<PAGE>



                                                                    Exhibit 10.8

                                  STAPLES, INC.

                     FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                January 26, 2004


THIS FIRST AMENDMENT dated January 26, 2004 (this "Amendment"), is entered into
by and between Thomas G. Stemberg (the "Employee") and Staples, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company").

                                   BACKGROUND

The Company and the Employee entered into an Employment Agreement dated as of
February 3, 2002 (the "Original Agreement"), which among other things provided
for the employment of the Employee by the Company, certain duties to be
performed by the Employee and the compensation to be paid to him therefor.
Defined terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the definitions
given them in the Original Agreement.

Under the Original Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to the Employee a
number of options and PARS that is based on the number of options and PARS
granted annually to the Chief Executive Officer. The Company is contemplating
changing its equity compensation program to discontinue the issuance of PARS.
The Company is also contemplating a special retention grant of restricted shares
(not PARS) to senior executives.

The parties hereto wish to amend the Original Agreement so that it reflects the
original intent of the parties to the fullest extent possible notwithstanding
the planned changes to the Company's equity compensation program and the planned
special retention grants of restricted stock. The parties also wish to extend
the Employee's obligations under the Non-Compete Agreement for an additional two
years and make certain other changes to the Original Agreement as set forth
herein.

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Therefore, the parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants contained in this Amendment, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,
hereby agree as follows:

1.   AMENDMENT. The Original Agreement shall be and hereby is amended as
     follows:

     (a)  The second sentence of Section 3.1(a) of the Original Agreement
          referring to equity compensation to the Employee during the period
          beginning on the Effective Date and ending on January 31, 2004, is
          hereby deleted in its entirety.


                                       1


<PAGE>


     (b)  The second sentence of Section 3.1(b) of the Original Agreement
          referring to equity compensation to the Employee during the period
          from January 31, 2004 to the end of the Initial Period is hereby
          deleted in its entirety.

2.   EQUITY COMPENSATION. As equity compensation for services provided under the
     Original Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Employee the following
     grants:

     (a)  RESTRICTED STOCK. The Company shall issue to the Employee shares of
          restricted Common Stock of the Company in the following amounts at the
          following times: (i) 200,000 shares within seven (7) days after the
          date hereof; (ii) 75,000 shares on December 15, 2004; and (iii) 75,000
          shares on December 15, 2005. Each such grant shall be subject to a
          restricted stock agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A,
          which shall be executed by the parties hereto, and which shall provide
          that such shares shall vest upon the earlier of (I) the end of the
          Initial Period and (II) the occurrence of a Change in Control of the
          Company.

     (b)  STOCK OPTIONS. The Company shall issue to the Employee options to
          purchase shares of Company Common Stock in the following amounts at
          the following times: (i) 262,500 shares on July 1, 2004 and (ii)
          262,500 shares on July 1, 2005. Each such grant shall be subject to a
          stock option agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, which
          shall be executed by the parties hereto, and which shall provide that
          such options shall vest upon the earlier of (I) in the case of the
          July 1, 2004 issuance only, January 17, 2005; (II) the end of the
          Initial Period and (III) the occurrence of a Change in Control of the
          Company. The options granted under this section 2(b) shall be entitled
          to the benefits of Section 3.2(b) of the Original Agreement.

     (c)  NO OTHER EQUITY COMPENSATION. Except as specifically provided in
          Sections 2(a) and (b) of this Amendment and regardless of any stock
          options, shares of restricted stock or other forms of equity
          compensation that may be granted on the date hereof or hereafter for
          any reason to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or any other
          employee of the Company, the Employee shall not on or after the date
          hereof be entitled to any Company stock options, restricted stock or
          other forms of equity compensation from the Company for any reason
          whatsoever whether under the Original Agreement as amended hereby or
          otherwise. The Employee acknowledges that the Company is contemplating
          changing its equity compensation program for employees and making
          special retention grants to certain executives and agrees that no such
          changes or grants shall entitle him to receive any equity compensation
          except as provided in Sections 2(a) and (b) hereof.

3.   VESTING.

     (a)  The Restricted Stock Agreement dated May 1, 2002, pursuant to which
          the Company issued to the Employee 300,000 shares of restricted Common
          Stock of the Company under Section 3.1(d) of the Original Agreement is
          hereby


                                       2


<PAGE>


          amended to change the date on which the restricted shares vest to the
          earlier of (I) the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company
          and (II) March 1, 2004, with respect to 167,000 of the shares, and
          February 1, 2005, with respect to the remaining 133,000 shares.

     (b)  The PARS Agreement dated October 1, 2002, under which the Company
          issued to the Employee 100,000 PARS is hereby amended to change the
          date on which the PARS vest to the earlier of (I) the occurrence of a
          Change in Control of the Company, and (II) February 1, 2005, with
          respect to 34,000 of the PARS, and February 1, 2006, with respect to
          the remaining 66,000 PARS.

     (c)  The PARS Agreement dated December 8, 2003, under which the Company
          issued to the Employee 100,000 PARS is hereby amended to change the
          date on which the PARS vest to the earlier of (I) February 1, 2006,
          and (II) the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company.

4.   NON-COMPETE. The second sentence of Section 6.2 of the Original Agreement
     is hereby amended so that the activity proscribed under the Non-Compete
     Agreement shall be prohibited until 48 months after the end of the Initial
     Period, rather than 24 months after the end of the Initial Period as
     currently provided.

5.   SPLIT DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE. The first sentence of Section 3.2(b) of the
     Original Agreement is hereby amended to provide that the Employee's
     existing split dollar life insurance policy provided by the Company shall
     be terminated. In lieu thereof, the Company shall make annual payments to
     the Employee in an amount equal to the premium that would have been payable
     under the policy for that year. In addition, the Company shall also pay an
     amount so that the net amount realized by the Employee after state and
     federal income taxes equals such premiums, assuming that the Employee pays
     state and federal income taxes in those years at the highest applicable
     rate. Such annual payments shall be made on April 1 of each year, beginning
     with April 1, 2004 and ending on April 1, 2014. The Company's obligations
     to make such payments shall be terminated earlier on the first to occur of
     (a) the death of the Employee and (b) termination of the Employee's
     employment with the Company pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Original
     Agreement. The parties agree and acknowledge that the annual premium
     payable under the existing policy is $81,722 per year.

6.   NO DEFAULTS. Each party acknowledges to and agrees with the other that the
     other is not in default under the Original Agreement and is in full
     compliance therewith as of the date hereof.

7.   RELEASES.

     (a)  The Employee hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and
          discharges the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders,
          corporate affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and employees (each in
          their individual and corporate capacities)(hereinafter, the "Released
          Parties") from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action,
          suits, rights, liabilities, obligations,


                                       3


<PAGE>


          promises, agreements, controversies, losses and debts of any nature
          whatsoever (collectively, "Claims") which the Employee now has or ever
          had against the Released Parties.

     (b)  The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases and
          discharges the Employee, his heirs and administrators, and each of
          them, from any and all Claims which the Company now has or ever had
          against the Employee.

     (c)  It is understood that the releases set forth in this Section 5 shall
          not apply to: (i) any claims of the parties under the Original
          Agreement, as amended hereby, arising after the date hereof, (ii) any
          Claims relating to indemnification of the Employee under the
          Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or relating to
          the Employee's right to be indemnified under any D&O insurance policy
          maintained by the Company from time to time and (iii) any Claims
          relating to benefit plans or programs of the Company in which the
          Employee participates.

8.   GENERAL

     (a)  FULL FORCE AND EFFECT. Except as specifically amended hereby, the
          Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the
          parties shall remain bound thereby.

     (b)  ADJUSTMENTS. All share numbers used herein shall be appropriately
          adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events
          affecting the Staples Common Stock; and, following any
          reclassification, recapitalization or other transaction in which all
          outstanding shares of Staples Common Stock are exchanged for cash,
          securities or other property, all references to a share of Common
          Stock shall refer to the cash, securities or other property issued in
          respect of a share of Staples Common Stock.

     (c)  NO OTHER AGREEMENTS. The Original Agreement as amended hereby
          represents the entire agreement between the parties as to the subject
          matter hereof, and supercedes any other understanding or commitments
          with respect to such subject matter.

THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AMENDMENT AND
UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE PROVISIONS IN THIS AMENDMENT.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the day and
year set forth above.


                                       4


<PAGE>


STAPLES, INC.                               EMPLOYEE

By: /s/ JAMES L. MOODY, JR                  /s/ THOMAS G. STEMBERG
    ----------------------                  ----------------------
Title: LEAD DIRECTOR                        Thomas G. Stemberg
       -------------














                                       5


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit A


                                  STAPLES, INC.
                        RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT


THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of January 26,
2004, is entered into by Staples, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Staples" or the
"Company") and Thomas G. Stemberg (the "Executive").

1.   AWARD. In consideration of services rendered, and pursuant to Staples'
     Employment Agreement with Executive dated February 3, 2002, as amended
     January 26, 2004 ("Employment Agreement"), the Company awards to the
     Executive, pursuant to Staples' 1992 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan")_,
     ______________ (____) Shares of Common Restricted Stock of Staples (the
     "Shares") subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
     Plan. The Shares shall be awarded effective as of _______________. Except
     where the context otherwise requires, the term "Staples" shall include any
     parent and all present and future subsidiaries of Staples as defined in
     Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
     or replaced from time to time (the "Code").

2.   TRANSFERABILITY OF SHARES. Until the Vesting Date described below, the
     Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or
     otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) nor shall
     the Shares be subject to execution, attachment or similar process, except
     that the Shares may be transferred by will or the laws of descent and
     distribution or, upon notice to Staples, for estate planning purposes to
     entities that are beneficially owned entirely by family members. All
     transferees of the Shares must agree to be governed by all of the terms and
     conditions of this Agreement. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
     hypothecation or other disposition, or any attempt to sell, assign,
     transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose, of the Shares contrary
     to the provisions hereof, or upon the levy of any execution, attachment or
     similar process upon the Shares or such rights, the Shares shall, at the
     election of Staples, be deemed repurchased by Staples at a repurchase price
     of zero and all rights with respect to the Shares shall be forfeited to
     Staples. In addition, Staples may seek any other legal or equitable
     remedies available to it, including rights of specific performance. Staples
     may refuse to recognize as a shareholder of Staples any purported
     transferee of or holder of any rights with respect to the Shares and may
     retain and/or recover all dividends payable or paid with respect to such
     Shares.

3.   VESTING OF SHARES. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
     transfer restrictions on the Shares shall lapse, and the Shares shall be
     considered to "vest", on the earlier of (the "Vesting Date") (a) the end of
     the Initial Period (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and (b) the
     occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement).

4.   VESTING DATE.

          (a) VESTING UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY OR RETIREMENT. If the Executive's
     employment with Staples is terminated pursuant to Section 4(b) of the
     Employment Agreement prior to the Vesting Date, the Shares shall vest fully
     in accordance with this Section 4(a).

          (b) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. If (i) the Executive's employment with
     Staples is terminated by Staples pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Employment
     Agreement, (ii) the Executive's employment with Staples is terminated prior
     to the Vesting Date pursant to Section 4(d) of the Employment Agreement and
     Staples determines within 60 days thereafter that the Executive's conduct
     prior to such termination waranted a termination under Section 4(a) of the
     Employment Agreement, or (iii) Staples determines that the Executive's
     conduct after termination of his employment with Staples fails to comply
     with the terms of any non-competition, non-solicitation or confidentiality
     provision contained in any employment, consulting, advisory, proprietary
     information, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other
     similar agreement between the Executive and Staples, then, without limiting
     any other remedy available to Staples, the Shares shall be deemed
     repurchased by Staples at a repurchase price of zero and ownership of all
     right, title and interest in and to the Shares shall be forfeited and
     revert to Staples as of the date of such determination; or, if the
     Executive at such time no longer owns such Shares, Staples shall be
     entitled to recover from the Executive the gross profit earned by the
     Executive upon the disposition (whether by sale, gift, donation or
     otherwise) of such Shares.

          (c) RESIGNATION. In the event of a termination of the Executive's
     employment with Staples pursuant to Section 4(d) of the Employment
     Agreement prior to the Vesting Date, without limiting any other remedy
     available to Staples, the Shares shall be deemed repurchased by Staples at
     a repurchase price of zero and ownership of all right, title and interest
     in and to the Shares shall be forfeited and revert to Staples as of the
     date of such determination.

          (d) REPURCHASE/FORFEITURE. Upon repurchase/forfeiture of the Shares
     for any reason hereunder, the Executive shall cease to have any rights or
     privileges as a stockholder of Staples with respect to the Shares
     repurchased/forfeited and such Shares shall again be available for
     subsequent option grants or awards under the Plan.

5.   DELIVERY OF SHARES. Staples shall, upon the Date of Award, effect issuance
     of the Shares by registering the Shares in book entry form with Staples'
     transfer agent in the name of the Executive. No certificate(s) representing
     all or a part of the Shares shall be issued until vesting.

6.   NO SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT OR SIMILAR RIGHTS. Nothing contained in the Plan or
     this Agreement shall be construed or deemed by any person under any
     circumstances to bind Staples to continue the employment or other
     relationship of the Executive with Staples for the period prior to or after
     vesting.



                                     1 of 2
                                   Rev. 1/2004


<PAGE>



7.   RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Executive
     shall have all rights as a shareholder with respect to the Shares
     including, without limitation, any rights to receive dividends or non-cash
     distributions with respect to the Shares and to vote the Shares and act in
     respect of the Shares at any meeting of shareholders.

8.   ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.

          (a) GENERAL. If, through or as a result of any merger, consolidation,
     sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Staples, liquidation,
     reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
     split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction, (i) the
     outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased or are
     exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of
     Staples or other business entity, or (ii) additional shares or new or
     different shares or other securities of Staples or other business entity or
     other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common
     Stock or other securities, the Executive shall, with respect to the Shares,
     be entitled to the same rights and benefits, and be subject to the same
     limitations, as any holder of outstanding shares of Common Stock, provided
     that any shares, other securities, property or non-cash assets issued or
     distributed with respect to the Shares shall be considered Shares and
     subject, on a proportionate basis, to the restrictions and provisions of
     this Agreement applicable to the Shares and Section 15 of the Plan.

          (b) BOARD AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. Any adjustments under this
     Section 8 will be made by the Board of Directors, whose determination as to
     what adjustments, if any, will be made and the extent thereof will be
     final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares will be issued with
     respect to Shares on account of any such adjustments.

9.   WITHHOLDING TAXES. Staples' obligation to vest the Shares shall be subject
     to the Executive's satisfaction of all applicable federal, state and local
     income and employment tax withholding requirements. Executive may satisfy
     such withholding obligation by delivering to Staples a number of the Shares
     having a fair market value (as determined in accordance with the Plan)
     equal to such withholding obligation.

10.  MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a) Except as provided herein, this Agreement may not be amended or
     otherwise modified unless evidenced in writing and signed by Staples and
     the Executive.

          (b) All notices under this Agreement shall be mailed or delivered by
     hand to Staples at its main office, Attn: Secretary, and to the Executive
     to his or her last known address on the employment records of Staples or at
     such other address as may be designated in writing by either of the parties
     to one another.

          (c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
     with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.



     THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND
     UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS.



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day
     and year set forth above.



     STAPLES, INC.                            THOMAS G. STEMBERG



     BY:  _______________________________     __________________________________

     TITLE:                                   ADDRESS:  ________________________

     500 STAPLES DRIVE                                  ________________________

     FRAMINGHAM, MA  01702


                                     2 of 2
                                   Rev. 1/2004



<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit B


STOCK OPTION GRANT                   STAPLES, INC.
                                     Employer ID: 04-2896127
                                     500 Staples Drive
                                     Framingham, MA 01702


================================================================================


                                          ACCOUNT ID:            AccountID
FirstName MiddleName LastName             LOCATION:              ExtraField2
Address1
Address2
Address3
City, State Zip
Country

You have been granted an option to purchase Staples, Inc. Common Stock as
follows:

         Type of Option:                             Non-Qualified Stock Option
         Grant No.:                                                 GrantNumber
         Stock Option Plan:                                                1992
         Date of Grant:                                               GrantDate
         Total Number of Option Shares:                           SharesGranted
         Option Price per Share:                                 US$OptionPrice
         Total Exercise Price of Option Shares:             US$TotalOptionPrice

                                                             NUMBER OF SHARES
              VESTING DATE                               VESTING ON VESTING DATE

                                                         [Tie to definitions in
                                                          Employment Agreement
                                                               As necessary]

By your acceptance of this Stock Option Grant, you agree that this option is
granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of Staples, Inc.'s 1992
Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time) and by the terms and
conditions of Staples, Inc.'s Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (TGS-1/2004),
which is attached hereto.

You understand and agree that this Stock Option Grant is being awarded to you in
exchange for your execution of that certain Employment Agreement between you and
Staples, Inc., dated February 3, 2002, amended January ___, 2004 (the
"Employment Agreement).

Staples, Inc.                                          Employee

/s/ Ronald L. Sargent

Ronald L. Sargent                                      Thomas G. Stemberg
President and Chief Executive Officer

Attachment:  Staples, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement  (TGS-1/2004)



                                   TGS -1/2004


<PAGE>


                                  STAPLES, INC.
                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


1.   GRANT OF OPTION. Staples, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Staples"), hereby
grants to the Optionee named in the accompanying Stock Option Grant (the "Option
Grant") the option, pursuant to Staples' Stock Option Plan noted in the Option
Grant (the "Plan")and subject to the terms of the Employment Agreement between
the Optionee and Staples dated February 3, 2002, as amended (the "Employment
Agreement"), to purchase an aggregate of the Total Number of Option Shares of
Common Stock of Staples stated in the Option Grant at a price per share equal to
the Option Price per Share stated in the Option Grant, purchasable as set forth
in and subject to the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement and the
Plan. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term "Staples" shall
include the parent and all present and future subsidiaries of Staples as defined
in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
or replaced from time to time (the "Code").

2.   NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION. This option is not intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

3.   EXERCISE OF OPTION AND PROVISIONS FOR TERMINATION.

     (a) VESTING SCHEDULE. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this
option may be exercised, in whole or in part, from time to time, up to and
including January 28, 2012 (hereinafter the "Expiration Date"). This option
shall become exercisable (or "vest") on the "Vesting Date" as set forth in the
Option Grant. This option may not be exercised at any time on or after the
Expiration Date.

     (b) EXERCISE PROCEDURE. Subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, this option shall be exercised by the Optionee's delivery of written
notice of exercise to the Secretary of Staples, specifying the Date of Grant of
this Option Agreement, the number of shares to be purchased and the purchase
price to be paid therefor and accompanied by payment in full in accordance with
Section 4. Such exercise shall be effective upon receipt by the Secretary of
Staples of such written notice together with the required payment. The Optionee
may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby, provided that no
partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share or for fewer
than ten whole shares.

     (c) VESTING AND EXERCISE PERIOD UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY. If the Optionee's
employment with Staples is terminated pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Employment
Agreement prior to the Expiration Date, this option shall become fully
exercisable for 100% of the Total Number of Option Shares and may be exercised
within the period of 12 months following the termination date (or, if earlier,
by the Expiration Date) by the Optionee or by the person to whom this option is
transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as otherwise
indicated by the context, the term "Optionee," as used in this option, shall be
deemed to include the estate of the Optionee or any person who acquires the
right to exercise this option by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason
of the death of the Optionee.

     (d) VESTING AND EXERCISE PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the
event of a Change in Control of Staples (as defined in the Employment
Agreement), this option shall become fully exercisable for 100% of the Total
Number of Option Shares. If the Optionee's employment with Staples is terminated
pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Employment Agreement prior to the Expiration
Date, this option may be exercised within the period of 12 months following the
termination date (or, if earlier, by the Expiration Date).

     (e) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR RESIGNATION. If the Optionee's employment with
Staples is terminated during the Initial Period (as that term is defined in the
Employment Agreement) pursuant to Section 4(a) or (d) of the Employment
Agreement, this option shall be exercisable within the period of 60 days
following the date of such termination (or, if earlier, by the Expiration Date),
provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that this
option was exercisable by the Optionee on the date of such termination and only
with respect to the number of shares that was vested on the date of such
termination.

     (f) VIOLATION OF NON-COMPETE. If (a) Optionee's employment with Staples is
terminated at any time after the Initial Period (as defined in the Employment
Agreement) pursuant to Section 4(a) of the Employment Agreement, (b) Optionee's
employment with Staples is terminated at any time after the Initial Period
purusant to Section 4(d) of the Employment Agreement and Staples determines
within 60 days thereafter that the Optionee's conduct prior to such termination
warranted a termination under Section 4(a) of the Employment Agreement, or (c)
Staples determines that the Optionee's conduct after termination of his
employment with Staples fails to comply with the terms of any non-competition,
non-solicitation or confidentiality provision contained in any employment,
consulting, advisory, proprietary information, non-disclosure, non-competition,
non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the Optionee and Staples,
then (x) the right to exercise this option with respect to any shares not
previously exercised shall terminate immediately, and (y) without limiting any
other remedy available to Staples, Staples shall be entitled to repurchase from
the Optionee at the Exercise Price the shares of Common Stock previously
purchased by the Optionee hereunder, or, if the Optionee at such time no longer
owns such shares, Staples shall be entitled to recover from the Optionee the
gross profit earned by the Optionee upon the purchase and disposition (whether
by sale, gift, donation or otherwise) of such shares.

4.  PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE.

     (a) METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the purchase price for shares purchased
upon exercise of this option shall be made (i) by delivery to Staples of cash or
a check to the order of Staples in an amount equal to the purchase price of such
shares, (ii) subject to the consent of Staples, by delivery to Staples of shares
of Common Stock of Sta-


                                     1 of 3


<PAGE>


ples then owned by the Optionee having a fair market value equal in amount to
the purchase price of such shares, (iii) by any other means which the Board of
Directors determines are consistent with the purpose of the Plan and with
applicable laws and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions
of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Regulation T
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board), or (iv) by any combination of such
methods of payment.

     (b) VALUATION OF SHARES OR OTHER NON-CASH CONSIDERATION TENDERED IN PAYMENT
OF PURCHASE PRICE. For the purposes hereof, the fair market value of any share
of Staples' Common Stock or other non-cash consideration which may be delivered
to Staples in exercise of this option shall be determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of Staples.

     (c) DELIVERY OF SHARES TENDERED IN PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. If the
Optionee exercises this option by delivery of shares of Common Stock of Staples,
the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Common Stock of
Staples to be delivered shall be duly executed in blank by the Optionee or shall
be accompanied by a stock power duly executed in blank suitable for purposes of
transferring such shares to Staples. Fractional shares of Common Stock of
Staples will not be accepted in payment of the purchase price of shares acquired
upon exercise of this option.

5.   DELIVERY OF SHARES; COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS, ETC.

     (a) GENERAL. Staples shall, upon payment of the option price for the number
of shares purchased and paid for, make prompt delivery of such shares to the
Optionee, provided that if any law or regulation requires Staples to take any
action with respect to such shares before the issuance thereof, then the date of
delivery of such shares shall be extended for the period necessary to complete
such action.

     (b) LISTING, QUALIFICATION, ETC. This option shall be subject to the
requirement that if, at any time, counsel to Staples shall determine that the
listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject hereto upon any
securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or
approval of any governmental or regulatory body, or that the disclosure of
non-public information or the satisfaction of any other condition is necessary
as a condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares
hereunder, this option may not be exercised, in whole or in part, unless such
listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval, disclosure or
satisfaction of such other condition shall have been effected or obtained on
terms acceptable to the Board of Directors. Nothing herein shall be deemed to
require Staples to apply for, effect or obtain such listing, registration,
qualification or disclosure, or to satisfy such other condition.

6.   TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This option is personal and no rights granted
hereunder may be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way
(whether by operation of law or otherwise) nor shall any such rights be subject
to execution, attachment or similar process, except that this option may be
transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, upon notice to
Staples, for estate planning purposes to entities that are beneficially owned
entirely by family members. All transferees of this option must agree to be
governed by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Upon any attempt
to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this option or
of such rights contrary to the provisions hereof, or upon the levy of any
attachment or similar process upon this option or such rights, this option and
such rights shall, at the election of Staples, become null and void.

7.   NO SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT OR SIMILAR RIGHTS. Nothing contained in the Plan or
this option shall be construed or deemed by any person under any circumstances
to bind Staples to continue the employment or other relationship of the Optionee
with Staples for the period within which this option may be exercised.

8.   RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder
with respect to any shares which may be purchased by exercise of this option
(including, without limitation, any rights to receive dividends or non-cash
distributions with respect to such shares) unless and until a certificate
representing such shares is duly issued and delivered to the Optionee. No
adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date
is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

9.   ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.

     (a) GENERAL. If, through or as a result of any merger, consolidation, sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of Staples, reorganization,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split or other similar transaction, (i) the outstanding shares of Common Stock
are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of
shares or other securities of Staples or other business entity, or (ii)
additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of Staples or
other business entity or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to
such shares of Common Stock or other securities, the Optionee shall, with
respect to this option or any unexercised portion hereof, be entitled to the
rights and benefits, and be subject to the limitations, set forth in Section
15(a) of the Plan.

     (b) BOARD AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. Any adjustments under this Section
9 will be made by the Board of Directors, whose determination as to what
adjustments, if any, will be made and the extent thereof will be final, binding
and conclusive. No fractional shares will be issued pursuant to this option on
account of any such adjustments.


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10. MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, DISTRIBUTIONS, LIQUIDATIONS, ETC. In the event of a
merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
Staples in which outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for
securities, cash or other property of any other corporation or business entity,
or in the event of a liquidation of Staples, prior to the Expiration Date or
termination of this option, the Optionee shall, with respect to this option or
any unexercised portion hereof, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and be
subject to the limitations, set forth in Section 16(a) of the Plan.

11. WITHHOLDING TAXES. Staples' obligation to deliver shares upon the exercise
of this option shall be subject to the Optionee's satisfaction of all applicable
federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding requirements.
Optionee may satisfy such withholding obligation by causing Staples to withhold
Option Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise hereof having a fair market value
(as determined in accordance with the Plan) equal to such withholding
obligation.

12. MISCELLANEOUS.

     (a) Except as provided herein, this option may not be amended or otherwise
modified unless evidenced in writing and signed by Staples and the Optionee.
This Option Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which
shall represent the same option agreement.

     (b) All notices under this option shall be mailed or delivered by hand to
Staples at its main office, Attn: Secretary, and to the Optionee to his or her
last known address on the employment records of Staples or at such other address
as may be designated in writing by either of the parties to one another.

     (c) This option shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.




















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