Customer Value

Management Approach

Unless otherwise noted, the information in this report regarding Customer Value efforts pertains to our U.S. Operations.

Helping our customers do their best work requires that we excel in three key disciplines: understanding our customers, providing the products and services they need in the ways that suit them best, and helping them feel good about their association with OfficeMax.

In 2008, we advanced our mission through a number of new, expanded and ongoing initiatives. These included leading edge customer research, enhanced customer loyalty programs, value-added experiences, and tailored shopping and procurement environments.

Fulfilling our mission is also about honoring the trust that our customers have in us. OfficeMax’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governs all operations and activities pertaining to bringing our customers the value they’ve come to expect, while maintaining our integrity and strict compliance with applicable laws. The Code strictly prohibits the use of false or misleading statements to customers made in an effort to market OfficeMax products and services. It also discourages associates from disparaging competitors or their products or services.

Additionally, the Code places a great deal of emphasis on information security, which is operationalized by our companywide Information Security Program. This program is designed to foster customer trust and protect value by managing information security risks. The executive vice president and chief information officer oversees our information security efforts and reports directly to the CEO.

Most other customer-focused functions, such as Marketing, Communications, Merchandising, Product Development, Customer Knowledge, and Branding, fall within the purview of our executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, who reports to our COO.