X0306 4 2012-07-01 false 0000791519 STAPLES INC SPLS 0001181715 MAHONEY JOHN 500 HUNDRED STAPLES DRIVE FRAMINGHAM MA 01702 false true false false Vice Chairman Common Stock 386108 D Common Stock 33848 I John Mahoney 2008 Irr. Trust Common Stock 2012-07-01 4 F false 8194 13.05 D 386108 D Phantom Stock Unit 401(k) Common Stock 2378.902 2378.902 D Phantom Stock Unit SERP Common Stock 5394.255 5394.255 D Reflects direct holdings after all transactions reported on this Form 4. Number includes 393,424 shares previously reported as directly held plus 878 shares acquired through participation in Staples Employee Stock Purchase Plan since the last Form 4. Phantom Stock Units are held in a 401k and are payable in cash following termination of employment. Number of underlying shares of common stock are based on July 3, 2012 account statement. See Table II, Column 2 Phantom Stock Units are held in a SERP and are payable in cash following termination of employment. Number of underlying shares of common stock are based on July 3, 2012 account statement. Cynthia Pevehouse, attorney-in-fact 2012-07-03