QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document
 










 



 
 

Exhibit 10.15    
    


Restricted Stock Award Agreement  


Staples, Inc.

Employer ID: 04-2896127

500 Staples Drive

Framingham, MA 01702
  






	 	 	ACCOUNT ID:
	«FirstName» «MiddleName» «LastName»	 	LOCATION:
	«Address1»

«Address2»

«Address3»

«City», «State» «Zip»

«Country»	 	 





In
consideration of services rendered to Staples, Inc., you have been awarded restricted shares of Staples' Common Stock under Staples, Inc.'s Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan, as follows: 



	Award No.:	 	 
	Stock Option Plan:	 	2004RS
	Date of Grant:

Total Number of Shares:	 	 
	Fair Market Value per Share:	 	$
	Total Value of Shares Granted:	 	$






	 





	Vesting Date
	 	Number of Shares

Vesting on Vesting Date







By
your acceptance of this Restricted Stock Award, you acknowledge that this award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of Staples, Inc.'s Amended and Restated 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan (as further amended or restated from time to time) and by the terms and conditions of Staples, Inc.'s Restricted Stock Award Agreement as attached. 


You
understand and agree that this Restricted Stock Award is being granted to you in exchange for your execution of a Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement in a form
approved by Staples. 


Staples, Inc. 


Ronald
L. Sargent

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 


Attachment:
Staples, Inc. Restricted Stock Award Agreement 


1







 
 
 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT    
    


	1.
	Award.    In consideration of services rendered, Staples, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Staples"), hereby awards to the Associate named in the accompanying Notice of Award of Restricted Stock (the "Notice"), pursuant to Staples' Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"), the Total Number of Shares of Common Stock of Staples stated in the Notice (the "Shares") subject to the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the Plan. 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 Vesting Date set forth in the Notice.



	4.
	Vesting Date.  




        (a)   Continuous Relationship with Staples Required.    Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the
Shares shall not vest
unless the Associate is, and has been at all times since the Date of Award set forth in the Notice, an employee of, or a consultant to, Staples (an "Eligible Associate"). In addition, the Shares shall
not vest during any period that the Associate is suspended for an offense which could lead to a termination by Staples for "cause" (as defined below). 


        (b)   Termination of Relationship with Staples.    If the Associate ceases to be an Eligible Associate for any reason
prior to the Vesting Date, then, except as provided in paragraph (c) below, 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 on the date such Associate ceases to be an Eligible Associate. If the Associate is an employee on an approved leave of absence,
then the Shares shall not be forfeited as a result of such leave of absence unless and until the Associate's employment relationship is ultimately terminated. 


        (c)   Vesting Upon Death or Disability or Retirement.    If the Associate (i) dies; (ii) becomes
disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code); or (iii) terminates employment on or after the Rule of 65 Qualification Date (defined below), in each case prior to the
Vesting Date while he or she is an Eligible Associate, then the Shares shall vest in full. For purposes of this Section 4(c), the "Rule of 65 Qualification Date" shall mean the first Quarterly
Measurement Date (defined below) to occur on or after both (A) the Date of Award and (B) the date that the Associate has attained age 55 and the sum of the years of service (as
determined by the Board of Directors of Staples) completed by the 


2







 



Associate
plus the Associate's age is greater than or equal to 65. For purposes of this Section 4(c), the "Quarterly Measurement Date" means the sixth Thursday following the end of each fiscal
quarter. In addition and subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, on the Eligible Associate's Rule of 65 Qualification Date, a number of unvested Shares that is sufficient to satisfy the
Eligible Associate's federal, state or local income and employment tax obligations with respect to the Shares that are triggered by virtue of the Eligible Associate satisfying the conditions of the
Rule of 65 Qualification Date shall vest in full, provided that Staples may only withhold a number of such vested Shares that is necessary to meet the minimum federal, state or local income and
employment tax withholding requirements. 


        (d)   Termination for Cause.    If (a) the Associate's relationship with Staples is terminated by Staples for
"cause" (as defined below), or (b) if the Associate retires or resigns and Staples determines within six months thereafter that the Associate's conduct prior to his or her retirement or
resignation warranted a discharge for "cause," or (c) Staples determines that the Associate's conduct after termination of the employment or consulting relationship 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 Associate 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 Associate at such time no longer owns such Shares, Staples shall be entitled to recover from the Associate the gross profit earned by the Associate upon
the disposition (whether by sale, gift, donation or otherwise) of such Shares. 


        "Cause,"
as determined by Staples (which determination shall be conclusive), shall mean: 



        (i)    willful
failure by the Associate to substantially perform his or her duties with Staples (other than any failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness); provided, however, that Staples has given the Associate a written demand for substantial performance, which specifically identifies the areas in which the Associate's performance is
substandard, and the Associate has not cured such failure within 30 days after delivery of the demand. No act or failure to act on the Associate's part will be deemed "willful" unless the
Associate acted or failed to act without a good faith or reasonable belief that his or her conduct was in Staples' best interest; or 



        (ii)   breach
by the Associate of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, proprietary information, non-disclosure, non-competition,
non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the Associate and Staples, including, without limitation, the Proprietary and Confidential Information Agreement and/or the
Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement; or 


        (iii)  violation
by the Associate of the Code of Ethics or an attempt by the Associate to secure any improper personal profit in connection with the business of Staples; or 



        (iv)  failure
by the Associate to devote his or her full working time to the affairs of Staples except as may be authorized in writing by Staples' CEO or other authorized
Company official; or 


        (v)   the
Associate's engagement in business other than the business of Staples except as may be authorized in writing by Staples' CEO or other authorized Company official; or 


        (vi)  the
Associate's engagement in misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to Staples. 



        (e)   Repurchase/Forfeiture.    Upon repurchase/forfeiture of the Shares for any reason hereunder, the Associate
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. 


3







 
	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 Associate. 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 Associate with Staples for the period prior to or after vesting.



	7.
	Rights as a Shareholder.    Except as otherwise provided herein, the Associate 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.    In the event of any recapitalization, reclassification of shares, combination of shares, stock
dividend, stock split,
reverse stock split, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Associate shall,
with respect to the Shares, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and be subject to the limitations, set forth in Section 9(a) 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.
	Mergers, Consolidations, Distributions, Liquidations, Etc.    In the event of a merger or
consolidation or any share exchange transaction 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, the Associate shall, with respect to this Agreement, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and be subject to the limitations, set forth in Section 9 of the
Plan.



	10.
	Vesting Following a Change in Control.  



         (a)   Definitions.    For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:




        (i)    A
"Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if (A) any "person", as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (other than Staples, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Staples, or any corporation owned directly or indirectly by the
stockholders of Staples in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of Staples), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Staples representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of Staples' then outstanding securities (other than pursuant to a merger or
consolidation described in clause (1) or (2) of subsection (C) below); (B) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors of Staples (as of the
date hereof, the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by Staples' stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (other than an election or nomination
of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors of Staples, as such terms are used in
Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a 



4







 

member
of the Incumbent Board; (C) the stockholders of Staples approve a merger or consolidation of Staples with any other corporation, and such merger or consolidation is consummated, other
than (1) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of Staples outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of Staples or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such merger or consolidation, or (2) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of Staples (or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as defined above) acquires more
than 30% of the combined voting power of Staples' then outstanding securities; or (D) the stockholders of Staples approve an agreement for the sale or disposition by Staples of all or
substantially all of Staples' assets, and such sale or disposition is consummated. 



        (ii)   "Surviving
Corporation" shall mean (x) in the case of a Change in Control pursuant to clause (A) or clause (B) of Section 10(a)(i), Staples;
(y) in the case of a Change in Control pursuant to clause (C) of Section 10(a)(i), the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger or consolidation; and (z) in the
case of a Change in Control pursuant to Clause (D) of Section 10(a)(i), the entity acquiring the majority of the assets being sold or disposed of by Staples. 




        (b)   Effect of Change in Control.    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4(a), if a Change in Control
of Staples occurs, the Shares shall become vested as follows: 



        (i)    If,
upon the Change in Control, the Associate 



        (A)  is
not offered employment with the Surviving Corporation (or is not allowed to continue his or her employment, if the Surviving Corporation is Staples) in a position
(1) in which the title, employment
duties and responsibilities, conditions of employment, and the level of compensation and benefits are at least equivalent to those in effect during the 90-day period immediately preceding
the Change in Control and (2) that does not involve a relocation of the Associate's principal place of employment of more than an additional 50 miles from his or her primary residence at the
time of the Change in Control, and 


        (B)  does
not accept (or continue) employment with the Surviving Corporation (regardless of position, compensation or location) (other than as a result of retirement), or 




        (ii)   If,
within one year following the date of the Change in Control, the Associate either 



        (A)  is
discharged without cause (as defined in Section 4(d)) or 


        (B)  resigns
or retires because his or her title or employment duties and responsibilities are diminished, his or her conditions of employment are adversely changed, the
level of his or her compensation and benefits are reduced, or his or her principal place of employment is relocated by more than an additional 50 miles from his or her primary residence at the time of
the Change in Control, then the vesting of Shares shall be accelerated such that all of Shares shall vest effective upon the date of such discharge, resignation or retirement (which shall be
considered a Vesting Date hereunder). 




	11.
	Withholding Taxes.    Staples' obligation to vest the Shares shall be subject to the Associate's
satisfaction of all applicable federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding requirements. Staples may deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to
the Associate, including salary and bonus payments, and may withhold or sell a sufficient number of Shares on behalf of the Associate to satisfy such tax obligations. Subject to Staples' prior
approval, which may be withheld in its sole discretion, the Associate may elect to satisfy such tax withholding obligations (i) by causing Staples to withhold Shares or (ii) by
delivering to Staples shares of Common Stock already owned by the Associate. 


5







 
	12.
	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
Associate unless the Board of Directors determines that the amendment or modification, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Associate. 


        (b)   All
notices under this Agreement shall be mailed or delivered by hand to Staples at its main office, Attn: Secretary, and to the Associate 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 State of Delaware. 


6











QuickLinks



Exhibit 10.15


RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT