Staples Holiday Survey Reveals Digital Cameras as Number One Gift Choice; Portable Technology Gifts Including MP3 Players, Cell Phones and Satellite Radio Also Top List

"Digital imaging gifts such as digital cameras and portable photoprinters are this year's must haves," said Dave Figler, vice presidentand divisional merchandise manager of technology for Staples. "Thelatest portable printers allow easy, high quality printing without aPC."

Capturing and Preserving Memories

According to the Staples survey, digital cameras were the numberone electronic gift choice, chosen by nearly 30 percent ofrespondents. Staples offers an extensive assortment of digital camerasand everything needed to print and protect your memories. Digitalcameras range from the Kodak EasyShare C330 ($159.98) with "point andshoot" simplicity and low-light performance to SLR cameras such as theCanon Digital Rebel XT ($999.98) with 8.0 mexapixels. Simply pop inthe memory card directly to a new portable photo printer like the HPPhotosmart 475 Photo Printer ($279.99) - no need for a PC - and print35 mm lab-quality photos that resist fading for generations. The HPPhotosmart is portable so holiday hosts can send guests home withphotos in hand.

"Technology on the go is a key theme for this holiday season,"said Figler. "Consumers want digital devices that make travelingeasier and more fun."

Are We There Yet?

According to the Staples survey, 40 percent of respondents say aGPS system is the technology accessory Santa needs most to get his jobdone. GPS positioning systems such as the FineDrive 400 ($499),provide detailed maps as well as audio instructions to help guidetravelers safely to their holiday destinations.

Travelers can stay in the holiday spirit by listening to favoriteholiday tunes. Staples offers a range of MP3 players such as theCreative MuvoMix 512MB MP3 ($79.99) which holds over 120 songs and theCreative Zen 5G MP3 ($179.99) player which holds over 1200 songs.Staples also offers portable XM satellite radio receivers like theDelphi Roady 2 ($29.99), with over 150 digital XM channelscoast-to-coast.

Staples Relay USB Flash Drives, exclusive to Staples, are an easyway to store and transfer data when away from a network and are agreat way to maintain holiday digital photos. The Staples Relay USBFlash Drives come in three different storage capacities - $29.98(256MB), $44.98 (512MB), and $88.98 (1G). The Palm LifeDrive MobileManager ($498.99) puts it all together by organizing your contacts,schedule, digital music, digital pictures even digital movies, plus itcan double as a flash drive to transport files.

Keeping It Safe

Security is a big concern this holiday season - whether it'sensuring the preservation of treasured family photos or safeguardingSanta's "naughty" and "nice" list. To make certain holiday memoriesare saved for a lifetime, Staples exclusive Digital Photo ProtectionKit ($48 value) is free with any digital camera purchase. It enablesusers to easily store photos on a secure online data center and allowseasy backup of photos to a DVD or CD.

The Staples Medium-Duty Shredder ($69.99), available exclusivelyat Staples, can shred Santa's top-secret list or any otherconfidential documents such as bank statements, medical records andreceipts. The shredder can even handle credit cards - especially handyafter a long day at the mall.

For added security at home, Staples offers Easy Mobile TechService (starting at $99.99) to help install antivirus software or setup a new printer, computer or wireless network right in your home.

About the Staples 2005 Holiday Survey

The Staples 2005 Holiday Survey results are based on the responsesof 1,018 adults age 18 to 54. The survey was conducted byInternational Communications Research (ICR) from October 28 - November4, 2005. Additional findings include:

-- 34 percent of those surveyed will take advantage of early bird
specials at retail stores on Black Friday

-- The price of gas will impact holiday shopping this year in the
following ways:

-- 73 percent of holiday shoppers will shop close to home

-- 30 percent will carpool or use pubic transportation

-- 26 percent will do more shopping online

-- 39 percent will spend time during work hours shopping or doing
holiday errands

-- 40 percent will purchase gifts for work colleagues this
holiday season

Complete survey findings are available by request.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 andtoday is the world's largest office products company. With 65,000talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buya wide range of office products, including supplies, technology,furniture, and business services. With 2004 sales of $14.4 billion,Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-basedbusinesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout Northand South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston,Staples operates approximately 1,750 office superstores and alsoserves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce andcontract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.