BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services, and solutions, through its Office Depot and OfficeMax brands, found that 61 percent of small and medium-sized business owners (SMBs) are celebrating the holiday season as a way to thank employees, according to its recent Small Business Index. Additionally, one-quarter of SMBs will host holiday festivities to uphold the annual tradition.

“This year, almost half of small businesses are planning to send holiday greetings to customers or employees as a form of appreciation,” said Christine Nessen, senior director of contract marketing for Office Depot, Inc. “As this is an integral part of the holiday business season, Office Depot’s copy and print services help SMBs recognize the individuals that are critical to their business success.”

Nearly half (48 percent) of SMBs believe the strongest benefit of giving holiday gifts is to strengthen customer relationships. More than one-third (36 percent) of small business owners plan to purchase holiday gifts for clients, and 44 percent plan to extend holiday greetings in order to recognize and thank customers and employees.

Further, more than half of small business owners (54 percent) plan to purchase holiday gifts for co-workers and employees, and 50 percent of SMBs also plan to host formal or informal gift exchanges.

When purchasing the perfect office gifts, small business owners should check out the Office Depot® Co-Worker Collection, a curated selection of gifts for everyone in the office. Ideal for the boss who still asks for printed copies or the creative minded peer, co-workers can pick up items ranging from a new Lexar® JumpDrive® USB 2.0 flash drive to the TUL® Note-taking System.

The Index also revealed that 48 percent of owners surveyed are planning to host parties for their office during this holiday season, with 50 percent planning a holiday office party in the first half of December. Those planning a holiday party in early December can head to Office Depot or OfficeMax retail locations or officedepot.com today to purchase gifts, greeting cards and other holiday essentials.

For more information about resources, products and services for small business owners, visit Office Depot’s Business Solutions Center at solutions.officedepot.com.

Survey Methodology/Sample Qualifications

Interviews are conducted via the Internet among a nationally representative sample of small and medium-sized businesses. The Quarter 3 wave of interviewing was conducted from July 15, 2016 to September 30, 2016 among a total of 2,858 small and medium-sized businesses. Interviewing will be conducted on a monthly basis in order to track shifts that occur over time.

About Office Depot, Inc.

Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.

Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.

The company has annual sales of approximately $14 billion, employs approximately 49,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, Grand & Toy, and Viking. The company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.

Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.

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