Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Oct. 29, 2011

Basis of Presentation Disclosure [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Staples, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Staples”, “the Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”).  These financial statements are for the period covering the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011 (also referred to as the “third quarter of 2011" and "year-to-date2011”) and the period covering the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010 (also referred to as the “third quarter of 2010” and "year-to-date2010").  All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.  Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

Prior to 2011, the Company separately tracked the integration and restructuring costs associated with the July 2008 acquisition of Corporate Express N.V. ("Corporate Express"). The integration and restructuring costs represented the integration of Corporate Express with the Company’s pre-existing business and the consolidation of certain operations of the combined company.  In 2011, the Company is no longer tracking integration and restructuring costs because of the progress of the integration and the difficulty in accurately isolating such costs.

These financial statements have been prepared based upon Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods.  For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and certain other information, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2011.  In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.