Office specialist Staples announced a 9% increase in sales to $5.5bn (£3.37bn) for its second quarter. In North America retail sales decreased 5% to $2bn (£1.23bn).

Comparable store sales decreased 5% against 2008, reflecting declines in average order size and weakness in durable categories such as business machines and furniture. Internationally, sales increased 21% in US dollars (or 32% in local currency) to $1.2bn (£734m). Comparable store sales in Europe decreased 3%, with the UK and Germany achieving positive comparable sales.