Staples, Inc. Receives Approval from Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to Acquire Office Depot
August 13 2015 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) today announced that it has
received clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission for the acquisition of Office Depot. Staples continues
to seek clearance from regulatory agencies in the United States,
the European Union and Canada.
The Commerce Commission of New Zealand and the Ministry of
Commerce of the People’s Republic of China previously gave their
clearance for the transaction in June.
“We continue to make progress on this transaction, and we’re
pleased with this decision by the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission,” said Ron Sargent, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Staples, Inc. “We continue to work closely with
regulatory agencies around the world and expect the transaction to
be completed by the end of the year.”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission release can
be found here:
http://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-will-not-oppose-global-stationery-acquisition
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In connection with the proposed merger, Staples has filed with
the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy
statement of Office Depot that also constitutes a prospectus of
Staples. Staples filed the final proxy statement/prospectus with
the SEC on May 18, 2015. The registration statement was declared
effective by the SEC on May 15, 2015. Office Depot mailed the
definitive proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders of Office
Depot on or about May 19, 2015. The registration statement and the
proxy statement/prospectus contain important information about
Staples, Office Depot, the transaction and related matters.
Investors and security holders are urged to read the registration
statement and the proxy statement/prospectus (including all
amendments and supplements thereto) carefully.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the
registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other
documents filed with the SEC by Staples and Office Depot through
the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free
copies of the registration statement and the definitive proxy
statement/prospectus from Staples by contacting Staples’ Investor
Relations Department at 800-468-7751 or from Office Depot by
contacting Office Depot’s Investor Relations Department at
561-438-7878.
SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this document regarding the proposed transaction
between Staples and Office Depot, the expected timetable for
completing the transaction, future financial and operating results,
benefits and synergies of the transaction, future opportunities for
the combined company and any other statements about Staples or
Office Depot managements’ future expectations, beliefs, goals,
plans or prospects constitute forward looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any statements that are not statements of historical fact
(including statements containing “believes,” “anticipates,”
“plans,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “intends,” “estimates”
and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward
looking statements. There are a number of important factors that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward looking statements, including: the
ability to consummate the transaction; the risk that regulatory
approvals required for the merger are not obtained or are obtained
subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the risk that the
financing required to fund the transaction is not obtained; the
risk that the other conditions to the closing of the merger are not
satisfied; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or
employee relationships, including those resulting from the
announcement or completion of the merger; uncertainties as to the
timing of the merger; competitive responses to the proposed merger;
response by activist shareholders to the merger; uncertainty of the
expected financial performance of the combined company following
completion of the proposed transaction; the ability to successfully
integrate Staples’ and Office Depot’s operations and employees; the
ability to realize anticipated synergies and cost savings;
unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the merger;
litigation relating to the merger; the outcome of pending or
potential litigation or governmental investigations; the inability
to retain key personnel; any changes in general economic and/or
industry specific conditions; and the other factors described in
Staples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31,
2015 and Office Depot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 27, 2014 and their most recent Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q each filed with the SEC. Staples and Office Depot
disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward looking
statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of
this document.
About Staples
Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and
more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and
delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and
whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile
devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as
technology, facilities and break room supplies, furniture, safety
supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Staples
also offers free shipping for Staples Rewards Members, in most
cases overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates
in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New
Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at
www.staples.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150813005595/en/
Staples, Inc.Media Contact:Kirk Saville,
508-253-8530kirk.saville@staples.comorInvestor Contact:Chris
Powers, 508-253-4632Christopher.powers@staples.comorKevin Barry,
508-253-1487kevin.barry@staples.com
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