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Staples Reports Quarterly Sales

Massachusetts-based Staples Inc., parent company of Top 40 distributor Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601), had $3.9 billion in total sales during Q2 of 2017, a drop of 3% compared to same quarter last year. Second quarter results include pretax charges of $10 million, primarily related to the proposed acquisition by Sycamore Partners, according to an earnings statement released Thursday.

Total company comparable sales for the second quarter declined 1%, compared to Q2 2016. Staples reported non-GAAP net income from continuing operations of $76 million, or 12 cents per diluted share. That was in line with what analysts were expecting, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. .

Staples grew mid-market sales in its North American contract business, Staples Business Advantage, by 11% year over year. Another highlight of Q2: The company generated $279 million in cash provided by operating activities and had $89 million in capital expenditures, resulting in $190 million of free cash flow. .

In June, Staples agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $6.9 billion. The deal, which still requires a shareholder vote, is expected to close by the end of the year. Staples ranked first on Counselor’s list of the largest distributors in the industry, with estimated 2016 North American promotional product revenue of $592.9 million, a 7% year-over-year increase. .