S-4/A

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective and upon the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to consummation of the transactions described herein.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is subject to completion and amendment. A registration statement relating to the securities described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy these securities be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This joint proxy statement/prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

The board of directors of each of Office Depot, Inc. (“Office Depot”) and OfficeMax Incorporated (“OfficeMax”) unanimously approved a strategic business combination structured as a merger of equals. Based upon the estimated number of shares of capital stock of the parties that will be outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of this business combination, we estimate that, upon consummation of the business combination, Office Depot stockholders will hold approximately [—]% and OfficeMax stockholders will hold approximately [—]% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company (assuming redemption of all outstanding shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock).

This is an exciting and important event in each of our companies’ histories, and we are very pleased to provide this document to you. It is a prospectus related to the proposed issuance by Office Depot of shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Office Depot common stock”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended from time to time, the “merger agreement”) entered into by, among others, Office Depot and OfficeMax. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, if the requisite stockholder approval and other approvals are obtained and the other closing conditions are satisfied or waived, through a series of transactions that are further described in this document, OfficeMax will become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot. This document is also a proxy statement of OfficeMax and Office Depot to use in soliciting proxies for their respective special meetings of stockholders. At Office Depot’s special meeting of stockholders, stockholders of Office Depot will vote on, among other things, the proposal to issue shares of Office Depot common stock to the stockholders of OfficeMax pursuant to the merger agreement (the “Office Depot share issuance”). Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), Office Depot is required to obtain stockholder approval for the Office Depot share issuance. At OfficeMax’s special meeting of stockholders, stockholders of OfficeMax will vote on, among other things, the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to approve certain transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the approval of stockholders of OfficeMax must be obtained before the transactions can be completed.

The series of transactions described in this document include, among others, what are referred to in this document as the “first merger” and the “second merger.” The first merger involves only OfficeMax and two of its subsidiaries. Pursuant to the merger agreement, at the effective time of the first merger, each outstanding share of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, of OfficeMax (the “OfficeMax common stock”) will be converted into one share of common stock of Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation (“New OfficeMax”). The first merger will result in a holding company structure for OfficeMax but will not affect the merger consideration that OfficeMax stockholders will receive at the effective time of the second merger pursuant to the merger agreement. Pursuant to the merger agreement, at the effective time of the second merger, each share of New OfficeMax common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the second merger (excluding any shares of OfficeMax common stock held by Office Depot or its subsidiary Dogwood Merger Sub Inc. or held in treasury) will be converted into the right to receive 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, pursuant to the merger agreement. This exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted for changes in the market value of shares of Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock.

OfficeMax common stock currently trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “OMX,” and Office Depot common stock currently trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “ODP.” The Office Depot common stock being registered pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-4 (of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part) will be listed on the NYSE.

The special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders will be held on [—], 2013 at [—] [—].m., local time, at [—]. At the special meeting, OfficeMax stockholders will be asked to vote on, among other things, the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the first merger and the second merger. OfficeMax’s board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and the second merger, are advisable and in the best interests of OfficeMax and its stockholders. OfficeMax’s board of directors recommends that OfficeMax stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the first merger and the second merger; “FOR” the approval on an advisory (non-binding) basis of the compensation that may be paid or become payable to OfficeMax’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise related to the proposed transactions; and “FOR” the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger.

The special meeting of Office Depot stockholders will be held on [—], 2013 at [—] [—].m., local time, at [—]. At the special meeting, Office Depot stockholders will be asked to vote on, among other things, the Office Depot share issuance. Office Depot’s board of directors unanimously approved the Office Depot share issuance and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance, are advisable and in the best interests of Office Depot and its stockholders. Office Depot’s board of directors recommends that Office Depot stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Office Depot share issuance; and “FOR” the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Office Depot share issuance.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is an important document containing answers to frequently asked questions and a summary description of the transactions, followed by more detailed information about Office Depot, OfficeMax, the transactions, the merger agreement, and the other matters to be voted upon by Office Depot stockholders and OfficeMax stockholders as part of the special meetings. We urge you to read this document and the documents incorporated by reference into this document carefully and in their entirety. In particular, you should consider the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 39.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with the transactions described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This document is dated [—] and is first being mailed to stockholders of Office Depot and stockholders of OfficeMax on or about [—].

This is a notice that a special meeting of stockholders of Office Depot, Inc. (“Office Depot”) will be held on [—], 2013, beginning at [—][—].m., local time, at [—], unless postponed to a later date. This special meeting will be held for the following purposes:

This joint proxy statement/prospectus describes the proposals listed above in more detail. Please refer to the attached document, including the merger agreement and all other annexes and including any documents incorporated by reference, for further information with respect to the business to be transacted at the special meeting. You are encouraged to read the entire document carefully before voting. In particular, see the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page 39.

Office Depot’s board of directors unanimously approved the Office Depot share issuance and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance, are advisable and in the best interests of Office Depot and its stockholders. Office Depot’s board of directors recommends that Office Depot stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Office Depot share issuance; and “FOR” the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Office Depot share issuance.

The Office Depot board of directors has fixed the close of business on May 28, 2013 as the record date for determination of Office Depot stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Office Depot special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of Office Depot capital stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Office Depot special meeting.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES THAT YOU OWN. The merger between Office Depot and OfficeMax cannot be completed without the approval of the Office Depot share issuance by the affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting in favor of the Office Depot share issuance by holders of shares of 10.00% Series A Redeemable Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10.00% Series B Redeemable Conditional Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Office Depot (together, the “Office Depot convertible preferred stock”) and shares of Office Depot common stock, voting

together as a single class, provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent over 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) and shares of Office Depot common stock entitled to vote on the proposal on the record date. Without approval of the Office Depot share issuance, the second merger will not be completed.

Whether or not you expect to attend the Office Depot special meeting in person, we urge you to submit a proxy to have your shares voted as promptly as possible by either: (1) logging onto the website shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote online; (2) dialing the toll-free number shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote by phone; or (3) signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the Office Depot special meeting. If your shares are held in an Office Depot plan or in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the plan trustee or administrator, or such broker, bank or other nominee, as appropriate.

If you have any questions concerning the Office Depot share issuance or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or this joint proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies or need help voting your shares of Office Depot common stock, please contact Office Depot’s proxy solicitor:

This is a notice that a special meeting of stockholders of OfficeMax Incorporated (“OfficeMax”) will be held on [—], 2013, beginning at [—][—].m., local time, at [—], unless postponed to a later date. This special meeting will be held for the following purposes:

OfficeMax’s board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and the second merger, are advisable and in the best interests of OfficeMax and its stockholders. OfficeMax’s board of directors recommends that OfficeMax stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the first merger and the second merger; “FOR” the approval on an advisory (non-binding) basis of the compensation that may be paid or become payable to OfficeMax’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise related to the proposed transactions; and “FOR” the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger.

The OfficeMax board of directors has fixed the close of business on May 28, 2013 as the record date for determination of OfficeMax stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the OfficeMax special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of OfficeMax capital stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the OfficeMax special meeting.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES THAT YOU OWN. The merger between OfficeMax and Office Depot cannot be completed without the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the first merger and the second merger by the affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax’s Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D (“OfficeMax Series D preferred stock”), entitled to vote as of the record date for the special meeting, voting together as a single class.

Whether or not you expect to attend the OfficeMax special meeting in person, we urge you to submit a proxy to have your shares voted as promptly as possible by either: (1) logging onto the website shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote online; (2) dialing the toll-free number shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote by phone; or (3) signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the OfficeMax special meeting. If your shares are held in an OfficeMax plan or in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the plan trustee or administrator, or such broker, bank or other nominee, as appropriate.

If you have any questions concerning the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or this joint proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies or need help voting your shares of OfficeMax common stock, please contact OfficeMax’s proxy solicitor:

This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Office Depot and OfficeMax from documents that are not included in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available to you without charge upon your request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company or its proxy solicitor at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

If you would like to request any documents, please do so by [—], 2013 in order to receive them before the special meetings.

For a more detailed description of the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus and how you may obtain it, see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-187807) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “SEC”) by Office Depot, constitutes a prospectus of Office Depot under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Securities Act”), with respect to the Office Depot common stock to be issued to OfficeMax stockholders pursuant to the second merger. This joint proxy statement/prospectus also constitutes a joint proxy statement for both OfficeMax and Office Depot under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Exchange Act”). It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting of Office Depot stockholders and a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [—], and you should assume that the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate only as of such date. You should also assume that the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus is only accurate as of the date of such information.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding Office Depot has been provided by Office Depot and information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding OfficeMax has been provided by OfficeMax.

All references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to “OfficeMax” refer to OfficeMax Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, or, immediately following the conversion into a limited liability company, as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, “OfficeMax Converted LLC,” as applicable; all references to “New OfficeMax” refer to Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of OfficeMax formed for the purpose of effecting the first merger as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus; and all references to “Merger Sub One” refer to Mapleby Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New OfficeMax formed for the purpose of effecting the first merger as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. All references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to “Office Depot” refer to Office Depot, Inc., a Delaware corporation; all references to “Merger Sub Two” refer to Dogwood Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot formed for the purpose of effecting the second merger as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus; and all references to “Merger Sub Three” refer to Dogwood Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot formed for the purpose of effecting the third merger as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. All references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to the “combined company” refer to Office Depot immediately following completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

All references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to the “merger agreement” refer to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 20, 2013, by and among Office Depot, Merger Sub Two, Merger Sub Three, New OfficeMax, Merger Sub One and OfficeMax, a copy of which is included as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, as it may be amended from time to time.

The following are some questions that you, as a stockholder of Office Depot or a stockholder of OfficeMax, may have regarding the transactions, the Office Depot share issuance and other matters being considered at the special meetings of stockholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax and the answers to those questions. Office Depot and OfficeMax urge you to carefully read the remainder of this joint proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the transactions, the Office Depot share issuance and the other matters being considered at the special meetings of stockholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to and the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

SUMMARY

The following summary highlights selected information described in more detail elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all the information that may be important to you. To understand the transactions and the matters being voted on by OfficeMax stockholders and Office Depot stockholders at their respective special meetings more fully, and to obtain a more complete description of the legal terms of the merger agreement, you should carefully read this entire document, including the annexes, and the documents to which Office Depot and OfficeMax refer you. Each item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that topic. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219.

The Parties (see pages 48 and 49)

OfficeMax Incorporated

OfficeMax Incorporated, a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “OfficeMax,” is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products distribution. OfficeMax provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions and office furniture and facilities products to large, medium and small businesses, government offices and consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, the Internet and more than 900 retail stores located throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Shares of OfficeMax common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “NYSE”) under the symbol “OMX.” The principal executive offices of OfficeMax are located at 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, and its telephone number is (630) 438-7800.

Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation

Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “New OfficeMax,” is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of OfficeMax. Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation was formed by OfficeMax solely in contemplation of the transactions, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. Its principal executive offices are located at c/o OfficeMax Incorporated, 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, and its telephone number is (630) 438-7800.

Mapleby Merger Corporation

Mapleby Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Merger Sub One,” is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of OfficeMax. Mapleby Merger Corporation was formed by OfficeMax solely in contemplation of the transactions, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. Its principal executive offices are located at c/o OfficeMax Incorporated, 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, and its telephone number is (630) 438-7800.

Office Depot, Inc.

operated under Office Depot’s franchise and licensing agreements), a field sales force, top-rated catalogs and global e-commerce operations. Sales are processed through multiple channels, consisting of office supply stores, a contract sales force, an outbound telephone account management sales force, Internet sites, direct marketing catalogs and call centers, all supported by a network of supply chain facilities and delivery operations. Office Depot employs about 38,000 associates and serves customers in 59 countries worldwide. Shares of Office Depot common stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “ODP.” The principal executive offices of Office Depot are located at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496, and its telephone number is (561) 438-4800.

Dogwood Merger Sub Inc.

Dogwood Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Merger Sub Two,” is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot. Dogwood Merger Sub Inc. was formed by Office Depot solely in contemplation of the transactions, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or other obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. Its principal executive offices are located at c/o Office Depot, Inc., 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496, and its telephone number is (561) 438-4800.

Dogwood Merger Sub LLC

Dogwood Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Merger Sub Three,” is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot. Dogwood Merger Sub LLC was formed by Office Depot solely in contemplation of the transactions, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or other obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. Its principal executive offices are located at c/o Office Depot, Inc., 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496, and its telephone number is (561) 438-4800.

The Transactions (see page 63)

Office Depot, Merger Sub Two, Merger Sub Three, New OfficeMax, Merger Sub One and OfficeMax have entered into the merger agreement pursuant to which, through a series of transactions including the first merger and the second merger, OfficeMax will become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot, and OfficeMax stockholders will become stockholders of Office Depot.

OfficeMax stockholders are receiving this document in connection with OfficeMax’s solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to vote on, among other things, the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger as contemplated by the merger agreement.

Office Depot stockholders are receiving this document in connection with Office Depot’s solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to vote on, among other things, the proposal to issue Office Depot common stock to the OfficeMax stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement.

Structure and Effects of the Transactions (see page 63)

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement and in accordance with Delaware law, on the closing date:

•

Merger Sub One will merge (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “first merger”) with and into OfficeMax, with OfficeMax surviving the first merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of New OfficeMax;

•

following the effective time of the first merger, OfficeMax, the surviving corporation of the first merger, will be converted (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “LLC conversion”) into a Delaware limited liability company;

•

following the effective time of the LLC conversion, Merger Sub Two will merge (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “second merger”) with and into New OfficeMax, with New OfficeMax surviving the second merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot; and

•

following the effective time of the second merger, New OfficeMax, the surviving corporation from the second merger, will merge (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “third merger”) with and into Merger Sub Three, with Merger Sub Three surviving the third merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot.

Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the first merger and the LLC conversion described under the first and second bullet points above.

LOGO

In the first merger, shares of OfficeMax will be converted into shares of New OfficeMax, so the former holders of OfficeMax capital stock will, at the effective time of the first merger, own all of the outstanding shares of New OfficeMax. Following the effective time of the first merger, OfficeMax will be converted into a limited liability company.

**	Circled entities are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the second merger and the third merger described under the third and fourth bullet points above.

LOGO

*	Circled entities are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The first merger, the second merger, the third merger and the LLC conversion are collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “transactions.” In structuring the transactions as described above, the parties took into account, among other things, the effect of the transactions on certain contractual obligations of Office Depot and OfficeMax, as well as the desire to preserve tax-free reorganization treatment. For diagrams depicting the structure of the transactions described above, see “The Transactions—Effects of the Transactions” beginning on page 63.

At the effective time of the first merger, each share of OfficeMax common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the first merger will be converted into one share of common stock of

New OfficeMax. Each of OfficeMax and New OfficeMax will take all actions as may be necessary so that at the effective time of the first merger, each OfficeMax stock option and each other OfficeMax stock-based award will, automatically and without any action on behalf of the holder thereof, be converted into a stock option or award, as the case may be, denominated in, or measured in whole or in part by the value of, shares of capital stock of New OfficeMax.

At the effective time of the second merger, each share of New OfficeMax common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the second merger (excluding any shares held by Office Depot, Merger Sub Two or in treasury, which shares will be cancelled and no payment will be made with respect to such shares) will be converted into the right to receive 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “exchange ratio”), together with cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, pursuant to the merger agreement.

For more information, see also “The Merger Agreement—Effects of the Transactions” beginning on page 153.

The exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted for changes in the market value of shares of Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock. Because the exchange ratio was fixed at the time the merger agreement was executed and because the market value of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock will fluctuate during the pendency of the transactions, OfficeMax stockholders cannot be sure of the value of the shares of Office Depot common stock they will receive relative to the value of their shares of OfficeMax common stock. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Transactions” beginning on page 39.

Office Depot Special Meeting (see page 50)

Date, Time and Place. The Office Depot special meeting will be held on [—], 2013, beginning at [—][—].m., local time, at [—], unless postponed to a later date.

Purpose. The special meeting of Office Depot stockholders is being held to consider and vote on the following proposals:

•

Proposal 1. to approve the issuance of shares of Office Depot common stock to OfficeMax stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement, which is referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Office Depot share issuance;” and

•

Proposal 2. to approve the adjournment of the Office Depot special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Office Depot share issuance.

Record Date; Voting Rights. The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Office Depot special meeting is May 28, 2013. Only Office Depot stockholders who held shares of record at the close of business on May 28, 2013 are entitled to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, so long as such shares remain outstanding on the date of the special meeting. Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock are the only classes of stock entitled to vote, and holders of Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote on each proposal presented at the Office Depot special meeting. Each share of Office Depot common stock entitles its holder of record to one vote at the Office Depot special meeting. As of the record date, the 350,000 shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding entitle funds advised by BC Partners Ltd and its affiliates (collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “BC Partners”) as the record holder to a total of 81,354,536 votes (on an as-converted basis) at the Office Depot special meeting.

Vote Required. The votes required for each proposal are as follows:

•

Proposal 2. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Office Depot special meeting, is required to approve the adjournment of the Office Depot special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Office Depot share issuance.

As of the record date, there were [—] shares of Office Depot common stock outstanding, held by [—] holders of record, and [—] shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock outstanding, all of which are held of record by BC Partners. In addition, as of the record date, Office Depot directors and executive officers, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote [—] shares of Office Depot common stock, or approximately [—]% of the outstanding shares of Office Depot common stock. Office Depot currently expects that these directors and executive officers will vote their shares in favor of the proposal to approve the Office Depot share issuance, although none of them has entered into any agreement obligating them to do so.

OfficeMax Special Meeting (see page 56)

Date, Time and Place. The OfficeMax special meeting will be held on [—], 2013, beginning at [—][—].m., local time, at [—], unless postponed to a later date.

Purpose. The special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders is being held to consider and vote on the following proposals:

•

Proposal 1. to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger;

•

Proposal 2. to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to OfficeMax’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise related to the proposed transactions; and

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Proposal 3. to approve the adjournment of the OfficeMax special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement and approve the first merger and the second merger.

Record Date; Voting Rights. The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the OfficeMax special meeting is May 28, 2013. Only OfficeMax stockholders who held shares of record at the close of business on May 28, 2013 are entitled to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment

or postponement of the special meeting, so long as such shares remain outstanding on the date of the special meeting. OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock are the only classes of stock entitled to vote, and holders of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock are entitled to vote on each proposal presented at the OfficeMax special meeting. Each share of OfficeMax common stock entitles its holder of record to one vote at the OfficeMax special meeting, and each share of OfficeMax Series D preferred stock entitles its holder of record to one vote at the OfficeMax special meeting.

Vote Required. The votes required for each proposal are as follows:

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Proposal 3. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the OfficeMax special meeting (excluding, in accordance with OfficeMax’s bylaws, any shares where the holder has expressly indicated that the holder is abstaining from voting) is required to approve the adjournment of the OfficeMax special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger.

As of the record date, there were [—] shares of OfficeMax common stock outstanding, held by [—] holders of record, and [—] shares of OfficeMax Series D preferred stock outstanding, held by [—] holders of record. In addition, as of the record date, OfficeMax directors and executive officers, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote [—] shares of OfficeMax common stock, or approximately [—]% of the outstanding shares of OfficeMax common stock. OfficeMax currently expects that these directors and executive officers will vote their shares in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger, although none of them has entered into any agreement obligating them to do so.

Recommendation of Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions (see page 80)

Office Depot’s board of directors recommends that Office Depot stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the issuance of shares of Office Depot common stock pursuant to the merger agreement (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Office Depot share issuance”).

In the course of reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance, Office Depot’s board of directors considered a number of factors in its deliberations. For a more complete discussion of these factors, see “The Transactions—Recommendation of Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions” beginning on page 80.

Recommendation of OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions (see page 84)

OfficeMax’s board of directors recommends that OfficeMax stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the first merger and the second merger.

In the course of reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and second merger, OfficeMax’s board of directors considered a number of factors in its deliberations. For a more complete discussion of these factors, see “The Transactions—Recommendation of OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions” beginning on page 84.

Opinions of Office Depot’s Financial Advisors (see page 93)

Opinion of Peter J. Solomon Company L.P.

In connection with the proposed transactions, Office Depot’s financial advisor, Peter J. Solomon Company L.P. and Peter J. Solomon Securities Company LLC (collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “PJSC”), rendered to the board of directors of Office Depot its oral opinion on February 19, 2013, subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of such date, and based upon and subject to various assumptions, considerations, qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion, the exchange ratio provided for in the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Office Depot.

The full text of PJSC’s written opinion, dated February 19, 2013, is attached as Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. PJSC’s opinion was directed only to the fairness of the exchange ratio to Office Depot from a financial point of view, was provided to Office Depot’s board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the transactions, did not address any other aspect of the transactions and did not, and does not, constitute a recommendation to any holder of Office Depot’s capital stock as to how any such holder should vote on the transactions or act on any matter relating to the transactions.

Opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Office Depot also retained Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Morgan Stanley”) to act as its financial advisor in connection with the transactions. On February 19, 2013, Morgan Stanley rendered its oral opinion to the Office Depot board of directors, subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of such date and based upon and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth therein, the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Office Depot.

The full text of the written opinion of Morgan Stanley, dated February 19, 2013, is attached as Annex D to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The Morgan Stanley opinion is directed to Office Depot’s board of directors and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to Office Depot pursuant to the merger agreement as of the date of the opinion. The Morgan Stanley opinion does not address any other aspect of the transactions and does not constitute a recommendation as to how the stockholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax should vote at the stockholders’ meetings to be held in connection with the transactions.

Opinion of OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor (see page 113)

OfficeMax retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “J.P. Morgan”) to act as its financial advisor in connection with the transactions. At the meeting of OfficeMax’s board of directors on February 19, 2013, J.P. Morgan rendered its oral opinion to the board of directors of OfficeMax that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in its opinion, the exchange ratio in the proposed transactions was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of OfficeMax common stock. The oral opinion was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of J.P. Morgan’s written opinion dated the same date.

The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan, dated February 19, 2013, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex E to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The OfficeMax stockholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. J.P. Morgan’s written opinion is addressed to the board of directors of OfficeMax, is directed only to the fairness from a financial point of view of the exchange ratio in the proposed transactions as of the date of the opinion and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of OfficeMax as to how such stockholder should vote at the OfficeMax special meeting.

Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions (see page 123)

When considering the recommendation of Office Depot’s board of directors with respect to the transactions, you should be aware that Office Depot’s executive officers and directors may have interests in the transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of Office Depot’s stockholders more generally. These interests may present such executive officers and directors with actual or potential conflicts of interest. Office Depot’s board of directors was aware of these interests during its deliberations on the merits of the transactions and in deciding to recommend that Office Depot stockholders vote for the Office Depot share issuance at the special meeting. These interests include:

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Acceleration of Vesting of Equity Awards. Office Depot’s executive officers have previously been granted stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards under Office Depot’s 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “2007 Plan”) and long-term cash incentive awards under Office Depot’s 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Long-Term Incentive Cash Plans for Officers and Directors (collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “LTICPs”). The awards granted under the 2007 Plan and the LTICPs have generally been amended or otherwise granted with terms to provide that in the event of the award holder’s involuntary termination without “cause” (as defined in the 2007 Plan) or termination for “good reason” (as defined in the award holder’s employment agreement or change in control agreement with Office Depot), which termination is referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as a “Qualifying Termination,” during the two year period following the completion of the transactions, any such award, to the extent then outstanding, will become fully vested. In the case of any performance-based awards that become vested pursuant to the provisions described in the preceding sentence, the vesting of such awards will be deemed to occur (i) at a percentage that corresponds to the level as if the “target” level of future performance had been achieved in the case of any award for which the performance period has not yet been completed at the time of termination and (ii) based on actual performance results in the case of any award for which the performance period has been completed at or prior to the time of termination. The “double triggered” vesting protection described above does not, however, apply to (x) Neil Austrian’s outstanding incentive awards (which would generally become service vested upon any Qualifying Termination, regardless of whether such termination occurs before, in connection with or following the completion of the transactions) or (y) the final tranche of performance share awards that were granted to Office Depot’s executive officers (other than Neil Austrian) in February 2013, which tranche is scheduled to vest in 2016.

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Change in Control and Termination Benefits. The change in control agreements entered into with certain of Office Depot’s executive officers were amended to provide that the completion of the transactions will constitute a “change in control” for purposes of the change in control agreements and, accordingly, following the completion of the transactions, Office Depot has agreed to provide and/or maintain their position, compensation and benefits generally no less favorable than those provided to such executive officers prior to the closing. In the event of a Qualifying Termination, in each case, within two years following the completion of the transactions (or prior to the closing, so long as the closing subsequently occurs), certain of Office Depot’s executive officers would receive certain

compensation and benefits paid or provided by Office Depot under its change in control agreements with such executive officers. Such benefits to Office Depot’s executive officers include: (i) all vested and accrued, but unpaid, salary and benefits earned through the termination date; (ii) a lump-sum cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of (x) the executive officer’s annual base salary and (y) the executive officer’s target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the date of the termination of employment occurs; (iii) an additional cash payment equal to the executive officer’s prorated target annual bonus amount for the fiscal year in which the date of termination of employment occurs; (iv) a lump-sum cash payment equal to eighteen times Office Depot’s COBRA premium for the executive officer in effect on the date of termination of employment; and (v) an executive outplacement services package for a period of 24 months.

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Retention Plan Bonus Payments. In connection with the transactions, Office Depot has entered into a retention arrangement with Kim Moehler (Senior Vice President—Finance and Controller) providing for retention payments subject to her continued employment with Office Depot through the installment payment dates described below, or if Kim Moehler’s employment is earlier terminated without “cause,” due to death or disability or due to a resignation for “good reason,” if applicable. The aggregate amount of Kim Moehler’s retention payments is $400,000. The first 50% installment of the retention payment is earned upon the earlier of (i) a decision by the antitrust regulators regarding whether the transactions will be allowed to proceed and (ii) December 15, 2013. The second 50% installment of the retention payment is earned on June 30, 2014. No retention arrangements have been entered into with any of Office Depot’s executive officers who are party to change in control agreements with Office Depot.

For a more detailed discussion, see “The Transactions—Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 123.

Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions (see page 129)

When considering the recommendation of OfficeMax’s board of directors with respect to the transactions, you should be aware that OfficeMax’s executive officers and directors may have interests in the transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of OfficeMax’s stockholders more generally. These interests may present such executive officers and directors with actual or potential conflicts of interest. OfficeMax’s board of directors was aware of these interests during its deliberations on the merits of the transactions and in deciding to recommend that OfficeMax stockholders vote for the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the first merger and the second merger at the OfficeMax special meeting. These interests include:

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Acceleration of Vesting of Equity Awards. OfficeMax’s executive officers have previously been granted stock options, restricted stock units and performance restricted stock units under OfficeMax’s 2003 Incentive and Performance Plan (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “OfficeMax Plan”). Under the merger agreement, performance restricted stock units granted under the OfficeMax Plan will be converted in the transactions into time vesting awards which will vest at the target level of performance, subject to the holder’s continued employment, upon the vesting date or dates previously applicable to the performance award. The awards granted under the OfficeMax Plan also have terms which provide that in the event of the executive’s qualifying termination (as defined in the executive’s change in control agreement described below) during the two year period following the completion of the transactions, any award, to the extent then outstanding and unvested, will become fully vested.

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Change in Control Termination Benefits. All of OfficeMax’s executive officers have change in control agreements that formalize their severance benefits if the officer is terminated under the circumstances discussed below on or after a change in control of OfficeMax (which will occur upon the completion of

the proposed transactions). Generally, under the change in control agreements, an executive officer will receive the benefits provided under the agreement if a change in control occurs, and after the change in control the officer’s employment is terminated and the termination is a qualifying termination, as defined in the change in control agreement. The principal benefits under the change in control agreements upon a qualifying termination include: (i) the officer’s salary through the termination date; (ii) severance pay equal to a multiple (two times for each executive officer other than Mr. Hartley and Ms. O’Connor) of the sum of the officer’s annual base salary and “target bonus;” and pay for accrued but unused time off. For certain officers, OfficeMax will gross-up the officer’s total payments under the agreement to cover any excise and other applicable taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of such payments. The agreements also contain provisions allowing the officer to continue to participate in OfficeMax’s benefit plans or to receive cash at OfficeMax’s discretion in lieu of participating, with the duration and cost of this arrangement differing depending on title.

For a more detailed description, see “The Transactions—Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 129.

Board of Directors and Management of the Combined Company Following Completion of the Transactions (see page 134)

The merger agreement contains certain provisions relating to the governance of Office Depot following completion of the transactions (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “combined company”), which reflect the merger of equals structure of the proposed business combination. Completion of the transactions is subject to the conditions described under “—Conditions to Completion of the Transactions” beginning on page 23, including the adoption by Office Depot, effective as of the effective time of the second merger, of the amended and restated bylaws in the form included as Annex B in this joint proxy statement/prospectus (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “amended and restated bylaws” or the “Office Depot amended and restated bylaws”) to implement certain governance matters for a four-year period following completion of the transactions.

The board of directors of the combined company and its committees will have equal representation from both parties as of the closing. As of the closing, the then-current chief executive officers of both parties will be appointed as co-chief executive officers of the combined company, unless and until a successor has been appointed as the sole chief executive officer of the combined company (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “successor CEO”). A selection committee consisting of an equal number of independent directors of each party will identify successor CEO candidates. Office Depot has designated Nigel Travis, Marsha J. Evans and Thomas J. Colligan and OfficeMax has designated V. James Marino, Rakesh Gangwal and Francesca Ruiz de Luzuriaga as members of the selection committee with Messrs. Travis and Marino serving as co-chairpersons. The selection committee will also consider the then-current chief executive officers of both parties as successor CEO candidates. In addition, as of the closing, the officers for the combined company will be appointed by the newly constituted board of directors from among the officers of both parties.

The combined company’s name and headquarters location will be determined by the newly constituted board of directors, taking into consideration the recommendation of the successor CEO after his or her appointment. If such matters have not been determined prior to the completion of the transactions, the combined company will have dual headquarters in Naperville, Illinois and Boca Raton, Florida, and the businesses of each party will continue to operate under their existing names, in each case until otherwise so determined.

For a more complete description of the provisions of the merger agreement and the amended and restated bylaws related to the governance of the combined company, see “The Transactions—Board of Directors and Management of the Combined Company Following Completion of the Transactions” on page 134 and “The

Merger Agreement—Governance of the Combined Company Following Completion of the Transactions” on page 164.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Transactions (see page 135)

Each of the first merger and the LLC conversion, taken together, and the second merger and the third merger, taken together, are intended to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Code”).

The obligations of Office Depot and OfficeMax to consummate the transactions are subject to the receipt by Office Depot and OfficeMax of the opinions of their respective counsel to the effect that, on the basis of the facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinions which are consistent with the state of facts existing as of the closing date, each of the first merger and the LLC conversion, taken together, and the second merger and the third merger, taken together, will qualify for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

If the transactions so qualify, then a U.S. Holder of OfficeMax common stock generally will not recognize any gain or loss on the conversion of such holder’s OfficeMax common stock into New OfficeMax common stock in the first merger, and a U.S. Holder of New OfficeMax common stock who receives shares of Office Depot common stock in the second merger generally will not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of such holder’s New OfficeMax common stock for Office Depot common stock (other than gain or loss with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share).

The tax consequences of the transactions to each OfficeMax stockholder may depend on such holder’s particular facts and circumstances. OfficeMax stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors to understand fully the consequences to them of the transactions in their specific circumstances. A more detailed discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the transactions can be found in the section entitled “The Transactions—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Transactions” beginning on page 135.

Accounting Treatment of the Transactions (see page 138)

Although the parties have structured the transactions as a merger of equals, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “GAAP,” require that one party to the transactions be identified as the acquirer. Based on a number of factors viewed as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the relative voting rights of former Office Depot stockholders in the combined entity anticipated to exist upon the completion of the combination, the transactions are expected to be accounted for as a business combination, with Office Depot as the accounting acquirer and OfficeMax as the accounting acquiree. The final consideration will be allocated to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from OfficeMax based on their respective fair values as of the completion of the transactions. Any consideration above or below those fair values will be recorded as goodwill or gain, respectively.

The allocation of consideration reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is based on preliminary estimates using assumptions that management believes are reasonable utilizing information currently available. The final allocation will be based in part on detailed valuation studies which have not yet been completed. Differences between preliminary estimates in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and the final acquisition accounting will occur and could have a material impact on the combined company’s future results of operations and financial position. The final allocation is expected to be completed no later than twelve months following the closing of the transactions.

Regulatory Approvals Required to Complete the Transactions (see page 138)

OfficeMax and Office Depot have each agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain all regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The obligations of Office Depot and OfficeMax to consummate the transactions are subject to, among other matters, termination or earlier expiration of any waiting period applicable to the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and receipt of any approvals, consents or clearances required in connection with the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, in each case, under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “HSR Act”), the Mexican Federal Law on Economic Competition (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “FLEC”) and the Competition Act (Canada) (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “CAC”).

On March 7, 2013, Office Depot and OfficeMax filed Notification and Report Forms with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Antitrust Division”) and the Federal Trade Commission (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “FTC”). On April 8, 2013, the parties received a Request for Additional Information and Documentary Materials (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as a “second request”) from the FTC regarding the proposed transactions. The effect of the second request was to extend the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act until 30 days after each party has substantially complied with the second request, unless that period is terminated sooner by the FTC or is extended voluntarily by agreement of the parties. The parties will work to promptly respond to the second request and continue to work cooperatively with the FTC in connection with this review.

On April 12, 2013, Office Depot and OfficeMax filed their respective notices and an application for an advance ruling certificate pursuant to section 102 of the CAC or, in the alternative, a no-action letter with the Commissioner of Competition under the CAC in respect of the transactions. On May 6, 2013, the Commissioner of Competition issued a no-action letter in respect of the transactions stating that, as at such date, the Commissioner of Competition does not intend to challenge the transactions by making an application to the Competition Tribunal under section 92 of the CAC. The no-action letter acknowledges that, pursuant to section 97 of the CAC, the Commissioner of Competition reserves the right to challenge the transactions up to one year after they have been completed.

The parties intend to notify the Mexican Federal Competition Commission (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “MFCC”) under the FLEC as soon as reasonably practicable.

See also the sections entitled “The Transactions—Regulatory Approvals” beginning on page 138 and “The Merger Agreement—Efforts to Complete the Transactions” beginning on page 155.

Treatment of OfficeMax Stock Options and OfficeMax Stock-Based Awards (see page 141)

In connection with the first merger, each of OfficeMax and New OfficeMax will take all actions as may be necessary so that at the effective time of the first merger, each OfficeMax stock option and each other OfficeMax stock-based award will, automatically and without any action on behalf of the holder thereof, be converted into a stock option or award, as the case may be, denominated in, or measured in whole or in part by the value of, shares of capital stock of New OfficeMax.

common stock equal to the exercise price per share of New OfficeMax common stock subject to the New OfficeMax stock option divided by the exchange ratio. Each other New OfficeMax stock-based award will be converted as a result of the second merger into an award, on the same terms and conditions as the New OfficeMax stock-based award, with respect to a number of shares of Office Depot common stock that is equal to the number of shares of New OfficeMax common stock underlying such New OfficeMax stock-based award multiplied by the exchange ratio, except that any then outstanding New OfficeMax stock-based awards that vest based on the attainment of performance goals with a performance period that has not completed prior to the closing will be converted into time-based awards that will vest at target levels at the originally scheduled vesting date, subject to any accelerated vesting upon a qualifying termination of employment in accordance with the terms of the 2003 OfficeMax Incentive and Performance Plan. Prior to the effective time of the second merger, OfficeMax, Office Depot and their respective boards of directors and compensation committees, as applicable, will take all actions necessary to effectuate the conversion of New OfficeMax stock options and other stock-based awards as described in this paragraph.

Treatment of OfficeMax Series D Preferred Stock (see page 142)

Prior to the closing of the transactions, OfficeMax will redeem each issued and outstanding share of its Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “OfficeMax Series D preferred stock”) for shares of OfficeMax common stock in accordance with the terms governing the OfficeMax Series D preferred stock. The shares of OfficeMax common stock issued upon such redemption will then be converted at the effective time of the second merger into the right to receive shares of Office Depot common stock based on the exchange ratio, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, pursuant to the merger agreement.

Treatment of Office Depot Convertible Preferred Stock; Agreements with BC Partners (see page 142)

Under the voting agreement described above under “Office Depot Special Meeting,” Office Depot, OfficeMax and BC Partners agreed that, effective as of immediately following the receipt of (i) the requisite Office Depot stockholder approval in connection with the transactions and (ii) the consent of the lenders under Office Depot’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 25, 2011 (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “amended credit agreement”), 175,000 shares of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by BC Partners will be redeemed for cash by Office Depot at the redemption price applicable to the Office Depot convertible preferred stock. In addition, upon satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions under the merger agreement and following receipt by Office Depot of the consent of the lenders under the amended credit agreement, all remaining shares of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock then held by BC Partners will, effective as of immediately prior to completion of the transactions, be redeemed for cash by Office Depot at the redemption price applicable to the Office Depot convertible preferred stock. As of December 29, 2012, the applicable redemption price for all of the shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock would have been approximately $435 million.

In addition, BC Partners may not, at any time following receipt of the requisite Office Depot stockholder approval in connection with the transactions and prior to the redemption of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock, convert their Office Depot convertible preferred stock into Office Depot common stock if such conversion would result in the ownership by BC Partners of 5% or more of the undiluted Office Depot common stock expected to be outstanding immediately following completion of the transactions (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “ownership cap”), unless BC Partners have a good faith intention to sell an amount of Office Depot common stock such that their aggregate ownership of Office Depot common stock immediately following completion of the transactions will be less than the ownership cap (such amount of Office Depot common stock equal to, or in excess of, the ownership cap, being referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “excess amount”) and have entered into sale agreements or made other arrangements with

respect to such sale. If BC Partners are not able to sell the excess amount prior to completion of the transactions, Office Depot will, upon receipt of the required lender consent under the amended credit agreement, repurchase from BC Partners, and BC Partners will be required to sell to Office Depot, at a price per share of Office Depot common stock reported at the close of the NYSE on the trading date immediately prior to the date of completion of the transactions, a number of shares of Office Depot common stock equal to the excess amount.

The obligations of OfficeMax to consummate the transactions are subject to the completion of the transactions contemplated by the voting agreement. As a result, if the Office Depot convertible preferred stock is not redeemed or any excess amount of Office Depot common stock is not repurchased as provided for in the voting agreement, the transactions may not be completed.

On March 4, 2013, Office Depot entered into the Second Amendment (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “second amendment”) to the amended credit agreement with the lenders party to the amended credit agreement. The second amendment provides Office Depot the ability to make payments to BC Partners to redeem all of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock and to repurchase certain amounts of Office Depot common stock held by BC Partners, in each case as required by the voting agreement.

In connection with the voting agreement, Office Depot and BC Partners also entered into a termination agreement (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “termination agreement”), pursuant to which the Investor Rights Agreement, dated June 23, 2009, between Office Depot and BC Partners and the related management rights letter will automatically terminate effective as of the completion of the transactions.

Listing of Office Depot Common Stock; Delisting of OfficeMax Common Stock (see page 144)

It is a condition to the consummation of the transactions that the shares of Office Depot common stock to be issued to OfficeMax stockholders in the second merger be authorized for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. As a result of the transactions, shares of OfficeMax common stock currently listed on the NYSE will cease to be listed on the NYSE.

Appraisal Rights (see page 144)

Under Delaware law, holders of OfficeMax stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the first merger or the second merger. Because Office Depot is not a constituent corporation to any of the first merger, the second merger or the third merger, and Office Depot stockholders will continue to hold their shares of Office Depot common stock, Office Depot stockholders will not be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the transactions.

Litigation Related to the Transactions (see page 144)

In connection with the transactions, purported stockholders of OfficeMax have filed putative stockholder class action lawsuits against OfficeMax, Office Depot and the OfficeMax board of directors, among others. The lawsuits generally allege, among other things, that the directors of OfficeMax breached their fiduciary duties to OfficeMax stockholders in connection with the transactions. The lawsuits further allege that OfficeMax and Office Depot, among others, aided and abetted the OfficeMax directors in the breach of their fiduciary duties. The lawsuits seek injunctive relief enjoining the transactions, damages and costs, among other remedies.

OfficeMax, Office Depot and the OfficeMax board of directors believe that these lawsuits are without merit and intend to defend against them vigorously.

No Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals (see page 150)

In the merger agreement, Office Depot and OfficeMax agreed not to solicit proposals relating to certain alternative transactions or, except as described below, engage in discussions or negotiations with respect to, or provide nonpublic information to any person in connection with, any proposal for an alternative transaction. If Office Depot or OfficeMax, as the case may be, receives a written unsolicited bona fide proposal relating to an alternative transaction that its respective board of directors has determined in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors) constitutes a superior proposal or could reasonably be expected to result in a superior proposal, then Office Depot or OfficeMax, as applicable, may, subject to certain conditions, furnish nonpublic information to the third party making the proposal for an alternative transaction and engage in discussions or negotiations with the third party with respect to the proposal for an alternative transaction.

Conditions to Completion of the Transactions (see page 147)

The obligations of Office Depot and OfficeMax to consummate the transactions are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

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adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the first merger and the second merger by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock entitled to vote at the special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders, voting as a single class;

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approval of the Office Depot share issuance by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock, provided that the total votes cast represent over 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) and shares of Office Depot common stock;

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expiration or earlier termination of any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and receipt of any approvals, consents or clearances required in connection with the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, in each case, under the HSR Act, the CAC and the FLEC;

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expiration or termination of any agreement entered into with a governmental authority under any antitrust laws, which provides that the parties to the merger agreement will not consummate the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

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absence of any judgment, injunction, order or decree of a competent United States federal or state governmental authority prohibiting or enjoining the consummation of the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

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effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and the absence of any stop order or similar restraining order by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement; and

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approval for listing on the NYSE of the shares of Office Depot common stock to be issued to OfficeMax stockholders in connection with the second merger, subject to official notice of issuance.

In addition, each of Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s obligations to consummate the transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

•

and the date of the merger agreement) that are qualified by a “material adverse effect” qualification being true and correct as so qualified as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing (other than those representations and warranties of this type that were made only as of a specified date or period, which need only be true and correct as so qualified as of such date or period);

•

the representations and warranties of the other party (other than the representations relating to the capitalization of such other party and its subsidiaries that are parties to the merger agreement and the absence of an event having a material adverse effect on such other party between September 29, 2012 and the date of the merger agreement) that are not qualified by a “material adverse effect” qualification being true and correct as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing (other than those representations and warranties of this type that were made only as of a specified date or period, which need only be true and correct as of such date or period) except for such failures to be true and correct as would not have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on such other party;

•

the representations and warranties of the other party relating to the capitalization of such other party and its subsidiaries that are parties to the merger agreement being true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing, other than with respect to issuances permitted under the merger agreement (other than those representations and warranties of this type that were made only as of a specified date or period, which need only be true and correct in all material respects as of such date or period);

•

the representations and warranties of the other party relating to the absence of an event having a material adverse effect on such other party between September 29, 2012 and the date of the merger agreement being true and correct as of such period;

•

the absence of any events that have or would have a material adverse effect on the other party since the date of the merger agreement;

•

the other party having performed and complied in all material respects with its obligations and agreements under the merger agreement at or prior to the closing;

•

receipt of a certificate, dated as of the closing date, from the other party, signed on the other party’s behalf by such other party’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer to the effect that the conditions described under the preceding six bullet points have been satisfied; and

•

receipt of a written tax opinion, dated as of the closing date, from each party’s counsel to the effect that (i) the first merger and the LLC conversion, taken together, and (ii) the second merger and the third merger, taken together, will qualify, for United States federal income tax purposes, as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

In addition, the obligations of OfficeMax to consummate the transactions are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

•

the adoption by Office Depot, effective as of the effective time of the second merger, of the amended and restated bylaws included as Annex B in this joint proxy statement/prospectus that will include certain governance matters applicable to the combined company following completion of the transactions; and

•

the transactions contemplated by the voting agreement with BC Partners have been consummated, and the agreements with BC Partners will be in full force and effect.

Termination of the Merger Agreement (see page 157)

The merger agreement may be terminated and the transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the closing date under the following circumstances:

•

by mutual written consent of Office Depot and OfficeMax;

•

by either Office Depot or OfficeMax:

•

if there is any law or regulation that makes consummation of the transactions illegal or otherwise prohibited, or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree of a competent United States federal or state governmental authority enjoining Office Depot or OfficeMax from consummating the transactions has become final and nonappealable (the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement must, however, have used its reasonable best efforts to render inapplicable such law or regulation or remove such judgment, injunction, order or decree);

•

if the transactions have not been consummated by December 31, 2013 (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “end date”), except that, if, on December 31, 2013, the only conditions to closing that have not been satisfied or waived are those related to antitrust approvals, consents or clearances or an outstanding judgment, injunction, order or decree of a competent United States federal or state governmental authority prohibiting or enjoining the transactions, then the end date will be automatically extended without further action of the parties to (including) April 30, 2014 (this termination right, however, will not be available to any party whose failure to perform any covenant or obligation under the merger agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the transactions to occur on or before the end date, as extended);

•

if the OfficeMax stockholders fail to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger at the special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders;

•

if the Office Depot stockholders fail to approve the Office Depot share issuance at the special meeting of Office Depot stockholders; or

•

if there has been a material breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement or if any event has occurred, which breach or event results in the failure of certain conditions to the obligations of a party to consummate the transactions described under “—Conditions to Completion of the Transactions” on page 23 to be satisfied on or prior to the end date, and such breach or event is not capable of being cured or has not been cured within 30 business days after detailed written notice has been received by such other party;

•

by either party, if, prior to obtaining the requisite approval of the other party’s stockholders, (i) the other party’s board of directors withdraws, modifies or qualifies, in a manner adverse to such party, its recommendation with respect to the transactions or (ii) after the date of the merger agreement an acquisition proposal with respect to the other party was announced or disclosed and such other party’s board of directors fails to affirm its recommendation with respect to the transactions within ten business days after receipt of a written request to do so; and

•

by either party, at any time prior to obtaining the requisite approval of its stockholders, in order to enter into a definitive written agreement with respect to a superior proposal it received in accordance with the merger agreement.

Expenses and Termination Fee Relating to the Transactions (see page 159)

Generally, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be paid by the party incurring those expenses, subject to the

exceptions described under “The Merger Agreement—Expenses and Termination Fee” on page 159. In addition, if it is judicially determined that the termination of the merger agreement was caused by a willful or intentional breach of the merger agreement, then, in addition to other remedies for a willful or intentional breach of the merger agreement, the breaching party will indemnify and hold harmless the other parties to the merger agreement for their respective reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses as well as fees and expenses incident to negotiation, preparation and execution of the merger agreement and related documentation and stockholders’ meetings and consents, except that, upon payment of the full termination fee, the breaching party will no longer be required to so indemnify or hold harmless the other parties.

Upon termination of the merger agreement, Office Depot or OfficeMax, as the case may be, will under certain circumstances be required to pay the other party or its designee a termination fee of $30 million in cash (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “termination fee”). See “The Merger Agreement—Expenses and Termination Fee” on page 159 for a more complete description of the circumstances under which Office Depot or OfficeMax may be required to pay the other party the termination fee.

Comparison of Rights of Common Stockholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax (see page 193)

OfficeMax stockholders receiving shares of Office Depot common stock in the second merger will have different rights once they become stockholders of the combined company due to differences between the governing corporate documents of OfficeMax and the proposed governing corporate documents of the combined company. These differences are described in more detail under “Comparison of Rights of Common Stockholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax” beginning on page 193.

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Office Depot

The following selected historical consolidated financial data of Office Depot for each of the years during the three-year period ended December 29, 2012 and the selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 have been derived from Office Depot’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 contained in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the years ended December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 25, 2010, December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 have been derived from Office Depot’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for such years contained in Office Depot’s other reports filed with the SEC, which are not incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

The selected historical financial information for each of the three-month periods ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012, and the balance sheet data as of March 30, 2013 have been derived from Office Depot’s unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013 contained in Office Depot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The balance sheet data as of March 31, 2012 have been derived from Office Depot’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 contained in Office Depot’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on May 1, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In Office Depot’s view, the unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim March 30, 2013 financial information. Interim results for the three months ended and as of March 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of, and are not projections for, the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.

The information set forth below is only a summary and is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations of Office Depot or the combined company following completion of the transactions, and you should read the following information together with Office Depot’s consolidated financial statements, the related notes and the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Office Depot’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013 and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and in Office Depot’s other reports filed with the SEC. For more information, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219.


	March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012			December 29, 2012			December 31, 2011⁽¹⁾			December 25, 2010			December 26, 2009			December 27, 2008
	(In thousands, except per share amounts and statistical data)
Statements of Operations Data:
Sales	$	2,718,260		$	2,872,809		$	10,695,652		$	11,489,533		$	11,633,094		$	12,144,467		$	14,495,544
Net earnings (loss)^{(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)}	$	(6,643	)	$	49,499		$	(77,120	)	$	95,691		$	(46,205	)	$	(598,724	)	$	(1,481,003	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Office Depot^{(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)}	$	(6,655	)	$	49,503		$	(77,111	)	$	95,694		$	(44,623	)	$	(596,465	)	$	(1,478,938	)
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders^{(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)}	$	(16,824	)	$	41,287		$	(110,045	)	$	59,989		$	(81,736	)	$	(626,971	)	$	(1,478,938	)
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.06	)	$	0.14		$	(0.39	)	$	0.22		$	(0.30	)	$	(2.30	)	$	(5.42	)
Diluted	$	(0.06	)	$	0.14		$	(0.39	)	$	0.22		$	(0.30	)	$	(2.30	)	$	(5.42	)
Statistical Data:
Facilities open at end of period:
United States⁽⁹⁾:
Office supply stores		1,111			1,123			1,112			1,131			1,147			1,152			1,267
Distribution centers		13			13			13			13			13			15			20
Crossdock facilities		2			2			2			2			3			6			12
International⁽¹⁰⁾:
Office supply stores		124			132			123			131			97			137			162
Distribution centers		23			27			23			27			26			39			43
Call centers		21			22			21			22			25			29			27
Total square footage—North American Retail Division		25,328,898			26,477,499			25,518,027			26,556,126			27,559,184			28,109,844			30,672,862
Percentage of sales by segment:
North American Retail Division		42.1	%		42.5	%		41.7	%		42.4	%		42.7	%		42.1	%		42.2	%
North American Business Solutions Division		30.0	%		28.8	%		30.0	%		28.4	%		28.3	%		28.7	%		28.6	%
International Division		27.9	%		28.7	%		28.3	%		29.2	%		29.0	%		29.2	%		29.2	%


	March 30, 2013		March 31, 2012		December 29, 2012		December 31, 2011		December 25, 2010		December 26, 2009		December 27, 2008
	(In thousands, except per share amounts and statistical data)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets	$	3,791,647	$	4,125,149	$	4,010,779	$	4,250,984	$	4,569,437	$	4,890,346	$	5,268,226
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities		479,820		642,513		485,331		648,313		659,820		662,740		688,788
Redeemable preferred stock, net		386,401		371,851		386,401		363,636		355,979		355,308		—

(1)	Includes 53 weeks in accordance with Office Depot’s 52—53 week reporting convention.

(2)

First quarter 2013 Net earnings (loss), Net earnings attributable to Office Depot, and Net earnings available to holders of Office Depot common stock include approximately $15 million of merger-related expenses, $5 million of asset impairment charges and $5 million of restructuring activities and asset dispositions.

(3)

First quarter 2012 Net earnings (loss), Net earnings attributable to Office Depot, and Net earnings available to holders of Office Depot common stock include approximately $63 million net gain on purchase price recovery, as well as $18 million of asset impairment charges, $23 million of charges related to restructuring activities, lease accruals and actions to improve future operating performance, and $12 million of charges related to the extinguishment of debt.

(4)

Fiscal year 2012 Net earnings (loss), Net earnings attributable to Office Depot, and Net earnings available to holders of Office Depot common stock include approximately $139 million of asset impairment charges, $63 million net gain on purchase price recovery and $56 million of charges related to closure costs and process improvement activity.

(5)

Fiscal year 2011 Net earnings (loss), Net earnings attributable to Office Depot, and Net earnings available to holders of Office Depot common stock includes approximately $58 million of charges relating to facility closure and process improvement activity. In addition, approximately $123 million of tax and interest benefits were recognized associated with settlements and removal of contingencies and valuation allowances.

(6)

Fiscal year 2010 Net earnings (loss), Net loss attributable to Office Depot, and Net loss available to holders of Office Depot common stock include charges of approximately $87 million, including approximately $51 million for the write-off of Construction in Progress related to developed software. In addition, tax benefits and interest reversals of approximately $41 million were recognized from settlements.

(7)

Fiscal year 2009 Net earnings (loss), Net loss attributable to Office Depot, and Net loss available to holders of Office Depot common stock include charges of approximately $253 million relating to facility closures and other items and approximately $322 million to establish valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets.

(8)	Fiscal year 2008 Net loss attributable to Office Depot, and Net loss available to holders of Office Depot common stock include impairment charges for goodwill and trade names of $1.27 billion and other asset impairment charges of $222 million.

(9)	Facilities of wholly-owned entities operated by Office Depot in the United States.

(10)	Facilities of wholly-owned or majority-owned entities operated by Office Depot’s International Division.

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of OfficeMax

The following selected historical consolidated financial data of OfficeMax for each of the years during the three-year period ended December 29, 2012 and the selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 have been derived from OfficeMax’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the years ended December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 25, 2010, December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 have been derived from OfficeMax’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for such years contained in OfficeMax’s other reports filed with the SEC, which are not incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

The selected historical financial information for the three-month period ended March 30, 2013 and the balance sheet data as of March 30, 2013 have been derived from OfficeMax’s unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013 contained in OfficeMax’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The selected historical financial information for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 and the balance sheet data as of March 31, 2012 have been derived from OfficeMax’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 contained in OfficeMax’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In OfficeMax’s view, the unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim March 30, 2013 financial information. Interim results for the three months ended and as of March 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of, and are not projections for, the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.

The information set forth below is only a summary and is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations of OfficeMax or the combined company following completion of the transactions, and you should read the following information together with OfficeMax’s consolidated financial statements, the related notes and the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in OfficeMax’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012 and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2013, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and in OfficeMax’s other reports filed with the SEC. For more information, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219.


	March 30, 2013⁽¹⁾			March 31, 2012⁽²⁾			December 29, 2012⁽³⁾			December 31, 2011⁽⁴⁾			December 25, 2010⁽⁵⁾			December 26, 2009⁽⁶⁾			December 27, 2008⁽⁷⁾
	(millions, except per-share amounts)
Assets:
Current assets	$	1,996		$	1,935		$	1,984		$	1,939		$	2,014		$	2,021		$	1,855
Property and equipment, net		342			365			352			365			397			422			491
Timber notes receivable		818			899			818			899			899			899			899
Other		469			856			630			866			769			728			929
Total assets	$	3,624		$	4,055		$	3,784		$	4,069		$	4,079		$	4,070		$	4,174
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
Current liabilities	$	931		$	980		$	1,057		$	1,013		$	1,044		$	1,092		$	1,184
Long-term debt, less current portion		227			229			226			229			270			275			290
Non-recourse debt		735			1,470			735			1,470			1,470			1,470			1,470
Other		589			751			687			756			645			702			918
Noncontrolling interest		49			36			45			32			49			28			22
OfficeMax shareholders’ equity—preferred stock		27			29			27			29			31			36			43
OfficeMax shareholders’ equity—other		1,066			561			1,007			540			570			467			247
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	3,624		$	4,055		$	3,784		$	4,069		$	4,079		$	4,070		$	4,174
Net sales	$	1,767		$	1,873		$	6,920		$	7,121		$	7,150		$	7,212		$	8,267
Net income (loss) attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest	$	58		$	7		$	421		$	38		$	74		$	(1	)	$	(1,666	)
Joint venture results attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1	)		(2	)		(4	)		(3	)		(3	)		2			8
Net income (loss) attributable to OfficeMax	$	57		$	5		$	417		$	35		$	71		$	1		$	(1,658	)
Preferred dividends		(1	)		(1	)		(2	)		(2	)		(2	)		(3	)		(4	)
Net income (loss) available to OfficeMax common shareholders	$	56		$	5		$	415		$	33		$	69		$	(2	)	$	(1,662	)
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$	0.65		$	0.06		$	4.79		$	0.38		$	0.81		$	(0.03	)	$	(21.90	)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	$	0.64		$	0.06		$	4.74		$	0.38		$	0.79		$	(0.03	)	$	(21.90	)
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.02		$	0.00		$	0.06		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	0.45

(1)

First quarter of 2013 included the following pre-tax items: (i) $85.4 million of income for the recognition of deferred gains related to OfficeMax’s investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.; (ii) $6.9 million charge for certain costs related to the pending merger with Office Depot; and (iii) $1.0 million of dividend income related to OfficeMax’s investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.

(2)	First quarter of 2012 included the following pre-tax items: (i) $25.3 million charge for costs related to retail store closures in the U.S.; and (ii) $2.1 million of dividend income related to OfficeMax’s investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.

(3)

2012 included the following pre-tax items: (i) $11.4 million charge for impairment of fixed assets associated with certain of OfficeMax’s retail stores. OfficeMax’s minority partner’s share of this charge of $0.4 million is included in joint venture results attributable to non-controlling interest; (ii) $56.4 million charge for accelerated pension expense related to participant settlements; (iii) $41.0 million charge for costs related to retail store closures in the U.S.; (iv) $6.2 million charge for severance and other costs; and (v) $670.8 million gain related to an agreement that legally extinguished OfficeMax’s non-recourse debt guaranteed by Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

(4)

2011 included the following pre-tax items: (i) $14.9 million charge for severance and other costs; (ii) $11.2 million charge for impairment of fixed assets associated with certain of OfficeMax’s retail stores in the U.S.; and (iii) $5.6 million charge for costs related to retail store closures in the U.S.

(5)

2010 included the following pre-tax items: (i) $11.0 million charge for impairment of fixed assets associated with certain of OfficeMax’s retail stores in the U.S.; (ii) $13.1 million charge for costs related to retail store closures in the U.S., partially offset by a $0.6 million severance reserve adjustment; and (iii) $9.4 million favorable adjustment of a reserve associated with OfficeMax’s legacy building materials manufacturing facility near Elma, Washington due to the sale of the facility’s equipment and the termination of the lease.

(6)

2009 included the following items: (i) $17.6 million pre-tax charge for impairment of fixed assets associated with certain of OfficeMax’s retail stores in the U.S. and Mexico; OfficeMax’s minority partner’s share of this charge of $1.2 million is included in joint venture results attributable to non-controlling interest; (ii) $31.2 million pre-tax charge for costs related to retail store closures in the U.S. and Mexico. OfficeMax’s minority partner’s share of this charge of $0.5 million is included in joint venture results attributable to non-controlling interest; (iii) $18.1 million pre-tax charge for severance and other costs; (iv) $4.4 million pre-tax gain related to interest earned on a tax escrow balance established in a prior period in connection with OfficeMax’s legacy Voyageur Panel business; (v) $2.6 million pre-tax gain related to OfficeMax’s investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.; and (v) $14.9 million of income tax benefit from the release of a tax uncertainty reserve upon resolution of an issue under IRS appeal regarding the deductibility of interest on certain of OfficeMax’s industrial revenue bonds.

(7)

2008 included the following pre-tax items: (i) $1,364.4 million charge for impairment of goodwill, trade names and fixed assets. OfficeMax’s minority partner’s share of this charge of $6.5 million is included in joint venture results attributable to non-controlling interest; (ii) $735.8 million charge for non-cash impairment of the timber installment note receivable due from Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and $20.4 million of related interest expense; (iii) $27.9 million charge for severance and costs associated with the termination of certain store and site leases; and (iv) $20.5 million gain related to OfficeMax’s investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C., primarily attributable to the sale of a majority interest in its paper and packaging and newsprint businesses.

SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following selected unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data gives effect to the OfficeMax special dividend and the proposed transactions (collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “pro forma events”) as if they had occurred on March 30, 2013 while the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations data for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and the year ended December 29, 2012 is presented as if the pro forma events had occurred on January 1, 2012.

The following selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial information has been prepared for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the pro forma events occurred as of the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected because of various factors, including those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 39. The following selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” and related notes included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus beginning on page 170.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

As of March 30, 2013

(in thousands)


	Historical Office Depot		Historical OfficeMax		Pro Forma Adjustment for the OfficeMax Special Dividend			Pro Forma for the OfficeMax Special Dividend		Pro Forma Adjustments for the Transactions			Pro Forma Combined
Total assets	$	3,791,647	$	3,624,411	$	(130,565	)	$	7,285,493	$	(373,946	)	$	6,911,547
Long-term debt, net of current maturities		479,820		226,552		—			706,372		(2,954	)		703,418
Non-recourse debt		—		735,000		—			735,000		157,420			892,420
Total liabilities		2,769,627		2,481,803		—			5,251,430		14,434			5,265,864
Total equity		635,619		1,093,448		(130,565	)		1,598,502		(1,979	)		1,596,523
Total liabilities and equity	$	3,791,647	$	3,624,411	$	(130,565	)	$	7,285,493	$	(373,946	)	$	6,911,547

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Consolidated Statement of Operations Data

For the Three Months Ended March 30, 2013

(in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Historical Office Depot			Historical OfficeMax		Pro Forma Adjustments		Pro Forma Combined
Sales	$	2,718,260		$	1,766,729	$	3,580	$	4,488,569
Operating income (loss)		9,645			101,897		25,690		137,232
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(16,824	)	$	56,335	$	35,170	$	74,681
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.06	)	$	0.65			$	0.14
Diluted	$	(0.06	)	$	0.64			$	0.14

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Consolidated Statement of Operations Data

For the Year Ended December 29, 2012

(in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Historical Office Depot			Historical OfficeMax		Pro Forma Adjustments		Pro Forma Combined
Sales	$	10,695,652		$	6,920,384	$	23,547	$	17,639,583
Operating income (loss)		(30,841	)		24,278		14,982		8,419
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(110,045	)	$	414,694	$	45,556	$	350,205
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.39	)	$	4.79			$	0.67
Diluted	$	(0.39	)	$	4.74			$	0.66

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE INFORMATION

The following table summarizes unaudited per share data for (i) Office Depot and OfficeMax on a historical basis for the three months ended March 30, 2013 and the year ended December 29, 2012, (ii) Office Depot on a pro forma combined basis giving effect to the OfficeMax special dividend and the transactions (collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “pro forma events”) and (iii) OfficeMax on a pro forma equivalent basis based on the exchange ratio of 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock for each share of OfficeMax common stock. It has been assumed for purposes of the pro forma combined financial information provided below that the pro forma events occurred on January 1, 2012 for earnings per share purposes and on March 30, 2013 for book value per share purposes. The historical earnings per share information should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Office Depot and OfficeMax incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 219. The unaudited pro forma combined earnings per share information is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” and related notes included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus beginning on page 170. The pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the pro forma events had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future operating results or financial position of the combined company.


	Office Depot					OfficeMax
	Historical			Pro Forma Combined		Historical		Pro Forma Equivalent⁽¹⁾
Three Months Ended March 30, 2013
Basic earnings (loss) per share⁽²⁾	$	(0.06)		$	0.14	$	0.65	$	0.38
Diluted earnings (loss) per share⁽²⁾	$	(0.06)		$	0.14	$	0.64	$	0.38
Book value per share⁽³⁾	$	2.22		$	3.03	$	12.57	$	8.15
Year Ended December 29, 2012
Basic earnings (loss) per share⁽²⁾	$	(0.39	)	$	0.67	$	4.79	$	1.81
Diluted earnings (loss) per share⁽²⁾	$	(0.39	)	$	0.66	$	4.74	$	1.78
Book value per share⁽³⁾	$	2.31		$	3.35	$	11.91	$	9.00

(1)

The pro forma equivalent share amounts were calculated by multiplying the pro forma combined per share amounts by the exchange ratio of 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock per share of OfficeMax common stock. This information shows how each share of OfficeMax common stock would have participated in the combined company’s earnings (loss) from continuing operations and book value if the pro forma events had occurred on the relevant dates.

(2)	The pro forma earnings (loss) per share of the combined company are calculated by dividing the pro forma income (loss) by the pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding.

(3)

Historical book value per share is computed by dividing total stockholders’ equity by the number of shares of Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock, as applicable, outstanding as of March 30, 2013. Pro forma combined book value per share is computed by dividing pro forma common stockholders’ equity by the pro forma number of shares of Office Depot common stock that would have been outstanding as of March 30, 2013.

COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICE DATA AND DIVIDENDS

Stock Prices

Office Depot’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ODP.” OfficeMax’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “OMX.” The following table sets forth the closing sales prices per share of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock, on an actual and equivalent per share basis, on the NYSE on the following dates:

•

February 15, 2013, the last full trading day before the publication of press reports regarding a potential merger,

•

February 19, 2013, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger, and

•

[—], the last trading day for which this information could be calculated before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.


	Office Depot Common Stock		OfficeMax Common Stock		Office Depot Equivalent Per Share⁽¹⁾
February 15, 2013	$	4.59	$	10.75	$	12.35
February 19, 2013	$	5.02	$	13.00	$	13.50
[—]	$	[—]	$	[—]	$	[—]

(1)	The equivalent per share data for Office Depot common stock has been determined by multiplying the market price of one share of Office Depot common stock on each of the dates by the exchange ratio of 2.69.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock as reported on the NYSE.

Office Depot Common Stock


	Office Depot
	Price Range
	High		Low		Cash Dividends
Fiscal Year ending December 28, 2013
Second Quarter (through [—], 2013)	$	[—]	$	[—]
First Quarter	$	5.02	$	3.28
Fiscal Year ended December 29, 2012
Fourth Quarter	$	3.62	$	2.24
Third Quarter	$	2.85	$	1.51
Second Quarter	$	3.50	$	1.98
First Quarter	$	3.81	$	2.08
Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2011
Fourth Quarter	$	2.58	$	1.80
Third Quarter	$	4.42	$	2.05
Second Quarter	$	4.74	$	3.33
First Quarter	$	6.10	$	4.77

OfficeMax Common Stock


	OfficeMax
	Price Range
	High		Low		Cash Dividends
Fiscal Year ending December 28, 2013
Second Quarter (through [—], 2013)	$	[—]	$	[—]	$	0.02
First Quarter	$	13.00	$	9.58	$	0.02
Fiscal Year ended December 29, 2012
Fourth Quarter	$	10.62	$	7.04	$	0.02
Third Quarter	$	8.33	$	4.20	$	0.02
Second Quarter	$	5.95	$	4.10
First Quarter	$	6.33	$	4.46
Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2011
Fourth Quarter	$	5.93	$	3.90
Third Quarter	$	8.82	$	4.46
Second Quarter	$	14.36	$	6.05
First Quarter	$	18.95	$	12.24

As of [—], 2013, the last date before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for which it was practicable to obtain this information, there were [—] shares of Office Depot common stock outstanding and approximately [—] holders of record of Office Depot common stock, and [—] shares of OfficeMax common stock outstanding and approximately [—] holders of record of OfficeMax common stock.

Because the exchange ratio will not be adjusted for changes in the market price of either Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock, the market value of the shares of Office Depot common stock that holders of OfficeMax common stock will have the right to receive on the date the transactions are completed may vary significantly from the market value of the shares of Office Depot common stock that holders of OfficeMax common stock would receive if the transactions were completed on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. As a result, you should obtain recent market prices of OfficeMax common stock and Office Depot common stock prior to voting your shares. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Transactions” beginning on page 39.

Dividends

OfficeMax suspended its dividends to holders of common stock on December 18, 2008. In the third quarter of 2012, OfficeMax reinstated the payment of quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, given progress in executing its strategic plan to achieve sustainable, profitable growth. The quarterly dividends are expected to be $0.02 per share of OfficeMax common stock, or $0.08 per share of OfficeMax common stock on an annualized basis. During 2012, OfficeMax paid $3.5 million in common stock dividends. On April 30, 2013, OfficeMax declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share of its common stock, payable on May 31, 2013.

Office Depot has never declared or paid cash dividends on its common stock.

Under the merger agreement, neither party may authorize, declare or pay any dividend on its respective outstanding shares of common stock prior to completion of the transactions, except, in the case of OfficeMax, for regular quarterly cash dividends and a distribution by OfficeMax to holders of its common stock of $1.50 per share of OfficeMax common stock, not to exceed $131 million in the aggregate. On May 6, 2013, OfficeMax declared a special non-recurring dividend of $1.50 per share of its common stock, payable on July 2, 2013, which OfficeMax expects to total approximately $131 million (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “OfficeMax special dividend”).

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This joint proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not limited to historical facts but reflect Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “pursue,” “will,” “should,” “target,” and other similar words, phrases or expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and other anticipated financial impacts of the transactions; future financial and operating results of the combined company; the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations and services; required approvals of the transactions by the Office Depot stockholders and OfficeMax stockholders and by governmental regulatory authorities; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed transactions; and the timing of the completion of the transactions.

All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Office Depot and OfficeMax and difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties also include those set forth under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 39, as well as, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to:

•

the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or the failure to satisfy the closing conditions;

•

the possibility that the consummation of the proposed transactions is delayed or does not occur, including due to the failure to obtain the required approvals of the Office Depot stockholders and OfficeMax stockholders;

•

the ability to obtain the regulatory approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and the timing and conditions for such approvals;

•

the taking of governmental action (including the passage of legislation) to block the transactions or otherwise adversely affecting Office Depot and OfficeMax;

•

the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted against Office Depot, OfficeMax or others following announcement of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

•

the possibility that the expected synergies from the transactions will not be realized or will take longer to realize than expected;

•

the ability to successfully integrate the businesses of Office Depot and OfficeMax, unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities that may arise from the transactions, whether or not consummated;

•

the disruption from the transactions making it more difficult for Office Depot and OfficeMax to maintain relationships with their respective customers, employees or suppliers;

•

the inability of Office Depot and OfficeMax to retain key personnel; and

•

the impact of global economic conditions, fluctuations in exchange rates, labor relations, competitive actions taken by other office solutions businesses or other competitors, terrorist attacks or natural disasters.

In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed in the section entitled “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 37, you should carefully consider the following risk factors before deciding whether to vote for the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the first merger and the second merger, in the case of OfficeMax stockholders, or for the proposal to approve the Office Depot share issuance, in the case of Office Depot stockholders. In addition, you should read and consider the risks associated with each of the businesses of OfficeMax and Office Depot because these risks will relate to the combined company following the completion of the transactions. Descriptions of some of these risks can be found in the Annual Reports of OfficeMax and Office Depot on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, and any amendments thereto for each of OfficeMax and Office Depot, as such risks may be updated or supplemented in each company’s subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should also consider the other information in this document and the other documents incorporated by reference into this document. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219.

The transactions are subject to conditions, including certain conditions that may not be satisfied, or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Failure to complete the transactions could have material and adverse effects on Office Depot and OfficeMax.

The completion of the transactions is subject to a number of conditions, including the approval by the Office Depot stockholders of the Office Depot share issuance and the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the first merger and the second merger by the OfficeMax stockholders, which make the completion and timing of the completion of the transactions uncertain. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Transactions,” beginning on page 147, for a more detailed discussion. Also, either Office Depot or OfficeMax may terminate the merger agreement if the transactions have not been consummated by December 31, 2013 or, if the only conditions to closing that have not been satisfied or waived by that date are those related to antitrust approvals, consents or clearances or an outstanding judgment, injunction, order or decree of a competent United States federal or state governmental authority prohibiting or enjoining the transactions, April 30, 2014, except that this right to terminate the merger agreement will not be available to any party whose failure to perform any covenant or obligation under the merger agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the transactions to be consummated on or before that date.

If the transactions are not completed on a timely basis, or at all, Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s respective ongoing businesses may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the transactions, Office Depot and OfficeMax will be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

The merger agreement contains provisions that limit each party’s ability to pursue alternatives to the transactions, could discourage a potential competing acquiror of either Office Depot or OfficeMax from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in specified circumstances, could require either party to pay a termination fee of $30 million to the other party.

The merger agreement contains certain provisions that restrict each of Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s ability to initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or, subject to certain exceptions, engage in discussions or negotiations with respect to, or approve or recommend, any third-party proposal for an alternative transaction. Further, even if the Office Depot board of directors withdraws or qualifies its recommendation with respect to the Office Depot share issuance or if the OfficeMax board of directors withdraws or qualifies its recommendation with respect to the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the first merger and the second merger, unless the merger agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, Office Depot or OfficeMax, as the case may be, will still be required to submit each of their merger-related proposals to a vote at their special meeting of stockholders. In addition, the other party generally has an opportunity to offer to modify the terms of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement in response to any third-party alternative transaction proposal before the board of directors of the company that has received a third-party alternative transaction proposal may withdraw or qualify its recommendation with respect to the merger-related proposal. In some circumstances, upon termination of the merger agreement, a party will be required to pay a termination fee of $30 million to the other party. See the sections entitled “The Merger Agreement—No Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals” beginning on page 150, “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” beginning on page 157 and “The Merger Agreement—Expenses and Termination Fee” beginning on page 159.

These provisions could discourage a potential third-party acquiror or merger partner that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of Office Depot or OfficeMax or pursuing an alternative transaction from considering or proposing such a transaction, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share cash or market value than the per share cash or market value proposed to be received or realized in the transactions or might result in a potential third-party acquiror or merger partner proposing to pay a lower price to the stockholders of Office Depot or OfficeMax than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the $30 million termination fee that may become payable in certain circumstances.

If the merger agreement is terminated and either Office Depot or OfficeMax determines to seek another business combination, Office Depot or OfficeMax, as applicable, may not be able to negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of the transactions.

OfficeMax’s and Office Depot’s executive officers and directors have interests in the transactions that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of OfficeMax and Office Depot stockholders generally. The executive officers of OfficeMax and Office Depot have arrangements with OfficeMax or Office Depot, as applicable, that provide for severance, accelerated vesting of certain rights and other benefits if their employment is terminated under certain circumstances following the completion of the transactions. In addition, certain of OfficeMax’s and Office Depot’s compensation and benefit plans and arrangements provide for payment or accelerated vesting or distribution of certain rights or benefits upon completion of the transactions. Executive officers and directors of OfficeMax also have rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that will survive completion of the transactions.

The merger agreement contains certain provisions relating to the governance of the combined company following completion of the transactions, which reflect the merger of equals structure of the proposed business

combination. Completion of the transactions is subject to the conditions described under “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Transactions” beginning on page 147, including the adoption by Office Depot, as of the closing, of the amended and restated bylaws to implement certain governance matters for a four-year period following completion of the transactions.

The board of directors of the combined company and its committees will have equal representation from both parties as of the closing. As of the closing, the then-current chief executive officers of Office Depot and OfficeMax will be appointed as co-chief executive officers of the combined company and the board of directors will have co-chairpersons and co-lead outside directors designated by the parties, unless and until the successor CEO has been appointed. A selection committee consisting of an equal number of independent directors of each party will identify successor CEO candidates. Office Depot has designated Nigel Travis, Marsha J. Evans and Thomas J. Colligan and OfficeMax has designated V. James Marino, Rakesh Gangwal and Francesca Ruiz de Luzuriaga as members of the selection committee with Messrs. Travis and Marino serving as co-chairpersons. The selection committee will also consider the then-current chief executive officers of Office Depot and OfficeMax as successor CEO candidates. The amended and restated bylaws will provide for the rotation of the selection of the chairperson and lead outside director. In addition, as of the closing, the officers for the combined company will be appointed by the newly constituted board of directors from among the officers of both parties.

As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, neither OfficeMax nor Office Depot has made a determination as to which independent directors to appoint to the board of directors of the combined company.

The OfficeMax and Office Depot boards of directors were aware of these interests at the time each approved the merger agreement, the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. These interests may cause OfficeMax’s and Office Depot’s directors and executive officers to view the proposed transactions differently and more favorably than you may view them. These interests are described in greater detail in the sections entitled “The Transactions—Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 123, “The Transactions—Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 129, and “The Transactions—Board of Directors and Management of the Combined Company Following Completion of the Transactions” beginning on page 134.

Each party is subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the proposed transactions are pending, which could adversely affect each party’s business and operations.

In connection with the pendency of the transactions, it is possible that some customers, suppliers and other persons with whom Office Depot or OfficeMax has a business relationship may delay or defer certain business decisions or might decide to seek to terminate, change or renegotiate their relationships with Office Depot or OfficeMax, as the case may be, as a result of the transactions, which could negatively affect Office Depot’s or OfficeMax’s respective revenues, earnings and cash flows, as well as the market price of Office Depot’s or OfficeMax’s common stock, regardless of whether the transactions are completed.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each of Office Depot or OfficeMax is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to completing the transactions, which may adversely affect its ability to execute certain of its business strategies, including the ability in certain cases to enter into contracts, acquire or dispose of assets, incur indebtedness or incur capital expenditures. Such limitations could negatively affect each party’s businesses and operations prior to the completion of the transactions.

Because the exchange ratio is fixed and the market price of Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s common stock may fluctuate, OfficeMax stockholders cannot be sure of the value of the Office Depot common stock they will receive on the closing date.

Upon completion of the transactions, each share of OfficeMax common stock will be converted into the right to receive 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock. If applicable, the exchange ratio will be adjusted

appropriately to fully reflect the effect of any stock dividend or other stock distribution, stock split, reclassification, combination or other change with respect to the shares of either Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock prior to the completion of the second merger. The exchange ratio will not, however, be adjusted for changes in the market price of either Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock between the date of signing the merger agreement and completion of the transactions. Accordingly, the value of Office Depot common stock that OfficeMax stockholders will receive on the closing date will depend upon the market price of Office Depot common stock on the closing date. As a result, changes in the price of Office Depot common stock prior to the closing date will affect the value of Office Depot common stock that OfficeMax stockholders will receive on the closing date.

The prices of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock and, as a result, the value of Office Depot common stock that OfficeMax stockholders will receive pursuant to the merger agreement, may fluctuate from the date the merger agreement was executed through the date of the closing of the transactions. For example, based on the range of closing prices of Office Depot common stock during the period from February 15, 2013, the last full trading day before the publication of press reports regarding a potential merger, through [—], the latest practicable trading date before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the exchange ratio represented a value ranging from a high of $[—] to a low of $[—] for each share of OfficeMax common stock. Accordingly, at the time of the Office Depot special meeting and the OfficeMax special meeting, OfficeMax stockholders will not know or be able to determine the value of Office Depot common stock they may receive upon completion of the transactions. For that reason, the market prices of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock on the date of the Office Depot special meeting and the OfficeMax special meeting may not be indicative of the value of Office Depot common stock that OfficeMax stockholders will receive upon completion of the transactions.

The market prices of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock are subject to general price fluctuations in the market for publicly traded equity securities and have experienced volatility in the past. Neither Office Depot nor OfficeMax is permitted to terminate the merger agreement or re-solicit the vote of Office Depot stockholders or OfficeMax stockholders, as applicable, solely because of changes in the market prices of either company’s common stock. As described above, the exchange ratio will not be adjusted for changes in the market price of either Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock between the date of signing the merger agreement and completion of the transactions. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including general market and economic conditions and changes in the respective businesses, operations and prospects, and regulatory considerations of Office Depot and OfficeMax. Market assessments of the benefits of the proposed business combination and the likelihood that the transactions will be completed, as well as general and industry-specific market and economic conditions, may also impact market prices of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock. Many of these factors are beyond Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s control. OfficeMax stockholders should obtain current market quotations for shares of Office Depot common stock and for shares of OfficeMax common stock.

The transactions are subject to the expiration of applicable waiting periods and the receipt of approvals, consents or clearances from domestic and foreign regulatory authorities that may impose conditions that could have an adverse effect on Office Depot, OfficeMax or the combined company or, if not obtained, could prevent completion of the transactions.

Before the transactions may be completed, any waiting period (or extension thereof) applicable to the transactions must have expired or been terminated, and any approvals, consents or clearances required in connection with the transactions must have been obtained, in each case, under the HSR Act, the CAC and the FLEC. In addition, the transactions may be reviewed under antitrust statutes of other governmental authorities, including U.S. state laws. In deciding whether to grant the required regulatory approval, consent or clearance, the relevant governmental entities will consider the effect of the transactions on competition within their relevant jurisdiction. The terms and conditions of the approvals, consents and clearances that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business.

Under the merger agreement, OfficeMax and Office Depot have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain such approvals, consents and clearances and therefore may be required to comply with conditions or limitations imposed by governmental authorities, except to the extent that such condition or limitation would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect after the closing of the transactions on the combined businesses of Office Depot and OfficeMax and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole, including the overall benefits expected, as of the date of the merger agreement, to be derived by the parties from the combination of Office Depot and OfficeMax via the transactions. There can be no assurance that regulators will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying completion of the transactions or imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the completion of the transactions. In addition, neither OfficeMax nor Office Depot can provide assurance that any such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the transactions. For a more detailed description of the regulatory review process, see the section entitled “The Transactions—Regulatory Approvals” beginning on page 138.

Any delay in completing the transactions may reduce or eliminate the benefits expected to be achieved thereunder.

In addition to the required regulatory approvals, consents and clearances, the completion of the transactions is subject to a number of other conditions beyond Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s control that may prevent, delay or otherwise materially adversely affect such completion. Office Depot and OfficeMax cannot predict whether and when these other conditions will be satisfied. Furthermore, the requirements for obtaining the required approvals, consents and clearances could delay the completion of the transactions for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the transactions could cause the combined company not to realize some or all of the synergies that we expect to achieve if the transactions are successfully completed within the expected time frame. See “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Transactions” beginning on page 147.

Uncertainties associated with the transactions may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees which could adversely affect the future business and operations of the combined company.

Office Depot and OfficeMax are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of their officers and other key employees to execute their business plans. The combined company’s success after the completion of the transactions will depend in part upon the ability of Office Depot and OfficeMax to retain key management personnel and other key employees. Current and prospective employees of Office Depot and OfficeMax may experience uncertainty about their roles within the combined company following the completion of the transactions, which may have an adverse effect on the ability of each of Office Depot and OfficeMax to attract or retain key management and other key personnel. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the combined company will be able to attract or retain key management personnel and other key employees of Office Depot and OfficeMax to the same extent that Office Depot and OfficeMax have previously been able to attract or retain their own employees.

Litigation filed against OfficeMax, Office Depot and the OfficeMax board of directors could prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions or result in the payment of damages following completion of the transactions.

In connection with the transactions, purported stockholders of OfficeMax have filed putative stockholder class action lawsuits against OfficeMax, Office Depot and the OfficeMax board of directors, among others. Among other remedies, the plaintiffs seek to enjoin the transactions. The outcome of any such litigation is uncertain. If a dismissal is not granted or a settlement is not reached, these lawsuits could prevent or delay completion of the transactions and result in substantial costs to OfficeMax and Office Depot, including any costs associated with indemnification. Additional lawsuits may be filed against OfficeMax, Office Depot or the directors and officers of either company in connection with the transactions. The defense or settlement of any

lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the transactions are consummated may adversely affect the combined company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See “The Transactions—Litigation Related to the Transactions” beginning on page 144 for more information about the lawsuits that have been filed related to the transactions.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be reflective of the operating results and financial condition of the combined company following completion of the transactions.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the transactions been completed on the dates indicated. Further, the combined company’s actual results and financial position after the transactions may differ materially and adversely from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data that is included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared with the expectation, as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, that Office Depot will be identified as the acquirer under GAAP and reflects adjustments based upon preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets to be acquired and liabilities to be assumed. The final acquisition accounting will be based upon the actual purchase price and the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the party that is determined to be the acquiree under GAAP as of the date of the completion of the transactions. In addition, subsequent to the closing date, there will be further refinements of the acquisition accounting as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the final acquisition accounting may differ materially from the pro forma condensed combined financial information reflected in this document. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 170 for more information.

Completion of the transactions may trigger change in control or other provisions in certain agreements to which OfficeMax is a party.

The completion of the transactions may trigger change in control or other provisions in certain agreements to which OfficeMax is a party. If Office Depot and OfficeMax are unable to negotiate waivers of those provisions, the counterparties may exercise their rights and remedies under the agreements, potentially terminating the agreements or seeking monetary damages. Even if Office Depot and OfficeMax are able to negotiate waivers, the counterparties may require a fee for such waivers or seek to renegotiate the agreements on terms less favorable to OfficeMax or the combined company.

The combined company may be unable to successfully integrate the businesses of Office Depot and OfficeMax and realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions.

The transactions involve the combination of two companies that currently operate as independent public companies. The combined company will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating the business practices and operations of Office Depot and OfficeMax. Potential difficulties the combined company may encounter as part of the integration process include the following:

In addition, Office Depot and OfficeMax have operated and, until the completion of the transactions, will continue to operate independently and may not begin the actual integration process. Although the parties are conducting an integration planning process as permitted by legal restrictions, this process could result in:

any of which could adversely affect each company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other constituencies or Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transactions or could reduce each company’s earnings or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the combined company.

Office Depot stockholders and OfficeMax stockholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the transactions and will exercise less influence over management.

Office Depot stockholders presently have the right to vote in the election of Office Depot’s board of directors and on other matters affecting Office Depot. OfficeMax stockholders presently have the right to vote in the election of OfficeMax’s board of directors and on other matters affecting OfficeMax. Immediately after the transactions are completed, it is expected that current Office Depot stockholders will own approximately [—]% of the combined company’s common stock outstanding and current OfficeMax stockholders will own approximately [—]% of the combined company’s common stock outstanding, respectively (assuming redemption of all outstanding shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock).

As a result, current Office Depot stockholders and current OfficeMax stockholders will have less influence on the management and policies of the combined company than they now have on the management and policies of Office Depot and OfficeMax, respectively.

The market price of the combined company’s common stock may be volatile, and holders of the combined company’s common stock could lose a significant portion of their investment due to drops in the market price of the combined company’s common stock following completion of the transactions.

The market price of the combined company’s common stock may be volatile, and following completion of the transactions stockholders may not be able to resell their Office Depot common stock at or above the price at which they acquired the common stock pursuant to the merger agreement or otherwise due to fluctuations in its market price, including changes in price caused by factors unrelated to the combined company’s operating performance or prospects.

Specific factors that may have a significant effect on the market price for the combined company’s common stock include, among others, the following:

The market price of the combined company’s common stock may be affected by factors different from those affecting the price of Office Depot or OfficeMax common stock.

Upon completion of the transactions, holders of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock will become holders of common stock in the combined company. As the businesses of Office Depot and OfficeMax are different, the results of operations as well as the price of the combined company’s common stock may in the future be affected by factors different from those factors affecting Office Depot and OfficeMax as independent stand-alone companies. The combined company will face additional risks and uncertainties that Office Depot or OfficeMax may currently not be exposed to as independent companies.

The future results of the combined company will suffer if the combined company does not effectively manage its expanded operations following the completion of the transactions.

Following the completion of the transactions, the size of the business of the combined company will increase significantly beyond the current size of either Office Depot’s or OfficeMax’s business. The combined company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to manage this expanded business, which will pose substantial challenges for management, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new operations and associated increased costs and complexity. There can be no assurances that the combined company will be successful or that it will realize the expected operating efficiencies, cost savings and other benefits currently anticipated from the transactions.

The combined company is expected to incur substantial expenses related to the completion of the transactions and the integration of Office Depot and OfficeMax.

The combined company is expected to incur substantial expenses in connection with the completion of the transactions and the integration of Office Depot and OfficeMax. There are a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be integrated, including purchasing, accounting and finance, sales, payroll, pricing, revenue management, marketing and benefits. In addition, if the board of directors has not approved the name and the headquarters of the combined company prior to completion of the transactions, the businesses of Office Depot and OfficeMax will continue to operate under their existing names and the combined company will have dual headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida and Naperville, Illinois until

otherwise determined. While Office Depot and OfficeMax have assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred, there are many factors beyond their control that could affect the total amount or the timing of the integration expenses. Moreover, many of the expenses that will be incurred are, by their nature, difficult to estimate accurately. These expenses could, particularly in the near term, exceed the savings that the combined company expects to achieve from the elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale and cost savings. These integration expenses likely will result in the combined company taking significant charges against earnings following the completion of the transactions, and the amount and timing of such charges are uncertain at present.

Following the completion of the transactions, the combined company may need to launch branding or rebranding initiatives that may involve substantial costs and may not be favorably received by customers.

Following completion of the transactions, the business of OfficeMax and the business of Office Depot will continue to operate under their existing names until the board of directors approves a new name of the combined businesses of OfficeMax and Office Depot. As a result, in connection with the approval of a new name the combined company may incur substantial costs in rebranding its products and services, and the combined company may not be able to achieve or maintain brand name recognition or status under the new combined company brand that is comparable to the recognition and status previously enjoyed by Office Depot and OfficeMax separately. The failure of any such rebranding initiative could adversely affect the combined company’s ability to attract and retain customers after the completion of the transactions, which could cause the combined company not to realize some or all of the benefits contemplated by Office Depot and OfficeMax to result from the completion of the transactions.

Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s businesses are and will be subject to the risks described above. In addition, Office Depot and OfficeMax are, and will continue to be subject to the risks described in Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The risks described above and in those filings represent all known material risks with respect to Office Depot’s and OfficeMax’s businesses. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219 for the location of information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

Office Depot, Inc., a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Office Depot,” is a global supplier of office products and services. Office Depot provides office supplies and services through 1,629 worldwide retail stores (including retail stores wholly-owned and operated by Office Depot, retail stores operated by Office Depot de México, S.A. de C.V., Office Depot’s Mexican joint venture, and retail stores operated under Office Depot’s franchise and licensing agreements), a field sales force, top-rated catalogs and global e-commerce operations. Sales are processed through multiple channels, consisting of office supply stores, a contract sales force, an outbound telephone account management sales force, Internet sites, direct marketing catalogs and call centers, all supported by a network of supply chain facilities and delivery operations. Office Depot employs about 38,000 associates and serves customers in 59 countries worldwide.

Shares of Office Depot common stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “ODP.”

The principal executive offices of Office Depot are located at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496, and its telephone number is (561) 438-4800. Additional information about Office Depot and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 219.

Shares of OfficeMax common stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “OMX.”

The principal executive offices of OfficeMax are located at 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, and its telephone number is (630) 438-7800. Additional information about OfficeMax and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 219.

Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “New OfficeMax,” is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of OfficeMax. Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation was formed by OfficeMax solely in contemplation of the transactions, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or other obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. Its principal executive offices are located at c/o OfficeMax Incorporated, 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, and its telephone number is (630) 438-7800.

Mapleby Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Merger Sub One,” is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of OfficeMax. Mapleby Merger Corporation was formed by OfficeMax solely in contemplation of the transactions, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or other obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. Its principal executive offices are located at c/o OfficeMax Incorporated, 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, and its telephone number is (630) 438-7800.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to Office Depot stockholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of Office Depot for use at the special meeting of Office Depot stockholders and at any adjournments or postponements of such special meeting. This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides Office Depot stockholders with important information about the special meeting of Office Depot stockholders and should be read carefully in its entirety.

The Office Depot special meeting will be held on [—], 2013, beginning at [—] [—].m., local time, at [—], unless postponed to a later date.

The special meeting of Office Depot stockholders is being held to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

The board of directors of Office Depot recommends that the Office Depot stockholders vote:

In considering the recommendation of Office Depot’s board of directors with respect to the Office Depot share issuance, Office Depot stockholders should be aware that some of Office Depot’s directors and executive officers may have interests that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Office Depot stockholders more generally. See “The Transactions—Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 123.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains important information regarding these proposals and factors that Office Depot stockholders should consider when deciding how to cast their votes. Office Depot stockholders are encouraged to read the entire document carefully, including the annexes to and documents incorporated by reference into this document, for more detailed information regarding the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance.

Only Office Depot stockholders of record as of the record date, beneficial owners as of the record date, holders of valid proxies for the special meeting and invited guests of Office Depot may attend the special meeting.

All attendees should be prepared to present government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) for admittance. The additional items, if any, that attendees must bring depend on whether they are stockholders of record, beneficial owners or proxy holders.

No cameras, recording equipment or other electronic devices will be allowed in the meeting room. Failure to provide the requested documents at the door or failure to comply with the procedures for the special meeting may prevent stockholders from being admitted to the Office Depot special meeting.

Office Depot is able to provide reasonable assistance to help persons with disabilities participate in the special meeting if Office Depot is notified in advance of requested accommodations. Please write to Office Depot’s principal executive offices at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Office Depot special meeting is May 28, 2013. Only Office Depot stockholders who held shares of record at the close of business on May 28, 2013 are entitled to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, so long as such shares remain outstanding on the date of the special meeting.

by BC Partners. Each share of Office Depot common stock entitles its holder of record to one vote at the Office Depot special meeting. As of the record date, the 350,000 shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding entitle BC Partners as the record holder to a total of 81,354,536 votes (on an as-converted basis) at the Office Depot special meeting. Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock are the only classes of stock entitled to vote, and holders of Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote on each proposal presented at the Office Depot special meeting.

A complete list of registered Office Depot stockholders entitled to vote at the Office Depot special meeting will be available for inspection at the principal place of business of Office Depot at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496 during regular business hours for a period of no less than 10 days before the special meeting and at the place of the Office Depot special meeting during the meeting.

As of the record date, Office Depot directors and executive officers, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote [—] shares of Office Depot common stock, or approximately [—]% of the outstanding shares of Office Depot common stock. Office Depot currently expects that these directors and executive officers will vote their shares in favor of the proposal to approve the Office Depot share issuance, although none of them has entered into any agreement obligating them to do so.

Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, Office Depot and OfficeMax entered into a voting agreement (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “voting agreement”) with BC Partners, pursuant to which BC Partners agreed, among other matters, to vote all of their shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock, together with any other voting securities of Office Depot acquired by BC Partners after February 20, 2013, in favor of the Office Depot share issuance and the other actions contemplated by the merger agreement and against any alternative transaction proposal with respect to Office Depot. These obligations will be suspended if Office Depot’s board of directors effects a change of recommendation with respect to the transactions, including by withdrawing its recommendation to Office Depot’s stockholders to approve the Office Depot share issuance, approving or recommending, or publicly proposing to approve, an alternative transaction proposal with respect to Office Depot or failing to recommend against the acceptance of a tender or exchange offer for any of Office Depot’s capital stock by Office Depot’s stockholders. The voting agreement will terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the transactions, (ii) certain amendments to the merger agreement or waivers by Office Depot under the merger agreement that adversely affect BC Partners without BC Partners’ consent, including any amendment or waiver that increases the exchange ratio or otherwise provides additional consideration to OfficeMax’s stockholders in exchange for their shares of OfficeMax common stock and (iii) the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms. As of the record date, BC Partners held 274,596 shares of the 10.00% Series A Redeemable Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock and 75,404 shares of the 10.00% Series B Redeemable Conditional Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01, representing together, on an as-converted basis, approximately [—]% of the voting power of Office Depot.

In order for business to be conducted at the special meeting, a quorum must be present. A quorum requires the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) entitled to vote at the special meeting. For purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, all shares that are present, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will count towards the quorum. Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner holding shares in “street name” does not instruct the broker, bank or other nominee that is the record owner of such stockholder’s shares on how to vote those shares on a particular proposal.

Proposal 1. The affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the votes cast on Proposal 1 by holders of shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock and Office Depot common stock, voting as a single class, is required to approve the Office Depot share issuance; provided that the total votes cast on Proposal 1 represents over 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) and Office Depot common stock entitled to vote on Proposal 1. The required vote on Proposal 1 is based on the number of shares voted—not the number of shares outstanding. Under the NYSE rules, abstentions are treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention from voting by an Office Depot stockholder will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 1. The failure of any Office Depot stockholder to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person) will not be counted in determining the votes cast in connection with Proposal 1. Because Proposal 1 is non-routine, brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 1 and will not be able to vote on Proposal 1 absent instructions from the beneficial owner. As a result, the failure of a beneficial owner to provide voting instructions to its broker, bank or other nominee will have the effect of not being counted in determining the votes cast in connection with Proposal 1. The failure of any Office Depot shareholder to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person) or failure of a beneficial owner to provide voting instructions to its broker, bank or other nominee could, however, have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 1 if the failure to submit a vote or failure of a beneficial owner to provide voting instructions to its broker, bank or other nominee results in the total number of votes cast on Proposal 1 not representing over 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) and Office Depot common stock entitled to vote on Proposal 1.

Proposal 2. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Office Depot common stock and Office Depot convertible preferred stock (on an as-converted basis) present, in person or by proxy (as counted for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum), and entitled to vote at the Office Depot special meeting, is required to approve the adjournment of the Office Depot special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Office Depot share issuance. The required vote on Proposal 2 is based on the number of shares present and entitled to vote at the Office Depot special meeting—not the number of outstanding shares. As a result, any abstention from voting by an Office Depot stockholder will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 2. The failure of any Office Depot stockholder to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person) will not be counted in determining the shares present and entitled to vote at the Office Depot special meeting. We believe that brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 2 and will not be able to vote on Proposal 2 absent instructions from the beneficial owner and that, as a result, broker non-votes will not be entitled to vote at the Office Depot special meeting. The failure to submit a vote and broker non-votes will therefore have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 2.

Office Depot stockholders as of the record date may have their shares voted by submitting a proxy or may vote in person at the special meeting by following the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. Office Depot recommends that Office Depot stockholders entitled to vote submit a proxy even if they plan to attend the special meeting.

Office Depot stockholders who hold their shares beneficially in “street name” and wish to submit a proxy must provide instructions to the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds their shares of record as to how to vote their shares with respect to Proposals 1 and 2. Office Depot stockholders who hold their shares beneficially and wish to vote in person at the special meeting must obtain proxies issued in their own names (known as a “legal proxy”).

Office Depot stockholders of record may submit a proxy in one of three ways or vote in person at the special meeting:

Office Depot stockholders are encouraged to submit a proxy promptly. Each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the special meeting according to the choice specified, if any. Executed but uninstructed proxies (i.e., proxies that are properly signed, dated and returned but are not marked to tell the proxies how to vote) will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of Office Depot’s board of directors.

Office Depot stockholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time before their shares are voted at the Office Depot special meeting in any of the following ways:

Office Depot beneficial owners may change their voting instruction only by submitting new voting instructions to the brokers, banks or other nominees that hold their shares of record.

The board of directors of Office Depot has appointed a representative of Innisfree M&A Incorporated to act as the inspector of election at the Office Depot special meeting.

Office Depot will pay for the proxy solicitation costs related to the Office Depot special meeting, except that Office Depot and OfficeMax will share equally the expenses incurred in connection with the filing, printing and mailing of the registration statement on Form S-4 and this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition to sending and making available these materials, some of Office Depot’s directors, officers and other employees may solicit proxies by contacting Office Depot stockholders by telephone, by mail, by e-mail or in person. Office Depot stockholders may also be solicited by press releases issued by Office Depot and/or OfficeMax, postings on Office Depot’s or OfficeMax’s websites and advertisements in periodicals. None of Office Depot’s directors, officers or employees will receive any extra compensation for their solicitation services. Office Depot has also retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of approximately $20,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Office Depot will also reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for their expenses in sending proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of Office Depot common stock and obtaining their proxies.

The Office Depot special meeting may be adjourned in the absence of a quorum by the chairman of the meeting or the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Office Depot shares present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote at the special meeting.

Even if a quorum is present, the Office Depot special meeting could be adjourned in order to provide more time to solicit additional proxies in favor of approval of the Office Depot share issuance if sufficient votes are cast in favor of Proposal 2.

If the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is set for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the special meeting.

Office Depot stockholders may contact Office Depot’s proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, with any questions about the proposals or how to vote or to request additional copies of any materials at Innisfree M&A Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Stockholders may call toll-free at (877) 825-8621, and banks and brokers may call collect at (212) 750-5833.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to OfficeMax stockholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of OfficeMax for use at the special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders and at any adjournments or postponements of such special meeting. This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides OfficeMax stockholders with information about the special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders and should be read carefully in its entirety.

The OfficeMax special meeting will be held on [—], 2013, beginning at [—] [—].m., local time, at [—], unless postponed to a later date.

The special meeting of OfficeMax stockholders is being held to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

Section 14A of the Exchange Act, which was enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, requires that OfficeMax provide its stockholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the “golden parachute” compensation arrangements for the OfficeMax named executive officers, as disclosed in the table titled “Golden Parachute Compensation—OfficeMax” under the section entitled “The Transactions—Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 129 and the accompanying footnotes. Through Proposal 2, OfficeMax is asking its stockholders to indicate their approval of the various change of control payments and equity acceleration which OfficeMax’s named executive officers will or may be eligible to receive in connection with the proposed transactions as indicated in such table. The various plans and arrangements pursuant to which these compensation payments may be made have previously formed part of OfficeMax’s overall compensation program for its named executive officers, which has been disclosed to OfficeMax’s stockholders as required in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and related sections of OfficeMax’s annual proxy statements. OfficeMax is seeking approval of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of OfficeMax Incorporated approve, solely on an advisory, non-binding basis, the golden parachute compensation which may be paid to OfficeMax’s named executive officers in connection with the proposed transactions, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K in the table titled “Golden Parachute Compensation—OfficeMax” under the section entitled “The Transactions—Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 129 and the accompanying footnotes.”

OfficeMax stockholders should note that Proposal 2 is merely an advisory vote which will not be binding on OfficeMax, its board of directors or Office Depot. Further, the underlying plans and arrangements are contractual

in nature and not, by their terms, subject to stockholder approval. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the advisory vote, if the proposed transactions are consummated, the eligibility of the OfficeMax named executive officers for such payments and benefits will not be affected by the outcome of the advisory vote.

The board of directors of OfficeMax recommends that the OfficeMax stockholders vote:

In considering the recommendation of OfficeMax’s board of directors with respect to the merger agreement, the transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and the second merger on the terms set forth in the merger agreement, OfficeMax stockholders should be aware that some of OfficeMax’s directors and executive officers may have interests that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of OfficeMax stockholders more generally. See “The Transactions—Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions” beginning on page 129.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains important information regarding these proposals and factors that OfficeMax stockholders should consider when deciding how to cast their votes. OfficeMax stockholders are encouraged to read the entire document carefully, including the annexes to and documents incorporated by reference into this document, for more detailed information regarding the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and the second merger.

Only OfficeMax stockholders of record as of the record date, beneficial owners as of the record date, holders of valid proxies for the special meeting and invited guests of OfficeMax may attend the special meeting.

OfficeMax is able to provide reasonable assistance to help persons with disabilities participate in the special meeting if OfficeMax is notified in advance of requested accommodations. Please write to OfficeMax’s principal executive offices at 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the OfficeMax special meeting is May 28, 2013. Only OfficeMax stockholders who held shares of record at the close of business on May 28, 2013 are entitled to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, as long as such shares remain outstanding on the date of the special meeting.

As of the record date, there were [—] shares of OfficeMax common stock outstanding, held by [—] holders of record, and [—] shares of OfficeMax Series D preferred stock outstanding, held by [—] holders of record. Each share entitles its holder of record to one vote at the OfficeMax special meeting. OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock are the only classes of stock entitled to vote, and holders of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock are entitled to vote on each proposal presented at the OfficeMax special meeting.

A complete list of registered OfficeMax stockholders entitled to vote at the OfficeMax special meeting will be available for inspection at the principal place of business of OfficeMax at 263 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois 60563 during regular business hours for a period of no less than 10 days before the special meeting and at the place of the OfficeMax special meeting during the meeting.

As of the record date, OfficeMax directors and executive officers, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote [—] shares of OfficeMax common stock, or approximately [—]% of the outstanding shares of OfficeMax common stock. OfficeMax currently expects that these directors and executive officers will vote their shares in

favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger, although none of them has entered into any agreement obligating them to do so.

In order for business to be conducted at the special meeting, a quorum must be present. A quorum requires the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. For purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, all shares that are present, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will count towards the quorum. Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner holding shares in “street name” does not instruct the broker, bank or other nominee that is the record owner of such stockholder’s shares on how to vote those shares on a particular proposal.

Proposal 1. The affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock entitled to vote on Proposal 1, voting as a single class, is required to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger. The required vote on Proposal 1 is based on the number of outstanding shares—not the number of shares actually voted. The failure of any OfficeMax stockholder to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person) and any abstention from voting by an OfficeMax stockholder will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 1. Because Proposal 1 is non-routine, brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 1 and will not be able to vote on Proposal 1 absent instructions from the beneficial owner. As a result, broker non-votes will have the same effect as voting against Proposal 1.

Proposal 2. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of OfficeMax common stock and OfficeMax Series D preferred stock present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the OfficeMax special meeting (excluding, in accordance with OfficeMax’s bylaws, any shares where the holder has expressly indicated that the holder is abstaining from voting) is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to OfficeMax’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise related to the proposed transactions. The required vote on Proposal 2 is based on the number of shares present—not the number of outstanding shares. Abstentions from voting by an OfficeMax stockholder will have no effect on the outcome on Proposal 2. The failure of any OfficeMax stockholder to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person) will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 2. Brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 2 and will not be able to vote on Proposal 2 absent instructions from the beneficial owner. Because broker non-votes will count as shares of stock that are present, broker non-votes will, however, have the same effect as voting against Proposal 2. While OfficeMax’s board of directors intends to consider the vote resulting from this proposal, the vote is advisory only and therefore not binding on OfficeMax or the combined company, and, if the proposed transactions with Office Depot are approved by OfficeMax stockholders and consummated, the compensation will be payable even if Proposal 2 is not approved.

stockholder to submit a vote (i.e., not submitting a proxy and not voting in person) will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 3. Brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 3 and will not be able to vote on Proposal 3 absent instructions from the beneficial owner. Because broker non-votes will count as shares of stock that are present, broker non-votes will, however, have the same effect as voting against Proposal 3.

OfficeMax stockholders as of the record date may have their shares voted by submitting a proxy or may vote in person at the special meeting by following the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. OfficeMax recommends that OfficeMax stockholders entitled to vote submit a proxy even if they plan to attend the special meeting.

OfficeMax stockholders who hold their shares beneficially in “street name” and wish to submit a proxy must provide instructions to the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds their shares of record as to how to vote their shares with respect to Proposals 1, 2 and 3. OfficeMax stockholders who hold their shares beneficially and wish to vote in person at the special meeting must obtain proxies issued in their own names (known as a “legal proxy”).

OfficeMax stockholders of record may submit a proxy in one of three ways or vote in person at the special meeting:

OfficeMax stockholders are encouraged to submit a proxy promptly. Each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the special meeting according to the choice specified, if any. Executed but uninstructed proxies (i.e., proxies that are properly signed, dated and returned but are not marked to tell the proxies how to vote) will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of OfficeMax’s board of directors.

OfficeMax Series D preferred stock. If you are a current or former employee of OfficeMax or one of its subsidiaries and you own shares of OfficeMax Series D preferred stock in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “ESOP”) fund, you may instruct Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, the plan trustee, how to vote the shares of stock allocated to you under the ESOP by requesting a proxy card to sign, date and return or by submitting your voting instructions by telephone or through the Internet.

The plan trustee will vote any shares in the ESOP for which instructions are not received, or that are not allocated to an account, in the same proportion as shares of stock voted by the plan participants generally, subject to the trustee’s fiduciary obligations under applicable law.

OfficeMax stockholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time before their shares are voted at the OfficeMax special meeting in any of the following ways:

OfficeMax beneficial owners may change their voting instruction only by submitting new voting instructions to the brokers, banks or other nominees that hold their shares of record.

The board of directors of OfficeMax has appointed a representative of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. to act as the inspector of election at the OfficeMax special meeting.

OfficeMax will pay for the proxy solicitation costs related to the OfficeMax special meeting, except that OfficeMax and Office Depot will share equally the expenses incurred in connection with the filing, printing and mailing of the registration statement on Form S-4 and this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition to sending and making available these materials, some of OfficeMax’s directors, officers and other employees may solicit proxies by contacting OfficeMax stockholders by telephone, by mail, by e-mail or in person. OfficeMax stockholders may also be solicited by press releases issued by OfficeMax and/or Office Depot, postings on OfficeMax’s or Office Depot’s websites and advertisements in periodicals. None of OfficeMax’s directors, officers or employees will receive any extra compensation for their solicitation services. OfficeMax has also retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for approximately $25,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. OfficeMax will also reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for their expenses in sending proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of OfficeMax common stock and obtaining their proxies.

The OfficeMax special meeting may be adjourned in the absence of a quorum by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the OfficeMax shares having voting power present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting (excluding, in accordance with OfficeMax’s bylaws, any shares where the holder has expressly indicated that the holder is abstaining from voting).

Even if a quorum is present, the OfficeMax special meeting could also be adjourned in order to provide more time to solicit additional proxies in favor of adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the first merger and the second merger if sufficient votes are cast in favor of Proposal 3.

OfficeMax stockholders may contact OfficeMax’s proxy solicitor, D.F. King & Co., Inc., with any questions about the proposals or how to vote or to request additional copies of any materials at D.F. King & Co., Inc., 48 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005. Stockholders may call toll-free at (888) 605-1956, and banks and brokers may call collect at (212) 269-5550.

This section of the joint proxy statement/prospectus describes the material aspects of the proposed transactions. This section may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the full text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, for a more complete understanding of the proposed transactions. In addition, important business and financial information about each of Office Depot and OfficeMax is included in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is included in the annexes hereto. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 219.

Office Depot and OfficeMax, among others, have entered into the merger agreement, pursuant to which, through a series of transactions, OfficeMax will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot, and OfficeMax stockholders will become stockholders of Office Depot.

Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing, on the closing date, Merger Sub One will merge with and into OfficeMax (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “first merger”). OfficeMax will be the surviving corporation in the first merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of New OfficeMax. At the effective time of the first merger, each share of OfficeMax common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the first merger will be converted into one share of common stock of New OfficeMax. In addition, each of OfficeMax and New OfficeMax will take all actions as may be necessary so that at the effective time of the first merger, each OfficeMax stock option and each other OfficeMax stock-based award will, automatically and without any action on behalf of the holder thereof, be converted into a stock option or award, as the case may be, denominated in, or measured in whole or in part by the value of, shares of capital stock of New OfficeMax. All terms and conditions applicable to each such OfficeMax security immediately prior to the effective time of the first merger will, except as described in the immediately preceding sentence, remain in effect immediately after the effective time of the first merger. Immediately after the consummation of the first merger, OfficeMax will be converted into a Delaware limited liability company (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “LLC conversion”) and will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of New OfficeMax.

Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the first merger and the LLC conversion described above.

Following completion of the first merger, Merger Sub Two will, on the closing date, merge with and into New OfficeMax (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “second merger”). New OfficeMax will be the surviving corporation in the second merger and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot. At the effective time of the second merger, each share of New OfficeMax common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the second merger (excluding any shares of OfficeMax common stock held by Office Depot, Merger Sub Two or in treasury) will be converted into the right to receive 2.69 shares (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “exchange ratio”) of Office Depot common stock together with cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, pursuant to the merger agreement.

The exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted for changes in the market value of Office Depot common stock or OfficeMax common stock. Because the exchange ratio was fixed at the time the merger agreement was executed and because the market value of Office Depot common stock and OfficeMax common stock will fluctuate during the pendency of the transactions, OfficeMax stockholders cannot be sure of the value of the shares of Office Depot common stock they will receive relative to the value of their shares of OfficeMax common stock. For example, decreases in the market value of Office Depot common stock will negatively affect the value that holders of OfficeMax common stock will receive in the second merger in exchange for their OfficeMax common stock, and increases in the market value of OfficeMax common stock may mean that the shares of Office Depot common stock that holders of OfficeMax common stock will receive in the second merger will be worth less than the market value of the shares of OfficeMax common stock such stockholders are exchanging. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Transactions” on page 39.

Prior to the closing, OfficeMax will redeem each issued and outstanding share of OfficeMax Series D preferred stock for shares of OfficeMax common stock (excluding any shares of OfficeMax Series D preferred

stock surrendered by the holder for conversion) in accordance with the Certificate of Designation for the OfficeMax Series D preferred stock. The shares of OfficeMax common stock issued upon such redemption or conversion will then be converted at the effective time of the second merger into the right to receive shares of Office Depot common stock in accordance with the exchange ratio, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, pursuant to the merger agreement.

Following completion of the second merger, the New OfficeMax will, on the closing date, merge with and into Merger Sub Three (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “third merger”). Merger Sub Three will be the surviving limited liability company in the third merger and will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot. In this joint proxy statement/prospectus, we refer to the first merger, the second merger, the third merger, and the LLC conversion collectively as “the transactions.”

Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the second merger and the third merger described above.

In structuring the transactions depicted above, the parties took into account, among other things, the effect of the transactions on certain contractual obligations of Office Depot and OfficeMax, as well as the desire to preserve tax-free reorganization treatment.

In connection with the second merger, each outstanding New OfficeMax stock option will be converted into an option to purchase, on the same terms and conditions as the New OfficeMax stock option, a number of shares of Office Depot common stock that is equal to the number of shares of New OfficeMax common stock subject to the New OfficeMax stock option multiplied by the exchange ratio, at an exercise price per share of Office Depot common stock equal to the exercise price per share of New OfficeMax common stock subject to the New OfficeMax stock option divided by the exchange ratio. Each other New OfficeMax stock-based award will be converted into an award as a result of the second merger, on the same terms and conditions as the New OfficeMax stock-based award, with respect to a number of shares of Office Depot common stock that is equal to the number of shares of New OfficeMax common stock underlying such New OfficeMax stock-based award multiplied by the exchange ratio, except that any then outstanding awards that vest based on the attainment of performance goals with a performance period that has not completed prior to the closing will be converted into time-based awards that will vest at target levels at the originally scheduled vesting date, subject to any accelerated vesting upon a qualifying termination of employment in accordance with the terms of the 2003 OfficeMax Incentive and Performance Plan.

For a number of years, the boards of directors and management of OfficeMax and Office Depot have confronted growing challenges in their industry, including as a result of prevailing macroeconomic trends and increased competition from online retailers, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, and other retailers that are placing a greater emphasis on office product sales.

Each of OfficeMax and Office Depot has continually reviewed its respective business strategy and prospects for earnings enhancement and growth in the context of these challenges and has evaluated opportunities to improve its operations and financial performance in order to create value for its respective stockholders. In the past, such reviews have on occasion resulted in considering combinations with or acquisitions of other companies (including the other party to the proposed transactions and other industry participants), transactions with joint venture partners and strategic alliances.

As part of its review of potential strategic alternatives, in early April 2012, Office Depot evaluated the possibility of a potential business combination with OfficeMax. In that context, Office Depot had previously engaged Peter J. Solomon Company L.P. and Peter J. Solomon Securities Company LLC (collectively referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “PJSC”) and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Morgan Stanley”) to act as its financial advisors.

On April 11, 2012, Office Depot retained Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Simpson Thacher”) as its legal advisor in connection with the exploration of a possible transaction involving Office Depot and OfficeMax, including to assist Office Depot in connection with antitrust matters.

At a meeting held on April 25, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors, together with Michael D. Newman, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Office Depot, Elisa D. Garcia C., executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Office Depot, PJSC and Simpson Thacher analyzed and reviewed, among other matters, the potential benefits and synergies that could be realized in a combination of the businesses of Office Depot and OfficeMax. PJSC also discussed with Office Depot’s board of directors certain financial analyses relating to a potential transaction with OfficeMax. Following discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors instructed Neil Austrian, chairman and chief executive officer of Office Depot, to contact OfficeMax regarding a possible acquisition transaction in which OfficeMax stockholders would receive $5.25 in cash plus one share of Office Depot common stock for each outstanding share of OfficeMax common stock.

On April 27, 2012, Mr. Austrian contacted Ravi Saligram, president and chief executive officer of OfficeMax, by telephone to arrange a meeting to discuss a potential business combination.

On May 14, 2012, Messrs. Austrian and Saligram met in San Francisco, California. During this meeting, Messrs. Austrian and Saligram conferred regarding the potential strategic fit of the two businesses and the benefits of a potential merger in the context of structural challenges in the industry. Mr. Austrian informally discussed a possible acquisition transaction consistent with the direction of Office Depot’s board of directors, in which a number of members of the OfficeMax board of directors would join the Office Depot board of directors. On the date of the meeting, the opening price of OfficeMax common stock was $4.99 per share and the opening price of Office Depot common stock was $2.27 per share.

On June 7, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically to discuss the May 14, 2012 meeting between Messrs. Austrian and Saligram. Mr. Saligram summarized his meeting with Mr. Austrian, including Mr. Austrian’s views of the industry and the benefits of a possible business combination. The OfficeMax board of directors considered the merits of engaging in further discussions with Office Depot and requested that Mr. Saligram involve financial and legal advisors to further analyze the proposal by Office Depot.

On June 14, 2012, Mr. Austrian and Ms. Garcia of Office Depot met with PJSC and Simpson Thacher in New York City, New York to discuss the May 14, 2012 meeting between Messrs. Austrian and Saligram and potential next steps, including a letter to OfficeMax setting forth a proposal in writing. During the following week, Mr. Austrian discussed with members of the Office Depot board of directors sending to OfficeMax a written proposal pursuant to which Office Depot would acquire all of the outstanding shares of OfficeMax in a merger transaction for $5.25 in cash plus one share of Office Depot common stock for each outstanding share of OfficeMax common stock.

On June 21, 2012, Mr. Austrian sent a letter to Mr. Saligram indicating Office Depot’s proposal for an acquisition transaction in which OfficeMax stockholders would receive $5.25 in cash plus one share of Office Depot common stock for each outstanding share of OfficeMax common stock. The letter indicated Office Depot’s view that any required financing for such transaction could be readily obtained and preliminarily estimated potential annual synergies of the transaction at approximately $400 million.

On July 2, 2012, Mr. Austrian contacted Mr. Saligram by telephone to arrange a subsequent meeting to discuss the June 21, 2012 letter.

On July 13, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically to discuss, among other matters, the June 21, 2012 letter with OfficeMax management. The board discussed events since the receipt of the June 21, 2012 letter from Office Depot and requested additional information from management concerning a potential business combination. Rakesh Gangwal, the chairman of the OfficeMax board of directors, advised the board that Office Depot had requested a meeting with Messrs. Gangwal and Saligram to discuss the expression of interest, and the OfficeMax board of directors authorized participation in such a meeting.

On July 20, 2012, Messrs. Saligram and Gangwal met with Mr. Austrian and Raymond Svider, a member of Office Depot’s board of directors, in New York City, New York to discuss the June 21, 2012 letter. During this meeting, participants also discussed, among other matters, BC Partners’ position with respect to a potential transaction between Office Depot and OfficeMax.

On July 24, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors met with representatives of Office Depot’s management, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Simpson Thacher and Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to Office Depot’s board of directors (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Kirkland”), which had previously been engaged by Office Depot’s board of directors in connection with various matters, at Office Depot’s headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida. At the meeting, Office Depot’s board of directors and its advisors discussed, among other matters, various strategic alternatives with respect to Office Depot de México, S.A. de C.V., Office Depot’s

Mexican joint venture (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Office Depot de México”), including a potential sale of its interest in Office Depot de México and an initial public offering of Office Depot de México. Office Depot’s board of directors also reviewed the terms of a potential transaction with OfficeMax. At the meeting, PJSC discussed with Office Depot’s board of directors certain financial analyses regarding a potential transaction, and Kirkland reviewed with the board the duties and responsibilities of Office Depot’s directors in a potential transaction with OfficeMax. Simpson Thacher reviewed with the board of directors its preliminary analysis of antitrust matters related to the proposed transaction.

On July 25-26, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met at OfficeMax’s headquarters in Naperville, Illinois with members of management to, among other things, review Office Depot’s proposal for a potential transaction in consultation with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Skadden”), which had previously been engaged by OfficeMax in connection with various corporate and transactional matters, Dechert LLP (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Dechert”), which had previously been engaged by OfficeMax in connection with antitrust matters, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “J.P. Morgan”), which had previously been engaged by OfficeMax in connection with the review of various strategic and financial alternatives. At this meeting, Skadden reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors under Delaware law, and Dechert provided a preliminary analysis of antitrust matters in connection with a possible transaction with Office Depot. J.P. Morgan discussed certain financial analyses related to OfficeMax’s strategic plan and various capital structure alternatives, as well as considerations related to the proposal by Office Depot. At this meeting, the OfficeMax board of directors discussed such capital structure alternatives and further that, although Office Depot’s June 21, 2012 letter did not present a compelling proposal given the relative financial position and market capitalization of the two companies at that time, OfficeMax should continue to explore a potential business combination transaction with Office Depot, including seeking to structure such a transaction as an all stock merger in order for stockholders to jointly participate in potential synergies, securing equal board representation for the combined company and addressing other social issues so as to preserve OfficeMax’s business franchise during the regulatory review period. In addition, directors discussed the importance of clarifying the position of BC Partners with respect to the combined company.

On July 27, 2012, Mr. Gangwal contacted Mr. Svider by telephone and email to request a meeting with other representatives of BC Partners to discuss a potential transaction with Office Depot, including the position of BC Partners with respect to such a transaction.

On August 17, 2012, Mr. Gangwal and Joseph DePinto, a member of the OfficeMax board of directors, met with Justin Bateman and Eugene Fife, members of the Office Depot board of directors designated by BC Partners, in Dallas, Texas, to discuss a possible transaction. During this meeting, Messrs. Gangwal and DePinto proposed that OfficeMax and Office Depot approach the transaction as a merger of equals and indicated the importance of financial due diligence in such a structure.

On August 20, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met in Chicago, Illinois to discuss, among other topics, an update on discussions related to the proposed transaction. Members of OfficeMax management participated in this meeting, at which the board instructed management to provide information on possible synergies and to engage an internationally recognized public accounting firm to conduct a due diligence review of public materials pertaining to Office Depot.

On August 29, 2012, Messrs. Gangwal, DePinto, Bateman and Fife again discussed a possible transaction by telephone, and Messrs. Bateman and Fife indicated that the Office Depot board of directors required additional information concerning OfficeMax’s response to the proposed cash and stock acquisition transaction. Messrs. Gangwal and DePinto outlined OfficeMax’s rationale for an all stock combination in which OfficeMax and Office Depot would have equal representation on the combined company’s board of directors.

On August 30, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with members of management to discuss, among other topics, an update on discussions related to the proposed transaction. At this meeting, the board instructed management to prepare a letter to Office Depot reflecting the position outlined by Messrs. Gangwal and DePinto at the August 29, 2012 meeting relative to the structure of the proposed transaction.

On August 30, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors met telephonically with PJSC and Kirkland to discuss the meetings among Messrs. Gangwal, DePinto, Bateman and Fife and possible next steps regarding the proposed transaction. At the meeting, Office Depot’s board of directors instructed Mr. Bateman to again contact OfficeMax.

On August 31, 2012, Mr. Bateman telephoned Mr. Gangwal and indicated that at such time the Office Depot board of directors was not able to agree upon pursuing an all stock combination as described by Messrs. Gangwal and DePinto during the August 29, 2012 discussion but was amenable “in principle” to equal representation on the combined company’s board of directors.

On September 4, 2012, Mr. Saligram sent a letter to Mr. Austrian further describing OfficeMax’s rationale for a true merger of equals structure in which neither party would be viewed as the buyer or the target. The letter highlighted the potential value of estimated synergies relative to the companies’ market capitalizations and the cost to achieve such synergies, the desire to avoid increased leverage for the combined company, the importance of maintaining the parties’ respective business franchises during the pendency of a transaction and the significant overlap between the stockholder bases of both companies at such time. Mr. Saligram requested that Mr. Austrian convey to the Office Depot board of directors that OfficeMax would be willing to discuss a possible transaction based upon the understanding of an all stock combination with equal board representation.

On September 10, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors met telephonically with representatives of Office Depot’s management, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher and discussed the September 4, 2012 letter from OfficeMax. At the meeting, PJSC and Morgan Stanley reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors certain financial analyses relating to the proposed transaction. Following discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors instructed Mr. Austrian to prepare and send a written response to OfficeMax’s September 4, 2012 letter reflecting the terms on which Office Depot’s board of directors was willing to proceed with discussions, as discussed at the meeting.

On September 12, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically to discuss in consultation with Skadden, among other topics, the proposed transaction and the potential process for continuing to review the proposed transaction.

On September 13, 2012, Mr. Austrian sent a letter to Mr. Saligram in response to Mr. Saligram’s September 4, 2012 letter indicating that the Office Depot board of directors was willing to proceed with discussions based upon the understanding of a predominantly stock for stock combination with equal board representation and other indicia of a merger of equals. The letter proposed a transaction structure that would provide OfficeMax stockholders with shares of the combined company representing approximately 43-45% of the combined company’s outstanding shares (assuming BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock) as well as a modest cash component (either as a pre-transaction OfficeMax special dividend or as a portion of the merger consideration). The letter indicated that Office Depot’s agreement on equal board representation assumed the successful resolution of other transaction parameters, including governance, management, headquarters location and company name.

On September 14, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically in consultation with Skadden and on October 1, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met in Chicago, Illinois, together with Skadden and J.P. Morgan, to discuss, among other topics, a response to the September 13, 2012 letter from Mr. Austrian. During these meetings, the OfficeMax board of directors again discussed the goal of pursuing an all stock merger with equal board representation and considered potential challenges to the proposed transaction as a result of

social issues to be resolved between the two companies, as well as the risk that such issues would affect the combined company’s ability to realize the anticipated synergies from the proposed transaction. These discussions also addressed the importance of addressing social issues in a manner consistent with a merger of equals structure in order to preserve relationships with customers, suppliers and employees of OfficeMax during the pendency of the transaction, taking into account the potential period between signing and closing. At the October 1, 2012 meeting, J.P. Morgan provided certain financial analyses related to the proposal received from Office Depot as well as its views on the possible alternative approaches that OfficeMax could use to respond to the September 13, 2012 letter.

On September 17, 2012, Office Depot received a letter from Starboard Value LP (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Starboard”), an investment management firm that, together with its managed funds and accounts, had acquired approximately 13% of Office Depot common stock. In its letter, Starboard stated that it believed there were opportunities to substantially improve Office Depot’s operating and financial performance and that Office Depot’s board of directors should take immediate action to address the continuing underperformance of the Office Depot common stock. Starboard also stated that it believed the value of Office Depot’s investment in Office Depot de México was not reflected in the then current market price of the Office Depot common stock. Over the months preceding Starboard’s letter, Office Depot’s board of directors had considered and Office Depot representatives had discussed the issues raised in Starboard’s letter with Office Depot stockholders and market analysts.

On October 4, 2012, Mr. Gangwal sent a letter to Scott Hedrick, lead director of the Office Depot board of directors, reiterating the importance of a transaction structure that would allow stockholders of both companies to share proportionally in the anticipated synergies, and requesting clarification on the proposed resolution of other transaction parameters, including governance, management, headquarters location and company name, as well as the position of BC Partners and Starboard on a potential merger transaction. In addition, the October 4, 2012 letter requested clarity on the treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by BC Partners in connection with the transaction.

On October 12, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors held a telephonic meeting with Kirkland to review and discuss, among other matters, the status of the discussions relating to the proposed transaction with OfficeMax and the October 4, 2012 letter received from Mr. Gangwal. Following discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors authorized and instructed Messrs. Austrian, Hedrick and Svider to schedule another meeting with directors of OfficeMax to discuss a potential transaction.

On October 20, 2012, Messrs. Gangwal and DePinto and V. James Marino, another member of the OfficeMax board of directors, met with Messrs. Hedrick and Svider and Nigel Travis, another member of the Office Depot board of directors, in New York City, New York. At this meeting, the parties discussed that based on relative current market capitalizations, each party’s stockholders would hold approximately 50% of the outstanding shares of the combined company (assuming that BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock). In addition, the parties discussed the potential benefits of the proposed transaction as well as social issues to be resolved in a manner consistent with other merger of equals transactions.

On October 23-24, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors met at Office Depot’s headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida with representatives of Office Depot’s management, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Kirkland, Simpson Thacher and Hogan Lovells US LLP, counsel to Office Depot in corporate and securities laws matters (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “HL”), to discuss, among other matters, the September 17, 2012 letter from Starboard and the status of the ongoing discussions with OfficeMax regarding the proposed transaction. At the meeting, Mr. Newman updated Office Depot’s board of directors regarding the potential initial public offering of Office Depot de México and other strategic options with respect to Office Depot’s investment in Office Depot de México, including the potential sale of its interest in Office Depot de México, and PJSC and Morgan Stanley provided their perspective regarding the update. At the meeting, Office Depot’s board of directors also discussed the October 20, 2012 meeting with directors of OfficeMax.

On October 24-25, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met at the company’s headquarters in Naperville, Illinois to, among other matters, discuss the potential merger transaction with Office Depot.

On November 15, 2012, Boise Cascade Company (formerly known as Boise Cascade, L.L.C.) (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Boise Cascade”) filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC related to a planned initial public offering. At this time, Boise Cascade was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C. (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Boise Cascade Holdings”), a holding company in which OfficeMax holds a minority investment.

On November 28, 2012, Messrs. Gangwal, Marino and Saligram met with Messrs. Hedrick and Austrian and Thomas Colligan, another member of the Office Depot board of directors, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the key elements of a proposed merger of equals structure. Following such meeting, on November 29, 2012, Mr. Gangwal sent a written summary of the key elements of the proposed transaction discussed at the meeting to Messrs. Hedrick and Austrian. Among other things, the written summary proposed:

At a telephonic meeting of Office Depot’s board of directors with Kirkland and HL on November 30, 2012, Mr. Hedrick provided the board of directors with an update on the November 28, 2012 meeting. Office Depot’s board of directors also discussed engaging Perella Weinberg Partners LP (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Perella Weinberg”) to assist Office Depot’s board of directors as an advisor in the board’s discussions with Starboard.

On December 4-5, 2012, the Office Depot board of directors met at Office Depot’s headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida to approve the engagement of Perella Weinberg. In addition, Office Depot’s board of directors, together with representatives of Office Depot’s management, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Kirkland, Simpson Thacher and Perella Weinberg, discussed, among other matters, the status of the ongoing discussions with OfficeMax regarding the proposed transaction. At the meeting, Mr. Austrian discussed the benefits of a potential transaction with OfficeMax pursuant to the terms set forth in the written summary provided by OfficeMax on November 29, 2012. Mr. Hedrick then summarized the key transaction terms discussed with OfficeMax and, together with Mr. Colligan, described the November 28, 2012 meeting. Following discussion, at the direction of Office Depot’s

board of directors Mr. Hedrick contacted Mr. Gangwal by telephone to indicate that Office Depot was willing to pursue a potential transaction based in principle on the terms included in the written summary.

On December 5-6, 2012, the OfficeMax board of directors met in Phoenix, Arizona to discuss, among other things, the proposed transaction and directed management and advisors of OfficeMax to engage with Office Depot and its advisors to pursue negotiation of a potential merger of equals transaction on the basis of the terms and conditions discussed at the meeting held on November 28, 2012. At this meeting, the OfficeMax board of directors and management also discussed the proposed due diligence process in connection with the potential transaction.

On December 14, 2012, Office Depot and OfficeMax entered into a mutual confidentiality and standstill agreement.

On December 18, 2012, Office Depot’s board of directors held a telephonic meeting with Kirkland to review, among other matters, the ongoing discussions with OfficeMax regarding a potential transaction.

Commencing on December 18, 2012 and continuing through February 20, 2013, management and advisors of Office Depot and OfficeMax engaged in reciprocal due diligence processes, coordinating the scope of responses to due diligence requests with the assistance of antitrust counsel to both parties. On December 19, 2012, the parties and their advisors held a preliminary organizational call on these matters, including the content of an initial due diligence request list and proposed data room procedures.

On December 28 and 31, 2012, Boise Cascade made cash distributions totaling $225 million to Boise Cascade Holdings, which cash distributions were required by the lenders to Boise Cascade to be maintained at Boise Cascade Holdings until completion of Boise Cascade’s planned initial public offering. On January 2, 2013, Boise Cascade Holdings publicly disclosed that it intended to use the cash proceeds received from Boise Cascade to repurchase equity securities from, and/or make a distribution to, its equityholders.

On January 7, 2013, Office Depot and OfficeMax and their respective legal counsel entered into a written joint defense agreement related to information to be exchanged in connection with potential antitrust review processes. On January 11, 2013, the parties entered into a clean team agreement providing for certain sensitive information to be shared among specifically designated members of management and outside advisors.

On January 14-15, 2013, Office Depot and OfficeMax management and their respective advisors met at Skadden’s offices in New York City, New York to provide an overview of their respective businesses, discuss financial and operational due diligence matters and estimate potential synergies achievable in various functional areas in connection with the proposed transaction. These meetings were attended by antitrust counsel to the parties. Between January 15 and February 19, 2013, members of management of Office Depot and OfficeMax reviewed and refined estimates of the potential synergies in connection with the proposed transaction.

On January 15, 2013, Mr. Austrian met with Mr. Saligram and indicated that Office Depot was reviewing various strategic alternatives with respect to Office Depot de México. In that connection, Mr. Austrian indicated that Office Depot’s Mexican joint venture partner, Grupo Gigante S.A.B. de C.V. (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Gigante”), had previously submitted an informal indication of interest to acquire Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México for cash and indicated that the proposed price range of $650-730 million would be viewed as favorable to Office Depot.

On January 16, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with management to discuss, among other topics, the status of key workstreams related to the potential transaction.

On January 19, 2013, Skadden provided a draft merger agreement to Simpson Thacher. Through February 20, 2013, legal counsel and financial advisors to OfficeMax and Office Depot (including with the input

of legal counsel and financial advisors to Office Depot’s board of directors) engaged in negotiations concerning the draft merger agreement and its exhibits and schedules, including covenants related to non-solicitation of acquisition proposals, the ability to change the recommendation of a party’s board of directors, termination rights and the size and triggers for a termination fee, and governance provisions to implement the merger of equals structure as of the closing and during the four-year period following the closing.

On or about January 21, 2013, Mr. Austrian further discussed with Mr. Saligram the informal indication of interest from Gigante to acquire Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México for cash as well as Office Depot’s perspective with respect to this proposal.

On January 24, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met in Chicago, Illinois with members of management and external advisors, including J.P. Morgan and Skadden. At this meeting, members of OfficeMax management provided an update on the due diligence process, including financial due diligence conducted with the assistance of an internationally recognized public accounting firm, and review of potential synergies. Mr. Saligram described the information received from Mr. Austrian concerning the informal indication of interest from Gigante related to Office Depot de México, and the OfficeMax board of directors discussed the potential significance of this joint venture to the combined company. J.P. Morgan discussed with the board certain financial analyses concerning the possible transaction with Office Depot. Skadden and J.P. Morgan described the status of open issues in connection with the transaction, including the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock.

At a telephonic meeting on January 26, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors, in consultation with PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, discussed the status of the ongoing discussions with OfficeMax regarding a potential transaction, including the January 14-15, 2013 meetings with OfficeMax in New York City, New York, and the status of due diligence. At the meeting, representatives of Office Depot’s management reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors the synergies that might be realized in a transaction with OfficeMax and provided an update on the due diligence process. PJSC and Morgan Stanley then discussed with Office Depot’s board of directors certain financial analyses relating to the proposed transaction, including the exchange ratio and the treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by BC Partners in the proposed transaction. Office Depot’s board of directors also discussed the revised indication of interest Office Depot had received from Gigante on January 23, 2013 regarding a potential acquisition by Gigante of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México. Office Depot’s board of directors noted that Gigante’s revised offer with a proposed purchase price of $650 million represented the lower end of the price range Gigante had previously offered. Simpson Thacher reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors the material terms of the proposed merger agreement, including the transaction structure, governance and other social issues, the treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock, regulatory matters and closing conditions. Following further discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors approved the continuation of the negotiations with OfficeMax and the discussions with Gigante regarding a potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México.

Commencing on January 31, 2013 and continuing through February 19, 2013, PJSC, Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan engaged in negotiations concerning the exchange ratio, including discussing movement in the parties’ respective stock prices since Fall 2012 and unexpected circumstances during such time period. At various times during this period, PJSC and Morgan Stanley indicated to J.P. Morgan that BC Partners was unwilling to commit to the treatment of its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock at the time of entry into a definitive merger agreement between Office Depot and OfficeMax and wanted to retain its flexibility to hold or convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock and hold or sell shares of Office Depot common stock issued upon conversion of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock in accordance with its existing contractual rights with Office Depot (including its governance and registration rights). J.P. Morgan reiterated to PJSC and Morgan Stanley that OfficeMax viewed certainty as to the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock and its associated governance rights in the combined company at the time of signing a merger agreement as key elements of the proposed merger of equals structure.

In early February 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors formed a committee (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “transaction committee”), consisting of Messrs. Fife, Colligan and Travis and Marsha Evans, to review, evaluate and discuss, and to supervise management’s negotiation of, the proposed transaction with OfficeMax and the potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México. Commencing on February 5, 2013 and continuing through February 19, 2013, the transaction committee of Office Depot’s board of directors met with Kirkland and Perella Weinberg and, from time to time, with Office Depot’s other financial and legal advisors to review and discuss, among other matters, the ongoing negotiations with OfficeMax regarding the proposed transaction and Gigante’s proposal to acquire Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México.

In early February 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors formed another committee (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “BC Partners committee”), consisting of Messrs. Colligan and Travis and Ms. Evans, to review, evaluate and discuss, and to supervise management’s negotiation of, the treatment of Office Depot’s convertible preferred stock owned by BC Partners in the proposed transaction with OfficeMax. Commencing on February 6, 2013 and continuing through February 19, 2013, the BC Partners committee of Office Depot’s board of directors met with Kirkland and Perella Weinberg and, from time to time, with Office Depot’s other financial and legal advisors to review and discuss the negotiations with BC Partners in connection with the proposed transaction with OfficeMax.

On February 6, 2013, Mr. Austrian and Ms. Garcia and Mr. Saligram and Matthew Broad, executive vice president and general counsel of OfficeMax, met in Atlanta, Georgia and discussed certain open issues in the proposed transaction, including the parties’ respective plans for employee retention during the pendency of the transaction and during the integration period following the closing. At this meeting, Mr. Austrian described a price range of approximately $650-730 million included in the informal indications of interest previously presented to Office Depot by Gigante to acquire Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México together with an exclusive right to the “Office Depot” brand within Central and Latin America. Mr. Austrian indicated that Gigante’s offer was subject to receipt of third party financing. Participants at this meeting then discussed views related to the Latin American markets and the importance of brand names in such markets.

On February 8, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with members of OfficeMax management, Skadden and Dechert. At this meeting, Mr. Saligram provided an update on open issues in the proposed transaction with Office Depot, including the exchange ratio, the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock, the parties’ proposed approach to employee retention and the status of discussions concerning Office Depot de México. The OfficeMax board of directors again discussed the potential significance of this joint venture to the combined company as well as the strategic implications for the combined company of transferring the exclusive right to the “Office Depot” brand within Central and Latin America.

On February 8, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors met at its headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida to review and discuss, in consultation with representatives of Office Depot’s management, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland, Simpson Thacher, various aspects of the proposed transaction with OfficeMax, including the fiduciary duties of the Office Depot directors in connection with the proposed transaction with OfficeMax, the results of due diligence, the material terms of the proposed merger agreement, certain retention issues and communications plans. At the meeting, representatives of PJSC and Morgan Stanley also reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors certain financial analyses regarding the proposed transaction, as well as the status of discussions with J.P. Morgan, OfficeMax’s financial advisor, on the remaining open issues. In addition, PJSC and Morgan Stanley discussed with Office Depot’s board of directors the proposed transaction with OfficeMax in relation to other strategic alternatives available to Office Depot, including the prospects of Office Depot as a standalone company and a potential sale of Office Depot de México. Office Depot management updated the directors of Office Depot on the status of discussions with Gigante concerning Office Depot de México. Based on input received from significant stockholders of Office Depot, including BC Partners and Starboard, Office Depot’s directors recognized and took into account the fact that elements of the Office Depot stockholder base were interested in Office Depot pursuing a potential sale of Office Depot de México.

Following discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors authorized Office Depot’s management and its financial and legal advisors to continue discussions and negotiations with OfficeMax and its advisors regarding a potential transaction.

On February 8 and 11, 2013, Skadden provided to Simpson Thacher draft documents related to the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock, proposing that 100% of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock be converted into shares of Office Depot common stock at the closing and that BC Partners cease to have contractual governance rights associated with this investment other than a single board seat for so long as BC Partners held 10% or more of the common equity of the combined company. Simpson Thacher provided these drafts to the BC Partners committee of Office Depot’s board of directors, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Latham & Watkins LLP (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “Latham”), counsel to BC Partners.

On February 11, 2013, at the direction of Office Depot’s board of directors, PJSC and Morgan Stanley communicated to J.P. Morgan two alternative proposals for the exchange ratio in the proposed transaction: (1) an exchange ratio under which OfficeMax stockholders would hold shares of the combined company representing 45% of the combined company’s outstanding shares (assuming BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock), with OfficeMax permitted to distribute approximately $130 million to its stockholders in connection with proceeds from its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings prior to the closing, or (2) an exchange ratio under which OfficeMax stockholders would hold shares of the combined company representing 47% of the combined company’s outstanding shares (assuming BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock), with no ability for OfficeMax to distribute proceeds from its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings prior to the closing.

On February 11, 2013, OfficeMax publicly announced that it would receive approximately $129 million in cash proceeds on February 12, 2013 related to its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, consisting of approximately $112 million related to the redemption of all of the non-voting Series A Units of Boise Cascade Holdings held by OfficeMax and approximately $17 million as a distribution in respect of the voting Series B Units of Boise Cascade Holdings held by OfficeMax. Following this redemption, OfficeMax would retain approximately 20% of the voting equity in Boise Cascade Holdings.

Also on February 11, 2013, Messrs. Saligram and Austrian spoke by telephone to confirm the scheduling of the parties’ respective upcoming board meetings for the consideration of the potential transaction on February 18 and 19 and the issuance of a press release as soon as possible after board approval and the execution of definitive documents related to the potential transaction.

On February 12, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors met telephonically with Ms. Garcia, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher to review the position of BC Partners with respect to the treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by BC Partners in the proposed transaction with OfficeMax. Mr. Bateman stated that BC Partners generally wished to retain its existing rights and obligations with respect to its Office Depot convertible preferred stock with only a few of the modifications proposed by OfficeMax, that BC Partners was willing to commit to a specific treatment of its Office Depot convertible preferred stock at the time of completion of the proposed transaction but not at the time of signing a definitive transaction agreement and that BC Partners wished to retain the option to convert its Office Depot convertible preferred stock into Office Depot common stock and sell or hedge such shares at any time prior to completion of the proposed transaction.

On February 13, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors and the BC Partners committee of Office Depot’s board of directors held multiple telephonic meetings to review with their advisors, among other matters, the status of negotiations with BC Partners regarding the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by them. Following discussions with BC Partners, PJSC reported to Office Depot’s board of directors that BC Partners was willing to agree to not sell any of its shares from the time of signing of the proposed transaction agreement

until the Office Depot stockholder meeting to vote on the proposed transaction. However, BC Partners wished to retain flexibility to engage in transactions with respect to its Office Depot convertible preferred stock following the Office Depot stockholder meeting to vote on the proposed transaction and to retain a less than 5% ownership level in the combined company upon completion of the proposed transaction.

Later on February 13, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with members of management, J.P. Morgan and Skadden to discuss open issues in the proposed transaction with Office Depot, including Office Depot’s proposed alternatives for the exchange ratio, the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock and the status of discussions concerning Office Depot de México. The OfficeMax board of directors again discussed the strategic implications for the combined company of a sale of Office Depot’s stake in Office Depot de México and the proposed license to the “Office Depot” brand. J.P. Morgan updated the OfficeMax board of directors that BC Partners had communicated to Office Depot and its advisors that it would seek to retain flexibility with respect to its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock during the period following the Office Depot stockholder meeting to vote on the proposed transaction and through the closing, but would agree to reduce its stake to less than 5% of the common equity of the combined company as of the closing. At this meeting, the OfficeMax board of directors directed OfficeMax’s management and advisors to obtain additional clarity on BC Partners’ position, and to negotiate for (1) an increased exchange ratio under which OfficeMax stockholders would hold shares of the combined company representing 47% of the combined company’s outstanding shares (assuming BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock), with OfficeMax being permitted to distribute approximately $130 million to its stockholders in connection with proceeds from its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings prior to the closing, and (2) a consent right related to Office Depot’s ability to pursue a transaction involving Office Depot de México.

In the evening of February 13, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors met with Ms. Garcia, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher. Representatives of PJSC and Morgan Stanley informed Office Depot’s board of directors of the discussions they had with J.P. Morgan following the meeting of the OfficeMax board of directors, including as to the remaining open issues in the proposed transaction.

In the morning of February 14, 2013, the transaction committee of Office Depot’s board of directors met telephonically with members of Office Depot’s management and Kirkland to discuss, among other matters, the potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México, including OfficeMax’s request for a consent right regarding such sale.

At a telephonic meeting of Office Depot’s board of directors in the afternoon of February 14, 2013 in which Ms. Garcia, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher participated, Office Depot’s board of directors discussed the then current status of discussions regarding the proposed transaction with OfficeMax, including OfficeMax’s request for a consent right regarding a potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México, and reviewed the status of negotiations with BC Partners. Following discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors authorized PJSC and Morgan Stanley to communicate to J.P. Morgan a revised proposal, pursuant to which (1) OfficeMax stockholders would hold shares of the combined company representing approximately 46% of the combined company’s outstanding shares (assuming BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock), representing an exchange ratio of 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock for each share of OfficeMax common stock with OfficeMax being permitted to distribute approximately $130 million to its stockholders in connection with proceeds from its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings prior to the closing and (2) Office Depot would retain the right to sell Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México to Gigante without being required to obtain the consent of OfficeMax pursuant to the proposed transaction.

Later on February 14, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with members of management, J.P. Morgan and Skadden to receive an update on open issues in the proposed transaction with Office Depot. At this meeting, J.P. Morgan indicated that, following negotiation among the parties’ respective

financial advisors, PJSC and Morgan Stanley had proposed an exchange ratio of 2.69 shares of Office Depot common stock for each share of OfficeMax common stock, under which OfficeMax stockholders would represent approximately 46% of the combined company’s outstanding shares (assuming BC Partners did not convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock), with OfficeMax permitted to distribute approximately $130 million to its stockholders in connection with proceeds from its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings prior to the closing. The directors discussed the proposed consent right related to Office Depot’s ability to pursue a transaction involving Office Depot de México. The OfficeMax board of directors also discussed BC Partners’ position on retaining flexibility with respect to its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock, and directed OfficeMax’s management and advisors to negotiate the structure for reducing BC Partners’ stake to less than 5% of the common equity of the combined company as of the closing as well as restrictions on BC Partners’ ability to sell during the period following the Office Depot stockholder meeting to vote on the proposed transaction and through the closing.

Commencing on February 15, 2013 through February 20, 2013, J.P. Morgan, Skadden, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Simpson and Latham engaged in negotiations concerning the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock in connection with the proposed transaction, including with respect to the scope of BC Partners’ voting agreement, restrictions on BC Partners’ ability to convert its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock into Office Depot common stock and to sell its shares of Office Depot common stock during the period following the Office Depot stockholder meeting to vote on the proposed transaction and through the closing, the redemption of preferred shares or repurchase of common shares held by BC Partners in order to reduce its stake to less than 5% of the common equity of the combined company as of the closing, a standstill agreement applicable for a two-year period following the closing and the termination of all contractual governance rights of BC Partners as of the closing.

In the morning of February 15, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors met telephonically with Ms. Garcia, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher to review the ongoing negotiations with OfficeMax regarding the proposed transaction and with BC Partners regarding the treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by them in the proposed transaction. PJSC and Morgan Stanley reported that OfficeMax insisted on a consent right regarding a potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México, but that OfficeMax agreed that its consent could not be unreasonably withheld. Office Depot’s board of directors then discussed the potential consequences of the requested consent right, both in relation to the proposed transaction with OfficeMax as well as in relation to the prospects for a sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México and Office Depot’s operations in Latin America.

On the same day, Office Depot’s board of directors received a conditional offer from Gigante, pursuant to which Gigante offered to purchase Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México and the right and license to use the “Office Depot” name and brand across Latin America for approximately $690 million in cash. Gigante’s offer was subject to a number of conditions, including the receipt of approval of Gigante’s shareholders, receipt of regulatory approvals and agreement by Office Depot to a 120 day exclusivity period. Gigante’s offer also contemplated receipt of third party financing. Later on February 15, 2013, press reports announced that Office Depot and Gigante were discussing a sale of Office Depot de México to Gigante.

On February 15, 2013, Messrs. Austrian and Saligram further discussed the proposed consent right relating to a transaction involving Office Depot de México and the treatment of BC Partners’ stake in Office Depot in connection with the proposed transaction.

On February 15, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with members of management, J.P. Morgan and Skadden and received an update on the status of negotiations on open issues in the proposed transaction with Office Depot, including the proposed consent right relating to a transaction involving Office Depot de México and the terms for the treatment of BC Partners’ stake in Office Depot in connection with the proposed transaction. Later on February 15, 2013, Skadden provided to Simpson Thacher a draft of the proposed consent right, pursuant to which Office Depot would be required to obtain OfficeMax’s prior consent in

connection with a potential sale of all or any significant portion of Office Depot de México, including Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México, which consent could not be unreasonably withheld and as to which OfficeMax would be entitled to take into account all such considerations as it may determine to be appropriate (including financial, non-financial or strategic factors). Skadden indicated that OfficeMax was not prepared to proceed with the proposed transaction without such consent right.

At a telephonic meeting of Office Depot’s board of directors early on February 16, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors, together with Ms. Garcia, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher discussed Gigante’s offer of February 15, 2013, including the impact of a potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México on the proposed transaction with OfficeMax. Office Depot’s board of directors and its advisors considered OfficeMax’s position that it was not prepared to proceed with the proposed transaction without having the proposed right to consent to a potential sale of Office Depot de México. Office Depot’s board of directors also considered that the proposed consent could not be unreasonably withheld. Office Depot’s board of directors and its advisors discussed the potential consequences of the proposed consent right, both in relation to the proposed transaction with OfficeMax as well as in relation to the prospects for a sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México and Office Depot’s operations in Latin America, and concluded that the strategic rationale for the proposed transaction with OfficeMax took priority over the potential sale of Office Depot de México. Following discussion, Office Depot’s board of directors determined that it would be in the best interests of Office Depot and its stockholders to agree to the proposed consent right in order to induce OfficeMax to enter into a definitive agreement and to secure the benefits of the proposed merger transaction for Office Depot stockholders.

On February 17, 2013, Mr. Hedrick contacted Mr. Gangwal by telephone to discuss the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock and open issues related to the governance of the combined company. On the same date, Mr. Saligram contacted Mr. Austrian to request a meeting with representatives of both Office Depot and BC Partners to discuss the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock in connection with the proposed transaction.

On February 17, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met telephonically with members of management, J.P. Morgan and Skadden and received an update on the status of negotiations on open issues in the proposed transaction with Office Depot, including that Mr. Saligram had requested a meeting with Office Depot at which principals of BC Partners would be present.

On the morning of February 18, 2013, Messrs. Gangwal, Marino and Saligram met with Messrs. Hedrick, Austrian, Fife and Svider at the offices of Simpson Thacher in New York City, New York. At this meeting, the parties discussed how to reconcile BC Partners’ desire to retain flexibility with respect to its shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock after the time of signing a definitive transaction agreement with OfficeMax’s view that its stockholders should have certainty as of that time as to BC Partners’ stake in the combined company and that BC Partners should retain no contractual governance rights following the closing. Later on February 18, 2013, BC Partners and Office Depot communicated to OfficeMax a revised proposal under which 50% of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock would be redeemed by Office Depot following receipt of the Office Depot stockholder approval of the transaction and BC Partners’ stake would be reduced to less than 5% of the common equity of the combined company as of the closing. Negotiations on additional open issues related to the treatment of BC Partners’ shares of Office Depot convertible preferred stock continued among legal counsel and financial advisors of the parties through February 20, 2013.

On the same day, The Wall Street Journal reported that OfficeMax and Office Depot were engaged in discussions concerning a possible transaction.

On February 19, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors met at the offices of Simpson Thacher in New York City, New York with representatives of Office Depot’s management, PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher to review and discuss, among other matters, the proposed transaction

with OfficeMax. During these meetings, Office Depot’s board of directors considered and evaluated the consequences of the proposed transaction for a potential sale of Office Depot’s interest in Office Depot de México, including that Office Depot would be required to obtain OfficeMax’s consent to such sale pursuant to the proposed merger agreement. Office Depot’s board of directors also reviewed the regulatory approval process relating to the proposed transaction with OfficeMax and discussed with Office Depot’s management the estimated annual synergies of $400 to $600 million for the combined company. Representatives of Kirkland reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors the Office Depot directors’ fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed transaction. Representatives of Office Depot’s management and Simpson Thacher provided Office Depot’s board of directors with an update regarding the due diligence process and findings. Simpson Thacher then discussed with Office Depot’s board of directors the material terms and provisions of the proposed merger agreement with OfficeMax and reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors its analysis of antitrust matters related to the proposed transaction. Simpson Thacher also provided an overview of the arrangements proposed to be entered into with BC Partners. PJSC and Morgan Stanley then reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors their respective financial analyses of the proposed transaction with OfficeMax and discussed certain transaction key terms and reviewed the exchange ratio. Perella Weinberg also provided its observations regarding the proposed transaction with OfficeMax. PJSC and Morgan Stanley then delivered to Office Depot’s board of directors their respective oral opinions, which were subsequently confirmed by delivery of written opinions dated February 19, 2013, that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in their respective written opinions, the exchange ratio provided for in the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Office Depot.

Later on February 19, 2013, the BC Partners committee of Office Depot’s board of directors met at the offices of Simpson Thacher in New York City, New York with Messrs. Austrian and Hedrick, Brenda Gaines and Kathleen Mason and representatives of PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher and, following review of the final terms of the proposed treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock in the proposed transaction with OfficeMax, unanimously recommended that Office Depot’s board of directors approve the treatment of the Office Depot convertible preferred stock in the proposed transaction with OfficeMax as reflected in the merger agreement, the voting agreement and the termination agreement. Later that day, the transaction committee of Office Depot’s board of directors met at the offices of Simpson Thacher in New York City, New York with Messrs. Austrian, Hedrick and Fife and Mmes. Gaines and Mason and representatives of PJSC, Morgan Stanley, Perella Weinberg, Kirkland and Simpson Thacher and, following review of the final terms of the proposed transaction with OfficeMax, unanimously recommended that Office Depot’s board of directors approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

On the evening of February 19, 2013, following a discussion of the proposed transaction, Office Depot’s board of directors unanimously voted to approve the merger agreement and the agreements with BC Partners and the transactions contemplated thereby and authorized management of Office Depot to take actions designed to accomplish the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the agreements with BC Partners.

Throughout February 18-19, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors met at Skadden’s offices in New York City, New York with members of management, J.P. Morgan and Skadden and received updates concerning the status of negotiations on open issues in the proposed transaction with Office Depot. During these meetings, the OfficeMax board of directors also reviewed with Dechert its analysis of antitrust matters related to the proposed transaction and discussed with OfficeMax management the estimated annual synergies of $400-600 million for the combined company and key due diligence findings related to Office Depot. Skadden reviewed with the OfficeMax board of directors its legal duties and responsibilities in connection with the proposed transaction. J.P. Morgan reviewed with the OfficeMax board of directors its financial analysis of the exchange ratio. Skadden provided an update on the material terms and provisions of the merger agreement and agreement with BC Partners and changes to such agreements that had been negotiated since the written transaction summary and draft of the merger agreement provided to the OfficeMax board of directors in advance of the meetings. J.P. Morgan delivered to the OfficeMax board of directors an oral opinion, which was confirmed by delivery of a

written opinion dated February 19, 2013, to the effect that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by J.P. Morgan in preparing the opinion, the exchange ratio in the proposed transaction with Office Depot was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of OfficeMax common stock. Following a discussion of the proposed transaction, on the evening of February 19, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors unanimously voted to approve the merger agreement and agreement with BC Partners and the transactions contemplated thereby and authorized management of OfficeMax to take actions designed to accomplish the transactions contemplated thereby.

Following the meetings of the Office Depot board of directors and the OfficeMax board of directors, legal counsel and financial advisors to Office Depot and OfficeMax finalized the transaction documents.

On the morning of February 20, 2013, Office Depot and OfficeMax executed the merger agreement and executed the definitive agreements with BC Partners contemplated by the merger agreement. As planned, Office Depot and OfficeMax then issued a joint press release announcing the transaction.

Recommendation of Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions

By a vote at a meeting held on February 19, 2013, Office Depot’s board of directors unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance, were advisable and in the best interests of Office Depot and its stockholders and approved the Office Depot share issuance. Office Depot’s board of directors recommends that Office Depot stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the Office Depot share issuance at the Office Depot special meeting.

In evaluating the proposed transactions, Office Depot’s board of directors consulted with Office Depot’s management and legal and financial advisors and, in reaching its determination and recommendation, Office Depot’s board of directors considered a number of factors. Office Depot’s board of directors also consulted with outside legal counsel regarding its obligations, legal due diligence matters and the terms of the merger agreement.

Many of the factors considered favored the conclusion of Office Depot’s board of directors that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance, are advisable and in the best interests of Office Depot and its stockholders, including the following:

In the course of its deliberations, Office Depot’s board of directors also considered a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors, including the following:

Office Depot’s board of directors considered all of these factors as a whole and, on balance, concluded that they supported a determination to approve the merger agreement. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by Office Depot’s board of directors is not exhaustive. In view of the wide variety of factors considered by Office Depot’s board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the proposed transactions and the complexity of these matters, Office Depot’s board of directors did not consider it practical to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching its decision. Office Depot’s board of directors evaluated the factors described above, among others, and reached a consensus that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Office Depot share issuance, were advisable and in the best interests of Office Depot and its stockholders. In considering the factors described above and any other factors, individual members of Office Depot’s board of directors may have viewed factors differently or given different weight or merit to different factors.

In considering the recommendation of Office Depot’s board of directors to approve the Office Depot share issuance, Office Depot stockholders should be aware that the executive officers and directors of Office Depot may have certain interests in the proposed transactions that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Office Depot stockholders more generally. Office Depot’s board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them when approving the Office Depot share issuance and recommending that Office Depot stockholders vote to approve the Office Depot share issuance. See “—Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions” on page 123.

Recommendation of OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions

By a vote at a meeting held on February 19, 2013, the OfficeMax board of directors unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement were advisable and in the best interests of OfficeMax and its stockholders and approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and second merger. The OfficeMax board of directors recommends that OfficeMax stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger at the OfficeMax special meeting.

In evaluating the proposed transactions, the OfficeMax board of directors consulted with OfficeMax’s management and legal and financial advisors and, in reaching its determination and recommendation, the OfficeMax board of directors considered a number of factors. The OfficeMax board of directors also consulted with outside legal counsel regarding its obligations, legal due diligence matters and the terms of the merger agreement.

Many of the factors considered favored the conclusion of the OfficeMax board of directors that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of OfficeMax and its stockholders, including the following:

In the course of its deliberations, the OfficeMax board of directors also considered a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors, including the following:

OfficeMax’s board of directors considered all of these factors as a whole and, on balance, concluded that they supported a determination to approve the merger agreement. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the OfficeMax board of directors is not exhaustive. In view of the wide variety of

factors considered by the OfficeMax board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the proposed transactions and the complexity of these matters, the OfficeMax board of directors did not consider it practical to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching its decision. The OfficeMax board of directors evaluated the factors described above, among others, and reached a consensus that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the first merger and the second merger, were advisable and in the best interests of OfficeMax and its stockholders. In considering the factors described above and any other factors, individual members of the OfficeMax board of directors may have viewed factors differently or given different weight or merit to different factors.

In considering the recommendation of the OfficeMax board of directors to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger, OfficeMax stockholders should be aware that the executive officers and directors of OfficeMax may have certain interests in the proposed transactions that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of OfficeMax stockholders more generally. The OfficeMax board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them when approving the merger agreement and recommending that OfficeMax stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and approve the first merger and the second merger. See “—Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions” on page 129.

Certain Financial Projections Utilized by Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Office Depot’s Financial Advisors

Office Depot does not, as a matter of course, publicly disclose forecasts or internal projections as to future performance, earnings or other results due to the unpredictability of the underlying assumptions and estimates. In connection with the discussions regarding the proposed transactions, Office Depot management prepared, however, certain unaudited financial projections regarding Office Depot’s forecasted operating results for fiscal years 2013 through 2016 (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Office Depot management case”). Office Depot provided the Office Depot management case to Office Depot’s board of directors, its financial advisors and OfficeMax, except that the financial projections for fiscal year 2016 included in the Office Depot management case were not made available to OfficeMax or J.P. Morgan. OfficeMax’s use of these projections is described under “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized by OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor” beginning on page 90.

Office Depot management also prepared unaudited financial projections regarding Office Depot’s forecasted operating results for fiscal years 2013 through 2016 to reflect the potential impact on its capital structure and cash flows if the projected results in the Office Depot management case were lower than anticipated due to macroeconomic and other conditions affecting Office Depot’s business (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “Office Depot management sensitivity case”). As such, the Office Depot management sensitivity case reflects revenue growth and margin expansion that were assumed to be lower than in the Office Depot management case. Office Depot management provided the Office Depot management sensitivity case to Office Depot’s board of directors and its financial advisors. The Office Depot management sensitivity case was not made available to OfficeMax or J.P. Morgan.

The inclusion of any financial projections or assumptions in this joint proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that Office Depot or its board of directors considered, or now considers, these projections to be a reliable predictor of future results. You should not place undue reliance on the unaudited financial projections contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Please read carefully “—Important Information About the Unaudited Financial Projections” beginning on page 92.

Office Depot uses a variety of financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP, including EBIT and EBITDA, as supplemental measures to evaluate its operational performance. While Office Depot believes

that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information, there are limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, are not reported by all of Office Depot’s competitors and may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of Office Depot’s competitors due to potential differences in the exact method of calculation.

The financial projections included in the Office Depot management case and the Office Depot management sensitivity case include EBIT, which is defined as net earnings (loss), plus interest expense and taxes, and charges or credits associated with impairments and restructuring activities that are not considered part of core operations. The Office Depot management case and the Office Depot management sensitivity case also include EBITDA, which is defined as net earnings (loss), before (a) interest expense and taxes, (b) depreciation and amortization expenses, and (c) charges or credits associated with impairments and restructuring activities that are not considered part of core operations.

The following tables summarize the Office Depot management case and the Office Depot management sensitivity case prepared by Office Depot as described above, as used by Office Depot’s board of directors for purposes of its consideration of the transactions and by PJSC and Morgan Stanley for purposes of their respective financial analyses:

The increase in EBIT and EBITDA in the years through 2016 reflected in both the Office Depot management case and the Office Depot management sensitivity case incorporates sales growth consistent with the belief that the U.S. and European economies will continue to be soft although improving in the outer years. As such, the increase reflects anticipated benefits from existing and planned initiatives including the continuation of Office Depot’s retail square footage reduction, increasing owned brand penetration and improving product costs, an elimination of national advertising sponsorships and reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses. No assurances can be made regarding these revenue assumptions or Office Depot’s ability to obtain these cost reductions.

In connection with the discussions regarding the proposed transactions, OfficeMax provided to Office Depot certain unaudited financial projections regarding OfficeMax’s forecasted operating results for fiscal years 2013 through 2015. To align the period of the financial projections related to OfficeMax with the potential cost savings and synergies estimated by Office Depot management to result from the proposed transactions in the years 2014 through 2016, Office Depot’s management extended the unaudited financial projections provided by OfficeMax by one year to fiscal year 2016 using the same relative growth assumptions reflected in the forecasted operating

results of OfficeMax for fiscal year 2015. Based on these projections, Office Depot management derived complete statements of operations of OfficeMax projected for fiscal years 2013 through 2016 (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “OfficeMax case”). Office Depot provided the OfficeMax case to Office Depot’s board of directors and its financial advisors. The OfficeMax case derived by Office Depot was not made available to OfficeMax or J.P. Morgan.

Office Depot management also prepared certain unaudited financial projections regarding OfficeMax’s forecasted operating results for fiscal years 2013 through 2016 to reflect the potential impact on OfficeMax’s capital structure and cash flows if the projected results in the OfficeMax case were lower than anticipated due, assuming the same macroeconomic and other conditions that Office Depot management assumed for purposes of preparing the Office Depot management sensitivity case affected OfficeMax (referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the “OfficeMax sensitivity case”). As such, the OfficeMax sensitivity case reflects revenue growth and margin expansion that were assumed to be lower than in the OfficeMax case. Office Depot management provided the OfficeMax sensitivity case to Office Depot’s board of directors and its financial advisors. The OfficeMax sensitivity case was not made available to OfficeMax or J.P. Morgan.

The financial projections included in the OfficeMax case and the OfficeMax sensitivity case include EBIT, which is defined as net earnings (loss), before (a) interest expense and taxes, and (b) certain items that are not indicative of core operating activities such as facility closures and adjustments, asset impairments, severance and other charges or credits related to legacy items, and costs associated with the transactions. These projections also include EBITDA, which is defined as net earnings (loss), before (a) interest expense and taxes, (b) depreciation and amortization expenses, and (c) certain items that are not indicative of core operating activities such as facility closures and adjustments, asset impairments, severance and other charges or credits related to legacy items, and costs associated with the transactions.

The following tables summarize the OfficeMax case and the OfficeMax sensitivity case derived or prepared by Office Depot as described above, as used by Office Depot’s board of directors for purposes of its consideration of the transactions and by PJSC and Morgan Stanley for purposes of their respective financial analyses:

Certain Financial Projections Utilized by OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor

OfficeMax does not, as a matter of course, publicly disclose forecasts or internal projections as to future performance, earnings or other results due to the unpredictability of the underlying assumptions and estimates. In

connection with the discussions regarding the proposed transactions, the OfficeMax management, however, prepared certain unaudited financial projections regarding OfficeMax’s forecasted operating results for fiscal years 2013 through 2015. OfficeMax provided these projections to OfficeMax’s board of directors, J.P. Morgan and Office Depot. J.P. Morgan used these projections for its financial analyses. Office Depot’s use of these projections is described under “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized by Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Office Depot’s Financial Advisors” beginning on page 88.

The inclusion of any financial projections or assumptions in this joint proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that OfficeMax or its board of directors considered, or now considers, these projections to be a reliable predictor of future results. You should not place undue reliance on the unaudited financial projections contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Please read carefully “—Important Information About the Unaudited Financial Projections” beginning on page 92.

OfficeMax uses a variety of financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP, including EBIT and EBITDA, as supplemental measures to evaluate its operational performance. While OfficeMax believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information, there are limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, are not reported by all of OfficeMax’s competitors and may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of OfficeMax’s competitors due to potential differences in the exact method of calculation.

The financial projections prepared by OfficeMax management include EBIT, which is defined as net earnings (loss), before (a) interest expense and taxes, and (b) certain items that are not indicative of core operating activities such as facility closures and adjustments, asset impairments, severance and other charges or credits related to legacy items, and costs associated with the transactions. These projections also include EBITDA, which is defined as net earnings (loss), before (a) interest expense and taxes, (b) depreciation and amortization expenses, and (c) certain items that are not indicative of core operating activities such as facility closures and adjustments, asset impairments, severance and other charges or credits related to legacy items, and costs associated with the transactions.

The following table summarizes the financial projections related to OfficeMax, prepared by OfficeMax management as described above, used by OfficeMax’s board of directors for purposes of its consideration of the transactions and by J.P. Morgan for purposes of its financial analyses:

The increase in EBIT and EBITDA reflected in the projections incorporates sales growth from various strategic initiatives, including investments in the online (digital) channel and higher margin adjacent products and business services. These projected sales increases are partially offset by the expectation of muted macroeconomic trends, softness in traditional office product sales, and a net reduction in U.S. retail square footage. Continued strong cost controls along with several key margin initiatives, including an improved mix to more profitable small and middle market business customers, increased private label penetration and optimization of merchandise product costs add to the expected EBIT and EBITDA growth. No assurances can be made regarding these revenue assumptions or margin improvements.

In connection with the discussions regarding the proposed transactions, Office Depot provided to OfficeMax the unaudited financial projections regarding Office Depot’s forecasted operating results for fiscal years 2013

through 2015 included in the Office Depot management case and described under “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized by Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Office Depot’s Financial Advisors” beginning on page 88. OfficeMax provided these projections to OfficeMax’s board of directors for purposes of its consideration of the transactions and to J.P. Morgan for purposes of its financial analyses.

While the unaudited financial projections summarized above in the sections titled “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized by Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Office Depot’s Financial Advisors” beginning on page 88 and “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized by OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor” beginning on page 90 were prepared in good faith and based on information available at the time of preparation, no assurance can be made regarding future events. The estimates and assumptions underlying the unaudited financial projections involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive, regulatory and financial market conditions and future business decisions that may not be realized and that are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, including, among others, risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on pages 39 and 37, respectively, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Office Depot and OfficeMax, respectively, and will be beyond the control of the combined company. There can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions will prove to be accurate or that the projected results will be realized, and actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from those reflected in the unaudited financial projections, whether or not the transactions are completed. As a result, the unaudited financial projections cannot be considered a reliable predictor of future operating results, and this information should not be relied on as such.

The unaudited financial projections were prepared solely for internal use by Office Depot or OfficeMax, as the case may be, and not with a view toward public disclosure or with a view toward complying with the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial data, published guidelines of the SEC regarding forward-looking statements and the use of non-GAAP measures or GAAP. In the view of Office Depot management and OfficeMax management, the respective forecasts prepared by them were prepared on a reasonable basis based on the best information available to Office Depot management and OfficeMax management, respectively, at the time of their preparation. The unaudited financial projections, however, are not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and readers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. The inclusion of the unaudited financial projections in this joint proxy statement/prospectus shall not be deemed an admission or representation by Office Depot or OfficeMax that such information is material. None of the unaudited financial projections reflect any impact of the transactions.

All of the unaudited financial projections summarized in this section were prepared by and are the responsibility of the management of Office Depot or OfficeMax, as the case may be. No independent registered public accounting firm has examined, compiled or otherwise performed any procedures with respect to the prospective financial information contained in these financial forecasts and, accordingly, no independent registered public accounting firm has expressed any opinion or given any other form of assurance with respect thereto and no independent registered public accounting firm assumes any responsibility for the prospective financial information. The reports of the independent registered public accounting firms incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus relate to the historical financial information of Office Depot and OfficeMax, respectively. Such reports do not extend to the unaudited financial projections and should not be read to do so.

By including in this joint proxy statement/prospectus a summary of certain of the unaudited financial projections regarding the operating results of Office Depot and OfficeMax, neither Office Depot, OfficeMax nor any of their respective representatives has made or makes any representation to any person regarding the ultimate performance of Office Depot or OfficeMax compared to the information contained in the financial projections. The unaudited financial projections cover multiple years and such information by its nature becomes less

predictive with each succeeding year. Neither Office Depot, OfficeMax nor, following completion of the transactions, the combined company undertakes any obligation, except as required by law, to update or otherwise revise the unaudited financial projections contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to reflect circumstances existing since their preparation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to reflect changes in general economic or industry conditions, even in the event that any or all of the underlying assumptions are shown to be in error.

The summaries of the unaudited financial projections are not included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus in order to induce any OfficeMax stockholder to vote in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the first merger and the second merger or any of the other proposals to be voted on at the OfficeMax special meeting of stockholders or any Office Depot stockholder to vote in favor of the Office Depot share issuance proposal or any of the other proposals to be voted on at the Office Depot special meeting of stockholders.

Office Depot retained Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P. and Peter J. Solomon Securities Company LLC (together referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “PJSC”) to provide it with financial advisory services in connection with the transactions. PJSC is an internationally recognized investment banking firm which is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. Office Depot selected PJSC to act as one of its financial advisors in connection with the transactions on the basis of PJSC’s experience in transactions of this type, its reputation in the investment community and its familiarity with Office Depot and its business.

At the meeting of Office Depot’s board of directors on February 19, 2013, PJSC rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of such date, and based upon and subject to the various assumptions, considerations, qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion, the exchange ratio provided for in the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Office Depot.

The full text of the written opinion of PJSC, dated February 19, 2013, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, limitations on and scope of the review undertaken by PJSC in rendering PJSC’s opinion, is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C and incorporated by reference into this section of the joint proxy statement/prospectus. PJSC’s opinion was directed only to the fairness of the exchange ratio to Office Depot from a financial point of view, was provided to Office Depot’s board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the transactions, did not address any other aspect of the transactions and did not, and does not, constitute a recommendation to any holder of Office Depot’s capital stock as to how any such holder should vote on the transactions or act on any matter relating to the transactions. The summary of PJSC’s opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion. Holders of Office Depot common stock are urged to read PJSC’s opinion carefully and in its entirety. PJSC has consented to the use of PJSC’s opinion in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

For purposes of its opinion, PJSC assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the information reviewed by PJSC for the purposes of its opinion and did not assume any responsibility for independent verification of such information and relied on such information being complete and correct. PJSC relied on assurances of the management of Office Depot that they were not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate or misleading in any respect material to PJSC’s opinion. With respect to the financial projections, including the estimates made by OfficeMax’s and Office Depot’s management of certain potential benefits of the proposed business combination, PJSC has assumed that the financial projections were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the future financial performance of OfficeMax and Office Depot, respectively. With respect to OfficeMax projected financial data prepared by Office Depot’s management, PJSC has assumed that any adjustments made by Office Depot’s management to the financial projections for OfficeMax have been reasonably determined by Office Depot’s management on bases reflecting the best available estimates and good faith judgments of Office Depot’s management as to the matters covered thereby. PJSC expresses no view as to any projected financial data relating to OfficeMax (whether prepared by OfficeMax’s management, or as adjusted by Office Depot’s management) or Office Depot, or the assumptions on which they are based. PJSC has not conducted a physical inspection of the facilities or property of OfficeMax or Office Depot. PJSC has not assumed any responsibility for any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets, liabilities or contingent liabilities of OfficeMax or Office Depot, nor has PJSC been furnished with any such valuation or appraisal. Furthermore, PJSC has not considered any tax, accounting or legal effects of the transactions or the transaction structure on any person or entity.

PJSC assumed that the final form of the merger agreement would be substantially the same as the last draft dated February 17, 2013 reviewed by PJSC and would not vary in any respect material to its analysis. PJSC also assumed that the transactions will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement (including, without limitation, the exchange ratio in connection with the transactions), and that, in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases for the transactions, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on OfficeMax or Office Depot or the contemplated benefits of the transactions. PJSC has further assumed that all representations and warranties

set forth in the merger agreement are and will be true and correct as of all the dates made or deemed made and that all parties to the merger agreement will comply with all covenants of such parties under the merger agreement.

PJSC assumed that the final form of the voting agreement would be substantially the same as the last draft dated February 19, 2013 reviewed by PJSC and would not vary in any respect material to its analysis. PJSC further assumed that the transaction contemplated by the voting agreement will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the voting agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment of any term, condition or agreement.

PJSC’s opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of, the date of its opinion. In particular, PJSC does not express any opinion as to the prices at which shares of Office Depot common stock may trade at any future time. Furthermore, PJSC’s opinion does not address Office Depot’s underlying business decision to undertake the transactions, and PJSC’s opinion does not address the relative merits of the transactions as compared to any alternative transactions that might be available to Office Depot. PJSC’s opinion does not address any other aspect or implication of the transactions, including, without limitation, the form or structure of the transactions (or the tax or accounting consequences thereof) or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with the transactions or otherwise except as expressly identified in PJSC’s opinion. While PJSC has taken into account for purposes of its analyses the terms of the voting agreement, PJSC expresses no opinion as to the fairness of such terms or whether other alternatives may exist with respect to the Office Depot convertible preferred stock held by BC Partners.

No limitations were imposed by Office Depot’s board of directors upon PJSC with respect to investigations made or procedures followed by PJSC in rendering PJSC’s opinion.

The following summarizes the significant financial analyses performed by PJSC and reviewed with Office Depot’s board of directors on February 19, 2013 in connection with the delivery of PJSC’s opinion. The order of the financial analyses does not represent relative importance or weight given to those analyses by PJSC. The financial analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand PJSC’s financial analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of PJSC’s financial analyses.

For some of the financial analyses performed by PJSC, PJSC used certain financial forecasts for Office Depot prepared by Office Depot management and certain financial forecasts for OfficeMax prepared by the OfficeMax management, as well as certain extrapolations from, the financial forecasts for OfficeMax prepared by Office Depot (referred to as the “management cases”), which had been approved for PJSC’s use for its financial analyses by Office Depot management. PJSC also reviewed the potential impact of sensitivity cases for each of Office Depot and OfficeMax prepared by Office Depot management (referred to as the “sensitivity cases”), which had been approved for PJSC’s use for its financial analyses by Office Depot management.

PJSC reviewed selected public market trading price targets for OfficeMax common stock prepared and published by 13 equity research analysts that published or confirmed price targets for OfficeMax after November 6, 2012, the date Office Depot announced its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2012, and prior to February 15, 2013, the last full trading day prior to the rendering of PJSC’s opinion dated February 19, 2013. PJSC reviewed the most recent price targets published by each analyst. These targets reflect each analyst’s estimate of the future public market trading price of OfficeMax common stock at the time the price target was published. At February 15, 2013, the range of selected equity analyst price targets

for OfficeMax common stock was from $6.50 to $17.00 per share. PJSC noted that the closing price of OfficeMax common stock on February 15, 2013 was $10.75 per share.

PJSC also reviewed selected public market trading price targets for Office Depot common stock prepared and published by 11 equity research analysts that published or confirmed price targets for Office Depot after November 6, 2012 and prior to February 15, 2013. These targets reflect each analyst’s estimate of the future public market trading price of Office Depot common stock at the time the price target was published. At February 15, 2013, the range of selected equity analyst price targets for Office Depot common stock was from $3.00 to $4.00 per share. PJSC noted that the closing price of Office Depot common stock on February 15, 2013 was $4.59 per share.

PJSC calculated the exchange ratio implied by the analyst price targets for OfficeMax and Office Depot (only with respect to such analysts that published price targets for both OfficeMax and Office Depot) by dividing the OfficeMax price target by the Office Depot price target provided by the same analyst. This analysis implied a range of exchange ratios of 2.167 to 4.250. PJSC noted that the merger agreement provided for an exchange ratio of 2.690.

The public market trading price targets published by securities research analysts do not necessarily reflect current market trading prices for shares of OfficeMax common stock or shares of Office Depot common stock, and these estimates are subject to uncertainties, including the future financial performance of OfficeMax and Office Depot and future financial market conditions.

PJSC reviewed and compared selected financial information of Office Depot and OfficeMax with similar information using publicly available information of the following publicly traded companies that share similar business characteristics to Office Depot and OfficeMax, and that PJSC deemed relevant:

PJSC calculated and compared various financial multiples and ratios, including, among other things:

For the purposes of its calculation of OfficeMax’s enterprise value, PJSC included its estimate of certain net liabilities of OfficeMax (referred to as the “legacy net liabilities”). These legacy net liabilities include certain contingent obligations and tax-related obligations less certain key assets, including non-operating investments and tax credits. Additionally, PJSC included in OfficeMax’s cash balance the cash amount related to an assumed distribution to OfficeMax stockholders of $129 million of proceeds from OfficeMax’s investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.

Based on this data, as of February 15, 2013, PJSC developed and selected, based on its experience and judgment, the following reference ranges of trading valuation multiples and ratios for selected publicly traded companies:

Using the reference ranges described above, and based on the management cases and the sensitivity cases, PJSC estimated the following implied value ranges for shares of OfficeMax and Office Depot on a fully diluted basis:


Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	x
Non-accelerated filer	¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨


Sincerely,

Neil R. Austrian		Ravi K. Saligram
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer		President and Chief Executive Officer
Office Depot, Inc.		OfficeMax Incorporated


For Office Depot stockholders:		For OfficeMax stockholders:

Office Depot, Inc. 6600 North Military Trail Boca Raton, Florida 33496 (561) 438-7878 Attention: Investor Relations		OfficeMax Incorporated 263 Shuman Boulevard Naperville, Illinois 60563 (630) 864-6800 Attention: Investor Relations

Innisfree M&A Incorporated 501 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 Stockholders may call toll-free: (877) 825-8621 Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833		D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Stockholders may call toll-free: (888) 605-1956 Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 269-5550


	Page
HOUSEHOLDING OF JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS		218
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		219
Annex A—Agreement and Plan of Merger		A-1
Annex B—Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws.		B-1
Annex C—Peter J. Solomon Company L.P. Fairness Opinion.		C-1
Annex D—Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC Fairness Opinion		D-1
Annex E—J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Fairness Opinion		E-1


For Office Depot stockholders:		For OfficeMax stockholders:

Office Depot, Inc. 6600 North Military Trail Boca Raton, Florida 33496 (561) 438-7878 Attention: Investor Relations		OfficeMax Incorporated 263 Shuman Boulevard Naperville, Illinois 60563 (630) 864-6800 Attention: Investor Relations

Innisfree M&A Incorporated 501 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 Stockholders may call toll-free: (877) 825-8621 Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833		D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Stockholders may call toll-free: (888) 605-1956 Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 269-5550


	Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS		1
SUMMARY		8
The Parties		8
The Transactions		9
Structure and Effects of the Transactions		9
Office Depot Special Meeting		12
OfficeMax Special Meeting		13
Recommendation of Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions		14
Recommendation of OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions		14
Opinions of Office Depot’s Financial Advisors		15
Opinion of OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor		15
Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions		16
Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions		17
Board of Directors and Management of the Combined Company Following Completion of the Transactions		18
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Transactions		19
Accounting Treatment of the Transactions		19
Regulatory Approvals Required to Complete the Transactions		20
Treatment of OfficeMax Stock Options and OfficeMax Stock-Based Awards		20
Treatment of OfficeMax Series D Preferred Stock		21
Treatment of Office Depot Convertible Preferred Stock; Agreements with BC Partners		21
Listing of Office Depot Common Stock; Delisting of OfficeMax Common Stock		22
Appraisal Rights		22
Litigation Related to the Transactions		22
No Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals		23
Conditions to Completion of the Transactions		23
Termination of the Merger Agreement		25
Expenses and Termination Fee Relating to the Transactions		25
Comparison of Rights of Common Stockholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax		26
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA		27
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Office Depot		27
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of OfficeMax		29
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION		33
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE INFORMATION		34
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICE DATA AND DIVIDENDS		35
Stock Prices		35
Dividends		36
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		37
RISK FACTORS		39
Risks Relating to the Transactions		39
Risks Relating to the Combined Company after Completion of the Transactions		44
Other Risk Factors of Office Depot and OfficeMax		47
INFORMATION ABOUT OFFICE DEPOT		48
Office Depot, Inc.		48
Dogwood Merger Sub Inc.		48
Dogwood Merger Sub LLC		48
INFORMATION ABOUT OFFICEMAX		49
OfficeMax Incorporated		49
Mapleby Holdings Merger Corporation		49


	Page
Mapleby Merger Corporation		49
OFFICE DEPOT SPECIAL MEETING		50
General		50
Date, Time and Place of the Office Depot Special Meeting		50
Purposes of the Office Depot Special Meeting		50
Recommendation of Office Depot’s Board of Directors		50
Attendance at the Office Depot Special Meeting		51
Record Date		51
Outstanding Shares as of Record Date		51
Shares and Voting of Office Depot’s Directors and Executive Officers		52
Voting Agreement with BC Partners		52
Quorum		52
Vote Required		53
How To Vote		53
Proxies and Revocation		54
Inspector of Election		54
Solicitation of Proxies		55
Adjournments		55
Questions and Additional Information		55
OFFICEMAX SPECIAL MEETING		56
General		56
Date, Time and Place of the OfficeMax Special Meeting		56
Purposes of the OfficeMax Special Meeting		56
Recommendation of OfficeMax’s Board of Directors		57
Attendance at the OfficeMax Special Meeting		57
Record Date		58
Outstanding Shares as of Record Date		58
Shares and Voting of OfficeMax’s Directors and Executive Officers		58
Quorum		59
Vote Required		59
How To Vote		60
Proxies and Revocation		61
Inspector of Election		61
Solicitation of Proxies		61
Adjournments		61
Questions and Additional Information		62
THE TRANSACTIONS		63
Effects of the Transactions		63
Background of the Transactions		66
Recommendation of Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions		80
Recommendation of OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and Reasons for the Transactions		84
Certain Financial Projections Utilized by Office Depot’s Board of Directors and Office Depot’s Financial Advisors		88
Certain Financial Projections Utilized by OfficeMax’s Board of Directors and OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor		90
Important Information About the Unaudited Financial Projections		92
Opinions of Office Depot’s Financial Advisors		93
Opinion of OfficeMax’s Financial Advisor		113
Interests of Certain Office Depot Persons in the Transactions		123
Interests of Certain OfficeMax Persons in the Transactions		129


	Year ended December 28, 2013		Year ended December 27, 2014		Year ended December 26, 2015		Year ended December 31, 2016
	(dollars in millions)
Revenues	$	10,435	$	10,499	$	10,563	$	10,692
EBITDA	$	355	$	433	$	536	$	568
EBIT	$	150	$	221	$	320	$	346


Enterprise Value as a Ratio of:		Range of Multiples
2012 Revenues		0.125x – 0.400x
2012 EBITDA		4.25x – 5.25x
2012 EBIT		6.25x – 6.50x
2013P Revenues		0.125x – 0.400x
2013P EBITDA		4.00x – 5.00x
2013P EBIT		6.00x – 6.50x

Stock Price as a Multiple of:		Range of Multiples
2013P EPS		9.00x – 13.25x
2014P EPS		8.50x – 11.25x


		OfficeMax		Office Depot
Management
	2012 Revenues	$	10.65 - $31.18	$	3.03 - $12.95
	2013P Revenues		10.85 - 31.66		2.92 - 12.55
	2012 EBITDA	$	10.38 - $12.55	$	3.30 - $ 4.45
	2013P EBITDA		11.65 - 14.28		3.31 - 4.53
	2012 EBIT	$	9.64 - $ 9.98	$	1.24 - $ 1.35
	2013P EBIT		11.30 - 12.14		1.53 - 1.79
	2013P EPS	$	7.95 - $11.71	$	0.62 - $ 0.91
	2014P EPS		9.98 - 13.21		2.11 - 2.79
Sensitivity
	2012 Revenues	$	10.65 - $31.18	$	3.03 - $12.95