BY THE NUMBERS

BY THE NUMBERS
The big three
A look at the big three chains of office products superstores:
STAPLES INC.
Stores: 1,600
Employment: 60,000
2003 Revenue: $13.2 billion
Growth plans: 90 new stores this year and each of the next two years
Regional area of dominance: Northeast
Headquarters: Framingham, Mass.
OFFICE DEPOT INC.
Stores: 1,104
Employment: 50,000
2003 Revenue: $12.4 billion
Growth plans: 80 new stores this year, 100 next year
Regional area of dominance: South
Headquarters: Delray Beach, Fla.
OFFICEMAX
Stores: About 950
Employment: 40,000
2003 Revenue: $8.3 billion
Growth plans: 12 new stores this year, 50 next year
Regional area of dominance: Midwest
Headquarters: Itasca, Ill.
Source: The companies