ensuring that Office Depot continues to deliver the winning solutions its customers have come to expect. The 2006 Annual Vendor Awards were the largest and most successful to date with over 300 vendors and key customers attending.

Comedienne and author Jo Brand entertained the attendees before the 2006 winners were announced in the following categories:

 “This is our opportunity to formally recognise our vendors for their ongoing contributions to the success of our business,” said Tony Bennett, General Manager, UK and Ireland Contract Business for Office Depot. “These vital business partnerships help us to consistently deliver the highest quality products at the most competitive price, to our customers. I would like to extend my personal thanks to all of our vendors, and further congratulate the nominees and winners of 2006.”

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.