Office Depot Recognized as One of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, today announced that the Company was named to the 2012 list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The award is the only national recognition honoring corporations for world-class programs that level the playing field for women’s business enterprises (WBEs) to compete for corporate business. This marks the eleventh year that Office Depot has been included on the selective list.

“We are committed to actively conducting business with WBENC-certified women's business enterprises, and encourage breaking down barriers and uncovering new growth opportunities for women business owners.”

“We are honored to be recognized by WBENC for the dedication Office Depot has demonstrated to supporting the success, growth and advancement of women-owned businesses,” said Michael Allison, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Office Depot. “We are committed to actively conducting business with WBENC-certified women's business enterprises, and encourage breaking down barriers and uncovering new growth opportunities for women business owners.”

In its inclusion on WBENC's list, Office Depot was specifically lauded for the Company's Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Catalog. Office Depot created the first and only annual HUB Catalog for the office supplies industry in 2009, which features the Company’s complete assortment of products sold by HUB vendors. Today, the catalog contains over 1,600 products offered by certified HUBs. This initiative not only fuels growth in sales, inventory turnover, and market expansion for these enterprises, it also provides a simple, straightforward mechanism to help business customers meet their diversity purchasing goals.

“Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of our top corporations, women’s businesses are generating strategies and solutions for meeting the fast-changing needs of today’s marketplace. Together they are driving the innovation that fuels a stronger economy and creates jobs,” said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC.

Since becoming a corporate member of WBENC in 2000, Office Depot has participated in numerous WBENC networking events and initiatives, including co-chairing WBENC’s 2012 National Conference & Business Fair which took place in Orlando, Fla.

About WBENC

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation's corporations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is also the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with nearly 11,000 WBENC-Certified WBEs. WBENC certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. Throughout the year, WBENC and its 14 Regional Partner Organizations provide opportunities for interactions between more than 550 member corporations, government agencies and thousands of certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs. For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.

About Office Depot

Office Depot provides office supplies and services through 1,629 worldwide retail stores, a dedicated sales force, top-rated catalogs, and global e-commerce operations. Office Depot has annual sales of approximately $10.7 billion, employs about 38,000 associates, and serves customers in 59 countries around the world.

Office Depot’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.