Staples Unleashes New Ferocious MailMate(TM) Junk Mail Shredder In American Kitchens

Staples Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today the launch of the Staples MailMateTM junk mail shredder, an innovative product designed to help consumers combat identity theft from the comfort of their kitchen or home office. Ferocious and compact, the Staples MailMateTM shreds unopened junk mail, bank statements, CDs and credit cards and makes protecting your personal information easy. "Based on the insight that almost everyone opens their mail in the kitchen, we wanted to create a shredding solution that fits into everyday life,” said Jevin Eagle, senior vice president of Staples Brands. "The Staples MailMateTM is powerful, compact, and sleek and is perhaps the most innovative product we have created at Staples.” Research conducted by Staples shows that many people throw their unwanted junk mail, which often contains sensitive data, into the kitchen garbage. With that in mind, Staples created the first shredder designed to blend into the kitchen environment and sit right on the counter top next to the coffee maker and toaster. It’s surprisingly easy for thieves to steal your identity. Something as simple as a home address on a credit card offer can provide enough information for a criminal to compromise your identity. There are more than 212 billion mailings annually(a) ranging from credit card offers, bank statements, and other confidential information. Nearly one in five Americans has already been victimized(b) and identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. The Staples MailMate,TM which retails for $69.99 is the perfect way consumers can protect themselves. Here’s what makes Staples MailMateTM so unique: Compact size fits where you open your mail, from kitchen countertops to home offices; Heavy duty motor shreds unopened junk mail into confetti-sized pieces, including those annoying fake credit cards; Sleek design and stainless steel trim gives the look of a high-end appliance, with the power of a 20-sheet shredder; Lightweight pull-out bin is easy to empty. The Staples MailMateTM is the latest example of how Staples continues to add new products to its exclusive line of shredders to help customers prevent their confidential information from getting into the wrong hands. About Staples Brands Staples offers its customers more than 2,000 Staples brand products in stores, Staples.com and through catalogs. Products range from ink and toner to paper, filing systems and technology accessories. All Staples products undergo an intense independent laboratory quality-testing program and are 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed. About Staples Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 69,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2005 sales of $16.1 billion, Staples technology, furniture, and business services. With 2005 sales of $16.1 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than 1,800 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com. (a) United States Postal Service [2005] (b) Source: Privacy & American Business and Deloitte & Touche LLP [2005]