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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of November 7, 2000 by
and between Office Depot, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Rolf
van Kaldekerken (the "Executive").

                  The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has
caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

                  1.       Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall
mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section
1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in
this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs
and if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the
date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated
by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change
of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall
mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

                  (b)      The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

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                  2.       Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement,
a "Change of Control" shall mean:

                  (a)      The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)
of 20% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or
(iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies
with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or

                  (b)      Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute
the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; or

                  (c)      Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,
following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of
common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may
be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or
such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding
shares of common stock of the

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corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to
the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and
(iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the
action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

                  (d)      Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

                  3.       Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain
in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the
first anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period"). Such period may be
extended in writing by the mutual agreement of the Company and Executive at any
time prior to such first anniversary.

                  4.       Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i)
During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with
the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the
Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was
employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less
than 35 miles from such location.

                  (ii)     During the Employment Period, and excluding any
periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to
discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions, and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.

                  (b)      Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary, including any
applicable car allowance ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a
monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest

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monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month
in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual
Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary
increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at
least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base
Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base
Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so
increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall
include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Company.

                  (ii)     Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment
Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the
Executive's highest bonus under the Company's annual incentive bonus plans,
including, without limitation, its Designated Executive Incentive Plan and
Management Incentive Plan, or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or
successor plan or plans, for the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed by
the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each
such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.

                  (iii)    Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer Executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.

                  (iv)     Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period,
the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be
eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare
benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription,
dental, disability, employee life, group life, split-dollar life, accidental
death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the

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most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.

                  (v)      Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses
incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies,
practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.

                  (vi)     Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation,
tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable,
use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the
most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                  (vii)    Office and Support Staff. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and
with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial
and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing
provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.

                  (viii)   Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans,
policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.

                  5.       Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability.
The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's
death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that
the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of
its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice

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by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30
days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive days as a result of
incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and
permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable
to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.

                  (b)      Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

                           (i)      the willful and continued failure of the
         Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the
         Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting
         from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written
         demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the
         Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically
         identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer
         believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the
         Executive's duties, or

                           (ii)     the willful engaging by the Executive in
         illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and
         demonstrably injurious to the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to. act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duty
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and
until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                  (c)      Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be
terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Good Reason" shall mean:

                           (i)      the assignment to the Executive of any
         duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position
         (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
         authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a)
         of this

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         Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a
         diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
         excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent
         action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
         promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                           (ii)     any failure by the Company to comply with
         any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an
         isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad
         faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
         notice thereof given by the Executive;

                           (iii)    the Company's requiring the Executive to be
         based at any office or location other than as provided in Section
         4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on
         Company business to a substantially greater extent than required
         immediately prior to the Effective Date;

                           (iv)     any purported termination by the Company of
         the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by
         this Agreement; or

                           (v)      any failure by the Company to comply with
         and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason during
the 30-day period immediately preceding the first anniversary of the Effective
Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of
this Agreement.

                  (d)      Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice
of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b)
of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and
(iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not
more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

                  (e)      Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the

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date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified
therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and
(iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive
or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

                  6.       Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good
Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for
Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good
Reason:

                           (i)      the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
         lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the
         aggregate of the following amounts:

                                    A.       the sum of (1) the Executive's
                  Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the
                  extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher
                  of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid
                  or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has
                  been earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year
                  consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the
                  Executive was employed for less than twelve full months), for
                  the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment
                  Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the
                  "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of
                  which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through
                  the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365
                  and (3) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
                  (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and
                  any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not
                  theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses
                  (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the
                  "Accrued Obligations"); and

                                    B.       the amount equal to the product of
                  (1) TWO OR THREE and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual
                  Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and

                                    C.       an amount equal to the excess of
                  (1) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the
                  Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the
                  "Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less
                  favorable to the Executive than those in effect under the
                  Company's Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Effective
                  Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan in which
                  the Executive participates (together, the "SERP") which the
                  Executive would receive if the Executive's employment
                  continued for TWO OR THREE years after the Date of Termination
                  assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits are fully
                  vested, and, assuming that the Executive's compensation

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                  in each of the TWO OR THREE years is that required by Section
                  4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over (2) the actuarial
                  equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or
                  payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of
                  the Date of Termination;

                           (ii)     for TWO OR THREE years after the Executive's
         Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the
         terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company
         shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family
         at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in
         accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described
         in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment had
         not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
         effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
         executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
         families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed
         with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other
         welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and
         other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those
         provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
         eligibility. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall continue
         to make all scheduled premium payments under any split-dollar life
         insurance policy in effect on the Date of Termination on behalf of the
         Executive for so long as such payments are scheduled (without giving
         effect to Executive's termination). For purposes of determining
         eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the
         Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices,
         programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have
         remained employed until TWO OR THREE years after the Date of
         Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period;

                           (iii)    the Company shall, at its sole expense as
         incurred, provide the Executive with out placement services the scope
         and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole
         discretion; and

                           (iv)     to the extent not theretofore paid or
         provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any
         other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the
         Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or
         practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
         companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
         referred to as the "Other Benefits").

                  (b)      Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of the amounts set
forth in Section 6(i) and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. The
amounts set forth in Section 6(i) shall be paid to the Executive's estate or
beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and
the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive,

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benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company
and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of
the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices
and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to
other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the
date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.

                  (c)      Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive,
other than for payment of the amounts set forth in Section 6(i) and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. The amounts set forth in Section 6(i)
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date
of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term "Other
Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive
shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and
other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided
by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their families.

                  (d)      Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other
than for Accrued Obligations and for the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive
voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a
termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. In each such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination.

                  7.       Nonexclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

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                  8.       Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

                  9.       Certain Additional Payments by the Company. (a)
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set
forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid
or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect
to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon
the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment
equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is
entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Executive, after taking into
account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment, would not receive a net after-tax
benefit of at least $50,000 (taking into account both income taxes and any
Excise Tax) as compared to the net after-tax proceeds to the Executive resulting
from an elimination of the Gross-Up Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in
the aggregate, to an amount (the "Reduced Amount") such that the receipt of
Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall
be made to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to
the Reduced Amount.

                  (b)      Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by Deloitte & Touche or such other certified public accounting firm as may be
designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business
days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment,
or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the
Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity
or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required
hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting
Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne
solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this
Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the
receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result
of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

                  (c)      The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive
is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature
of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim
is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive
shall:

                           (i)      give the Company any information reasonably
         requested by the Company relating to such claim,

                           (ii)     take such action in connection with
         contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in
         writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
         legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
         reasonably selected by the Company,

                           (iii)    cooperate with the Company in good faith in
         order effectively to contest such claim, and

                           (iv)     permit the Company to participate in any
         proceedings relating to such claim;

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or to contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating
to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.

                  (d)      If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled
to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject
to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay
to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

                  10.      Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by
the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to
anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an
asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under
this Agreement.

                  11.      Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the
Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the Executive's legal representatives.

                  (b)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

                  (c)      The Company will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.

                  12.      Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.

                  (b)      All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

                  If to the Executive:

                  Rolf Van Kaldekerken
                  c/o Office Depot, Inc.
                  2200 Old Germantown Road
                  Delray Beach, Florida 33445

                  If to the Company:

                  Office Depot, Inc.
                  2200 Old Germantown Road
                  Delray Beach, Florida 33445
                           Attention: EVP, Human Resources

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

                  (c)      The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.

                  (d)      The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                  (e)      The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitations the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to
be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.

                  (f)      The Executive and the Company acknowledge that,
except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between
the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will" and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case
the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after
the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                                    * * * * *

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the
Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors,
the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf,
all as of the day and year first above written.

                                   __________Signed_____________________________
                                   Executive: Rolf Van Kaldekerken

                                   Date October 25, 2000

                                   OFFICE DEPOT, INC.

                                   By: ____________Signed_______________________

                                   Its: Executive Vice President Human Resources

                                     - 16 -<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.13

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 (For Executive Officers Who Also Have a Change of Control Employment Agreement)

                  THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of August 1 , 2000
between Office Depot, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and David C.
Fannin ("EXECUTIVE").

                  The Company and Executive are parties to one or more prior
employment agreements and/or amendments thereto, or extensions thereof
(collectively "Prior Agreements");

                  The parties desire to replace all such Prior Agreements with
this Employment Agreement, and each of them hereby agrees that this Employment
Agreement, upon execution by each of the Company and Executive, supersedes and
replaces any and all Prior Agreements and, together with the Change of Control
Employment Agreement dated contemporaneously herewith, constitutes the entire
understanding of the Company and Executive with regard to the employment of
Executive by the Company;

                  Now Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

                  1. EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby
accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement for the period beginning on the date hereof and ending as
provided in paragraph 4 hereof (the "EMPLOYMENT TERM").

                  (b) The parties hereto also have entered into an Employment
Agreement dated as of August 1, 2000 by and between the Company and the
Executive (the "Change of Control Employment Agreement") which, by its terms,
takes effect during the "Employment Period" as defined in such agreement. During
any such Employment Period under the Change of Control Employment Agreement, the
terms and provisions of the Change of Control Employment Agreement shall control
to the extent such terms and provisions are in conflict with the terms and
provisions of this Agreement. In addition, during such Employment Period, the
Employment Term hereunder shall be tolled and upon expiration of the Employment
Period under the Change of Control Employment Agreement the Employment Term
hereunder shall recommence.

                  2. POSITION AND DUTIES.

                  (a) During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company
and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities and authority attendant to
such position, subject to the power of the Company's Chief Executive Officer
("CEO") or Board of Directors (the "Board") to expand or limit such duties,
responsibilities and authority.

                                       1
<PAGE>

                  (b) Executive shall report to the CEO, and Executive shall
devote Executive's best efforts and Executive's full business time and attention
(except for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or
other incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company and its
Subsidiaries; PROVIDED THAT Executive shall, with the prior written approval of
the CEO, be allowed to serve as (i) a director or officer of any non-profit
organization including trade, civic, educational or charitable organizations, or
(ii) a director of any corporation which is not competing with the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in the office product and office supply industry so long
as such duties do not materially interfere with the performance of Executive's
duties or responsibilities under this Agreement. Executive shall perform
Executive's duties and responsibilities under this Agreement to the best of
Executive's abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike and efficient
manner.

                  (c) Executive shall be based at or in the vicinity of the
Company's headquarters BUT may be required to travel as necessary to perform
Executive's duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

                  (d) For purposes of this Agreement, "SUBSIDIARIES" shall mean
any corporation of which the securities having a majority of the voting power in
electing directors are, at the time of determination, owned by the Company,
directly or through one of more Subsidiaries.

                  3. BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS.

                  (a) Initially, Executive's base salary shall be $400,000 per
annum (the "BASE SALARY"), which salary shall be payable in regular installments
in accordance with the Company's general payroll practices and shall be subject
to customary withholding. Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed at least
annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board and shall be subject to
adjustment, but not reduction, as they shall determine based on among other
things, market practice and performance. In addition, during the Employment
Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company's Long Term
Equity Incentive Plan.

                  (b) In addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in the Company's Management Incentive Plan (the "Bonus
Plan") as administered by the Compensation Committee. If the Board or the
Compensation Committee modifies such Bonus Plan during the Employment Term,
Executive shall continue to participate at a level no lower than the highest
level established for any officer of the Company then at Executive's level. At
the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, Executive may be
offered from time to time the opportunity to participate in other bonus plans of
the Company in lieu of the Bonus Plan and, if Executive chooses to participate
in such plan or plans, the provisions of this paragraph 3(b) shall be tolled
during the period of such participation.

                  (c) Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance
with the Company's general payroll practices for officers of the Company then at
Executive's level.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                  (d) The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable
expenses incurred by Executive in the course of performing Executive's duties
under this Agreement which are consistent with the Company's policies in effect
from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business
expenses, subject to the Company's requirements with respect to reporting and
documentation of such expenses.

                  (e) Executive will be entitled to all benefits as are, from
time to time, maintained for officers of the Company then at Executive's level,
including without limitation: medical, prescription, dental, disability,
employee life, group life, split-dollar life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans (collectively, "Insurance Benefits"), profit sharing
and retirement benefits.

                  4. TERM.

                  (a) The Employment Term shall end on the first anniversary of
the date of this Agreement; PROVIDED THAT (i) the Employment Term shall be
extended for one year in the event that written notice of the termination of
this Agreement is not given by one party hereof to the other at least six months
prior to the end of the Employment Term, and it shall continue thereafter from
year to year in like fashion ("evergreen") unless and until either party
provides written notice as provided in the first clause of this sentence;
PROVIDED FURTHER that (ii) the Employment Term shall terminate prior to such
date (A) upon Executive's death or permanent disability or incapacity (as
determined by the Board in its good faith judgment), (B) upon the mutual
agreement of the Company and Executive, (C) by the Company's termination of this
Agreement for Cause (as defined below) or without Cause or (D) by Executive's
termination of this Agreement for Good Reason (as defined below) or without Good
Reason.

                  (b) If the Employment Term is terminated by the Company
without Cause or is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, Executive (and
Executive's family with respect to clause (iii) below) shall be entitled to
receive (i) Executive's Base Salary through the 18 month anniversary of such
termination and Executive's Pro Rata Bonus (as defined in paragraph (h) below),
if and only if Executive has not breached the provisions of paragraphs 5, 6 and
7 hereof, (ii) vested and earned (in accordance with the Company's applicable
plan or program) but unpaid amounts under incentive plans, deferred compensation
plans, and other employer programs of the Company in which Executive is then
participating (other than the Pro Rata Bonus), and (iii) Insurance Benefits
through the 18 month anniversary of such termination pursuant to the Company's
insurance programs, as in effect from time to time, to the extent Executive
participated immediately prior to the date of such termination; PROVIDED THAT
any health insurance benefits which Executive becomes entitled to receive as a
result of any subsequent employment shall serve as primary coverage for
Executive and Executive's family. The amounts payable pursuant to paragraph
4(b)(i) and (ii) shall be payable, at the Company's discretion, in one lump sum
payment within 30 days following termination of the Employment Term or in any
other manner consistent with the Company's normal payment policies.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  (c) If the Employment Term is terminated by the Company for
Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to
receive (i) Executive's Base Salary through the date of such termination and
(ii) vested and earned (in accordance with the Company's applicable plan or
program) but unpaid amounts under incentive plans, health and welfare plans,
deferred compensation plans, and other employer programs of the Company which
Executive participates; provided, however, that Executive shall not be entitled
to payment of a Pro Rata Bonus.

                  (d) If the Employment Term is terminated upon Executive's
death or permanent disability or incapacity (as determined by the Board in its
good faith judgment), Executive, or Executive's estate if applicable, shall be
entitled to receive the sum of (i) Executive's Base Salary through the date of
such termination and Executive's Pro Rata Bonus (as defined in paragraph (h)
below) and (ii) vested and earned (in accordance with the Company's applicable
plan or program) but unpaid amounts under incentive plans, health and welfare
plans, deferred compensation plans, and other employer programs of the Company
which Executive participates. The amounts payable pursuant to this paragraph
4(d) shall be payable, at the Company's discretion, in one lump sum payment
within 30 days following termination of the Employment Term or in any other
manner consistent with the Company's normal payment policies.

                  (e) Except as otherwise provided herein, fringe benefits and
bonuses (if any) which accrue or become payable after the termination of the
Employment Term shall cease upon such termination.

                  (f) For purposes of this Agreement, "CAUSE" shall mean:

                           (i) the willful and continued failure of the
         Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the
         Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting
         from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written
         demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the
         Board or the CEO which specifically identifies the manner in which the
         Board or the CEO believes that the Executive has not substantially
         performed the Executive's duties, or

                           (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal
         conduct or gross misconduct [which is materially and demonstrably
         injurious to the Company].

                                       4
<PAGE>

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the CEO or based upon the
advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or
omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of
the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to
be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three
quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called
and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive
and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard
before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the
Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above,
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                  (g) For purposes of this Agreement, "GOOD REASON" shall mean:

                           (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by paragraph 2 of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

                           (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of
the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;

                           (iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be
based at any location other than as provided in paragraph 2(c) hereof; or

                           (iv) any purported termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement.

                  (h) For purposes of this Agreement, "PRO RATA BONUS" shall
mean the sum of (i) the pro rata portion (calculated as if the "target" amount
under such plan has been reached) under any current annual incentive plan from
the beginning of the year of termination through the date of termination and
(ii) if and to the extent Executive is vested, the pro rata portion (calculated
as if the "target" amount under such plan has been reached) under any long-term
incentive plan or performance plan from the beginning of the period of
determination through the date of termination.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  5. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive acknowledges that the
information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the
Company and its Subsidiaries concerning the business or affairs of the Company
or any other Subsidiary ("CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION") are the property of the
Company or such Subsidiary. Therefore, Executive agrees that Executive shall not
disclose to any unauthorized person or use for Executive's own purposes any
Confidential Information without the prior written consent of the Board or the
CEO, unless and to the extent that the aforementioned matters become generally
known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of
Executive's acts or omissions. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the
termination of the Employment Term, or at any other time the Company may
request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes,
printouts and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) in any
form or medium relating to the Confidential Information, Work Product (as
defined below) or the business of the Company or any Subsidiary that Executive
may then possess or have under Executive's control.

                  6. INVENTIONS AND PATENTS. Executive acknowledges that all
inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses,
drawings, reports and all similar or related information (whether or not
patentable) that relate to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' actual or
anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or
services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive while employed
by the Company and its Subsidiaries ("WORK PRODUCT") belong to the Company or
such Subsidiary. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the
Board or the CEO and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board or
the CEO (whether during or after the Employment Term) to establish and confirm
such ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of
attorney and other instruments).

                                       6
<PAGE>

                  7. NON-COMPETE, NON-SOLICITATION.

                  (a) In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to
Executive hereunder, Executive acknowledges that in the course of Executive's
employment with the Company Executive shall become familiar with the Company's
trade secrets and with other Confidential Information concerning the Company and
its Subsidiaries and that Executive's services shall be of special, unique and
extraordinary value to the Company and its Subsidiaries. Therefore, Executive
agrees that, during the Employment Term and for one year thereafter (the
"NONCOMPETE PERIOD"), Executive shall not directly or indirectly own any
interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for,
or in any manner engage in any business competing with the businesses of the
Company or its Subsidiaries, as such businesses exist or are in process on the
date of the termination of Executive's employment, within any geographical area
in which the Company or its Subsidiaries engage or plan to engage in such
businesses. Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner
of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which
is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the
business of such corporation.

                  (b) During the Noncompete Period, Executive shall not directly
or indirectly through another entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary to leave the employ of the Company or
such Subsidiary, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the
Company or any Subsidiary and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was
an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time during the Employment
Term or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee,
licensor, franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any Subsidiary
to cease doing business with the Company or such Subsidiary, or in any way
interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee,
licensor, franchisee, or business relation and the Company or any Subsidiary
(including, without limitation, making any negative statements or communications
about the Company or its Subsidiaries).

                  (c) If, at the time of enforcement of this paragraph 7, a
court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein are
unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the
maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be
substituted for the stated duration, scope or area and that the court shall be
allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period,
scope and area permitted by law. Executive agrees that the restrictions
contained in this paragraph 7 are reasonable.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  (d) In the event of the breach or a threatened breach by
Executive of any of the provisions of this paragraph 7, the Company, in addition
and supplementary to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, may apply
to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance
and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations
of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). In
addition, in the event of an alleged breach or violation by Executive of this
paragraph 7, the Noncompete Period shall be tolled until such breach or
violation has been duly cured.

                  8. EXECUTIVE'S REPRESENTATIONS. Executive hereby represents
and warrants to the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate
or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or
decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound, (ii)
Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompete
agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity and (iii)
upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement
shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in
accordance with its terms. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that
Executive has had an opportunity to consult with independent legal counsel
regarding Executive's rights and obligations under this Agreement and that
Executive fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

                  9. SURVIVAL. Paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 and paragraphs 9 through 18
shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms
notwithstanding any termination of the Employment Term.

                  10. NOTICES. Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, or mailed by first class
mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

                  NOTICES TO EXECUTIVE:

                  Name:      David C. Fannin
                  Address:   3900 Galt Ocean Drive, #1601
                             Fort Lauderdale, FL 33445
                             (954) 563-4405

                  NOTICES TO THE COMPANY:

                  Office Depot, Inc.
                  2200 Germantown Road
                  Delray Beach, Florida 33445
                  Attention:  Chief Executive  Officer

                  and

                  Office Depot, Inc.
                  2200 Germantown Road
                  Delray Beach, Florida 33445
                  Attention: Executive Vice President - Human Resources

                                       8
<PAGE>

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any
notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered
or mailed.

                  11. SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

                  12. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and those documents
expressly referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith embody
the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and
preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the
parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in
any way (provided, however that during the "Employment Period," as defined in
the Change of Control Employment Agreement, the terms and provision of the
Change of Control Employment Agreement shall be effective and shall control to
the extent there is any conflict between such agreement and this Agreement).

                  13. NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this
Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to
express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied
against any party.

                  14. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.

                  15. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement is intended to bind
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, the Company and
their respective heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not
assign Executive's rights or delegate Executive's obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of the Company.

                  16. CHOICE OF LAW. All issues and questions concerning the
construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the
exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of
law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Florida or
any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Florida.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. The provisions of this Agreement may
be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and
Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the
provisions of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement.

                  18. ARBITRATION. Except as to the right of the Company to
resort to any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain injunctive relief or
specific enforcement of the Executive's obligations of confidentiality and
non-competition under this Employment Agreement (or otherwise), any dispute or
controversy between the Company and Executive arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the breach of this Agreement shall be settled by arbitration
administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with
its Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect, and judgment on the award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. Any arbitration shall be held before a single arbitrator who shall be
selected by the mutual agreement of the Company and Executive, unless the
parties are unable to agree to an arbitrator, in which case the arbitrator will
be selected under the procedures of the AAA. The arbitrator shall have the
authority to award any remedy or relief that a court of competent jurisdiction
could order or grant, including, without limitation, the issuance of an
injunction. However, either party may, without inconsistency with this
arbitration provision, apply to any court otherwise having jurisdiction over
such dispute or controversy and seek interim provisional, injunctive or other
equitable relief until the arbitration award is rendered or the controversy is
otherwise resolved. Except as necessary in court proceedings to enforce this
arbitration provision or an award rendered hereunder, or to obtain interim
relief, or as may otherwise be required by law, neither a party nor an
arbitrator may disclose the existence, content or results of any arbitration
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company and Executive. The
Company and Executive acknowledge that this Agreement evidences a transaction
involving interstate commerce. Notwithstanding any choice of law provision
included in this Agreement, the United States Federal Arbitration Act shall
govern the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration provision. The
arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in Palm Beach County, Florida unless
the parties mutually agree to another location.. The Company shall pay the costs
of any arbitrator(s) appointed hereunder.

                                    * * * * *

                                       10
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.

                                                OFFICE DEPOT, INC.

                                                By:
                                                     -------------------------
                                                Name:  Bruce Nelson
                                                Its:  Chief Executive Officer

                                                EXECUTIVE

                                                -----------------------------
                                                Name:  David C. Fannin
                                                Date:  August 1, 2000

                                       11

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