"I really feel that Office Depot appreciates its employees and you are being treated with respect, regardless of your position. You cannot refer to this at a lot of other companies."
-Hermi Sahuleka
Customer Relations the Netherlands


"This company gives me the opportunity to create and implement new ideas. People here respect each other and talk about opportunities instead of problems. The management gives you the freedom and support to try new ideas."
-Stijn Daems
Warehouse Manager Puurs, Belgium


"We often receive very positive feedback from our customers; we impress them and perform above their expectations."
-Philippine van der Putten
Major Accounts Director

"Office Depot is a company with a clear vision and goals, in which the well being of the employees is very important. The values are not just printed on paper, they are being lived."
-Arno Wiedefeld
Regional Sales Manager
German Contract
Division
Pictured above right
INTERNATIONAL
GLOBAL VIEW
LOCAL FOCUS



More office products are sold outside the U.S. than inside the U.S., and Office Depot expects that, over time, its business will reflect this global marketplace. That's why, over the past few years, the Company has made substantial investments in infrastructure to grow and expand its leadership position in the industry, particularly in Europe.

Office Depot invested significantly in new countries and new channels in 2002. In Europe, in addition to supporting new contract business growth in France, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, it launched new European Business Services Division operations in Italy and Germany. In both new contract countries, Office Depot has been able to leverage its strong brand recognition and operational infrastructure to offer medium- to large-sized businesses a fresh alternative for their office products and business solutions. During the year the Company was also successful in launching corporate business-to-business web sites in the Netherlands, Ireland and France for its contract customers.

In 2002, new market growth was initiated with the launch of the Company's Viking Direct catalog/direct mail operations in Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. The Company also launched new Viking Office Products web sites in existing mail order markets including Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The Company's Viking Direct brand continues to play a key role in Office Depot's international growth strategy by virtue of its superior database marketing capabilities and legendary customer service. Over the past several years, the Company's experienced European management team capitalized on Viking's strong foundation to leverage growth opportunities in retail, contract and e-commerce.

In Japan, Office Depot instituted a number of changes in its business model designed to make the Company more efficient and sales-driven in this high-risk, high-return market. The Company expanded into Central America with new retail stores in Guatemala and Costa Rica through its joint venture licensing agreement with Grupo Gigante, one of the largest retailers in Mexico. Office Depot also moved to strengthen long-term growth in shareholder value by selling its Australian operations.

Overall, the operating performance of this business met expectations for the year despite the more than $50 million of EBIT incurred to fund growth initiatives. Results from the Company's European business in particular continue to outperform the balance of its other businesses, reinforcing the wisdom of the Company's global perspective.

OUR PEOPLE | OUR BRAND | OUR PEOPLE | OUR BRAND

"Office Depot is a dynamic company, distinguishing itself from other companies through the personal approach towards the customers and caring for equality between the management and the employees. We have great teams working in Venlo!"
- Ellen Tosserams
Credit and Collections the Netherlands

"I worked for and with companies which had the values 'on the walls.' At Office Depot I am blessed to work with people who have the values within their hearts. People do make the difference!"
- Hans Reuser
Senior Training Manager Benelux, Germany, Austria and Switzerland
"Office Depot is a growth oriented company and there are new challenges constantly, new perspectives arise often and therefore it never gets boring."
- Sabine Zwinscher
Vice President Marketing Europe

"Because of the growth within Europe, several nice opportunities came up, like supporting the startup in Austria and Spain. These are great experiences!"
- Achim Freitag
Customer Relations Manager German Business Services the Netherlands