Dell and Staples announce retail agreement

Staples Inc. and Dell Inc. today announced that starting on 11^th November, customers will be able to purchase a wide assortment of Dell notebook and desktop computers, monitors, printers, ink and toner at 1,400 Staples stores.

Staples, a popular retail destination for printing, will be the only office superstore to offer Dell products in stores and through its web site.

As part of its ongoing efforts to extend the advantages of its direct business model, Dell’s relationship with Staples is the latest in a series of retail agreements aimed at reaching more customers worldwide.

Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell, commented “With Staples, we are underscoring our commitment to listen to customers and deliver what they want – new and exciting ways to experience Dell’s award winning products with the same great prices and convenience.”

The initial products offered at Staples will include Inspiron 1721 and 1521 notebooks, Inspiron 530 desktops, Dell 948 and 926 all-in-one inkjet printers, Dell 1320c laser printer, Dell SE198WFP 19-inch widescreen flat panel LCD monitor, and the Dell E228WFP 22-inch widescreen flat panel LCD monitor. Additionally, Staples will offer ink and toner for most Dell printers.

“We know our customers will appreciate the ability to see, touch and immediately take Dell products to the home or office,” said Ron Sargent, Chairman and CEO of Staples.

Companies partner on environmental initiatives

Staples today announced that it plans to join Dell’s ‘Plant a Forest for Me’ initiative, which enables organisations worldwide to share best practice and, as partners, facilitate the planting of trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects.

In addition, as part of its EcoEasy initiative, Staples will offer office technology recycling in its US stores every day for a $10 fee, from 11^th-17^th November, customers can recycle office technology for free with the purchase of any Dell desktop, notebook, printer or monitor at Staples US stores. Staples will also continue its industry leading ink and toner recycling program in which customers can recycle Dell ink cartridges at Staples stores in exchange for a $3 coupon to be used on a future ink purchase.

With this announcement Dell products are now available in more than 10,000 stores around the globe. By providing new products and services, and multiple ways to connect with Dell – via the Internet, over the phone and now at select retail outlets – Dell expects to connect with new customers and increase sales in all regions. Dell recently announced relationships with Gome stores in China, Bic Camera Inc. in Japan, Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. and Wal-Mart in the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world’s largest office products company. With 74,000 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 2006 sales of $18.2 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and