US

Office equipment specialist Staples has reported flat sales of $5.5bn (£3.54bn) for the second quarter ending 31 July, 2010. Operating income rocketed 30% to $268m (£172.5m) and net income rose 40% to $130m (£83.7m).

“Staples continues to deliver strong earnings growth in a challenging sales environment,” said chairman and chief executive Ron Sargent.

“We’re seeing good progress in our initiatives to grow technology, copy and print, and facilities supplies,” he added.