Staples Names Shira Goodman CEO

Staples Inc. on Monday said it named Shira Goodman chief executive, cementing her role at the helm of the office-supplies company as it tries to reshape its business.

Ms. Goodman, a Staples veteran, has served as interim CEO since May, when longtime leader Ron Sargent agreed to resign after a federal judge blocked the retailer's attempt to acquire rival Office Depot Inc.

Staples' results have been dragged down recently as an increasingly digital workplace has dented sales. The company hoped to weather the changing retail market by bulking up, but with the failed Office Depot merger behind it, Staples is seeking to realign its operations. It is more aggressively going after midmarket business clients, closing retail stores, reducing costs and focusing its business on North America.

"We're moving from a product focus to a customer focus," Ms. Goodman said on a conference call with analysts in August. "We're moving from a retail culture to a delivery culture."

Ms. Goodman's prior roles at Staples, which she joined in 1992, include a stint as president of Staples' North American operations. She has also served as an executive in its human-resources and marketing divisions.

Staples shares, which have fallen 10% so far this year, were inactive in premarket trading.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 26, 2016 09:15 ET (13:15 GMT)

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