Staple’s application to acquire Office Depot

Statement of preliminary issues for Staple’s application to acquire Office Depot

The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application from Staples, Inc to acquire all of the shares in Office Depot, Inc.

The statement of preliminary issues outlines the key competition issues that the Commission currently considers will be important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance.

The Commission invites submissions from parties who consider that they have information relevant to the Commission’s consideration of this matter.

Submissions can be sent to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference Staples / Office Depot in the subject line of your email or to PO Box 2351, Wellington 6140 by close of business Friday 1 May 2015.

The Statement of Preliminary Issues and public version of the application can be found on the Clearances Register.

Background
Staples and Office Depot are two USA-based companies that supply work place products in a number of countries, including New Zealand.

In New Zealand, Staples operates through Staples New Zealand Limited and Office Depot operates through OfficeMax New Zealand Limited, Croxley Stationery Limited and Armidale Industries Limited.

Staples NZ and OfficeMax NZ supply a range of products to businesses, government agencies and other institutional buyers. These include commercial stationery, cafeteria supplies, office furniture, educational supplies, cleaning products and packaging supplies.

Both Staples NZ and OfficeMax NZ sell their products direct and online to their customers. OfficeMax NZ also operates 16 retail office products stores.

Croxley is a manufacturer, importer and wholesaler of stationery and technology products while Armidale is a manufacturer and wholesaler of suspension filing systems.

ENDS

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