Staples Launches The Third Invention Quest(R) and Calls On Kids to Think Big for Inaugural Invention Quest(R) Kids.

The Quest is On to Find the Next Great Easy Office Product to Make Work and School Life Easier!

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Today, Staples Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) launches its third annual Staples Invention Quest(R) challenging its customers to be the brains behind the next great office product. New this year is Staples(R) Invention Quest(R) Kids(R). In collaboration with By Kids for Kids Co. (BKFK(TM)), Staples is giving kids up to the age of 18 the chance to bring their ideas for easy school or office products to fruition. Furthering Staples' commitment to making it easy, Staples Invention Quest(R) helps uncover even more new office products that simplify the work day.

"Through Invention Quest(R), Staples' customers of all ages may be the mastermind behind the next must-have product that will make their lives easier," said Jevin Eagle, senior vice president of Staples Brands for Staples, Inc. "Invention Quest furthers our brand commitment to creating the world's best office products."

"Kids are natural inventors. In fact, the calculator was invented by Blaise Pascal at the age of 18 and the electronic television by Philo Farnsworth at the age of 14," said Norman Goldstein, Founder and CEO of By Kids For Kids. "Staples Invention Quest(R) Kids is a great platform for parents and teachers nationwide to motivate kids to use their imagination and potentially come up with the next big thing."

Last year's winner, Sarah Pantaleo of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, beat out approximately 14,000 other entries with her Spindex(TM) product. The Spindex(TM), which is now for sale at Staples stores nationwide, allows users to separate recorded CDs from blank ones on their spindle rack via an easy organization system. Additional Invention Quest(TM) products that hit shelves this fall as Staples brand products include DigiDots(TM), which allows users to adhere their CD files where they are most accessible, and DigiFiles(TM), which creates an easy, stylish way to organize CDs via tabbed divider cases.

"In college, I always noticed people looking for products to help simplify their daily routines," said Sarah Pantaleo, 2005 Invention Quest Winner. "Staples Invention Quest(R) allowed me to bring my idea of the Spindex(TM) to life, offering people a way to easily keep track of all their CD files."

Office products play a significant role in people's daily routines nationwide. According to a recent Staples survey of more than 500 business people across the country, as conducted by Survey Sampling International, Staples discovered:

-- When asked which office product is most apt to leave their desk and never return, 73 percent of respondents named their favorite pen

-- 31 percent of respondents most identified with the self-adhesive note, as they strive to always remember important information

-- Among office products that are listed as useless or frustrating are the copy machine, with 42 percent of respondents expressing dismay at its constant malfunctions, and the floppy disk, with 51 percent proclaiming it is near office extinction

The deadline to enter Staples Invention Quest(R) is November 27, 2006, and the winner will be announced April 2007. Everyone is invited to enter Staples Invention Quest(R) at any Staples store nationwide, or by logging onto www.staples.com/IQ for an entry form and complete list of rules and eligibility requirements.

Multiple finalists' products may be brought to market under the Staples brand and sold exclusively by Staples in its nearly 1,300 U.S. stores and on Staples.com. A panel of judges will select the best Staples Invention Quest(R) and Staples Invention Quest(R) Kids product entry and a winner from each category will receive $25,000 and royalties if Staples brings the winning product to its shelves. Eight semi-finalists, consisting of four kids and four adults, will be awarded cash prizes of $5,000 and the possibility to have their idea created and sold by Staples.

About By Kids For Kids Co.

By Kids For Kids Co., a closely held corporation based in Stamford, Conn., is the leading global marketing, branding and licensing company dedicated to making kids' ideas a reality. Their mission is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all kids. In addition to providing free support and educational resources to the world's children, BKFK(TM) provides entrepreneurial experiences for young inventors and supports the entire ideation through commercialization process. Learn more at: www.bkfk.com

About Staples Brands

Staples offers its customers more than 2,000 Staples brand products in stores, on 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 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.