NOTE 2. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITIONS

Staples Acquisition

On February 4, 2015, Staples, Inc. (“Staples”) and the Company announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement (the “Staples Merger Agreement”), under which Staples will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Office Depot and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples (the “Staples Acquisition”). The Company will survive the Staples Acquisition as a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples. Under the terms of the Staples Merger Agreement, Office Depot shareholders will receive, for each Office Depot share held by such shareholders, $7.25 in cash and 0.2188 of a share in Staples common stock at closing. Each employee share-based award outstanding at the date of the Staples Merger Agreement will vest upon the effective date of the Staples Acquisition. The Staples Merger Agreement includes representations, warranties and conditions, including breakup fees payable or receivable under certain conditions if the transaction fails to close. Certain existing debt agreements will require modification prior to closing. The transaction has been approved by both companies’ Board of Directors and the completion of the Staples Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions including, among others, the approval of Office Depot shareholders and various regulatory approvals. Refer to the Company’s Form 8-K filed February 4, 2015 for additional information on the transaction. Also, refer to Note 3 for amounts accrued during the first quarter of 2015 related to the Staples Acquisition.

Other

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company acquired an interior furniture business for $10 million, subject to a working capital adjustment that is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2015. The business supports the contract channel of the North American Business Solutions Division. Preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are included in the balance sheet as of March 28, 2015 and include certain amortizing intangible assets and tax-deductible goodwill, which are subject to change as integration is completed. Supplemental pro forma financial information is not provided based on materiality considerations.

Consolidated joint venture sold

In August 2014, the Company completed the sale of its 51% capital stock interest in Grupo OfficeMax S. de R.L. de C.V., the former OfficeMax business in Mexico, to its joint venture partner. The amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for this business are as follows:


(In millions)	First Quarter 2014
Sales	$	68
Income before income taxes		3
Income attributable to Office Depot, before income taxes		2

Other assets held for sale

Certain facilities identified for closure through integration and other activities have been accounted for as assets held for sale. As of March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, these assets amount to $34 million and $31 million, respectively, and are presented in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 3 for further information on Merger, restructuring and other operating expenses, net.