*NEWS*OFFICE DEPOT IN SUPER MARKETS !

Delray Beach-based office supply chain Office Depot said it has agreed with Boise, Idaho-based supermarket Albertsons for Office Depot to sell office and school Supplies in 18 Albertsons stores in three markets – Chicago, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

As part of the pilot program, Office Depot said its store within a store will feature more than 700 products, ranging from ink jet cartridges, copier paper and writing instruments to mailing and school supplies. Neither company gave a price tag or revenue projection associated with the deal.

Bruce Nelson, Office Depot chairman and chief executive officer, said customers appreciate the convenience of buying office and school supplies at the places they shop most often – their neighborhood supermarkets and drugstores. “Office Depot is delighted to work with Albertsons on this strategic initiative that will leverage both of our well-known brands in large and important retail markets,” he said.

Larry Johnston, Albertsons chairman and CEO, said his company sees the deal with Office Depot as another significant step in its growth strategy. Albertsons has already partnered with Toys “R” Us to put “Toy Box” departments in all of its stores and has also partnered with Krispy Kreme donuts and Starbucks coffee. “The Office Depot name is synonymous with quality, value and reliability in the office-supply sector,” he explained. “Shoppers make 1.4 billion trips a year to our stores and we will be offering them an opportunity to choose from a vast selection of office and school supplies to add to their shopping carts.”