Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), the world's largest office products company and top retail destination for back to school, today announced July 15 as the official start to the 2009 back-to-school shopping season. For the second year, Staples will kick-off the season and provide shoppers with a clear roadmap of where and when to find the best products and deals this season.

Based on more than 20 years of experience in the back-to-school supply industry, Staples analyzes historic trends and shopping patterns to determine the official first day of the season. For 2009, the start of back-to-school shopping arrives a week later than in 2008 primarily because students are starting classes later due to the Labor Day holiday and the large number of weather-related closings the previous school year.

“Staples has the back-to-school products students most want to help them start the school year off right,” said Jevin Eagle, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing of Staples, Inc. “Next week’s ‘First Bell’ marks the start of the back-to-school shopping season and our commitment to helping parents save on the most important items on their student’s shopping list, making shopping easy and affordable.”

Staples is making it easy for students and parents this season by providing a one-stop shop with a wide selection of products at great prices. Staples’ top-10 product list for back to school provides customers a sneak peek at the new styles and latest trends for the season on everything from backpacks and pens to calculators and flash drives. Great value and the option to customize, organize and personalize items for every student’s style were key factors in selecting the top picks for Staples’ 2009 back-to-school season.

1) Cover It Up – Prevent pen marks and wear-and-tear damage of textbooks with Everyday Edisons Book Jax ($5.99). A book cover invented and designed by two high-school students, it comes with specially designed grommets that protect the spine and corners of the book, and lets you customize with photos, stickers and more. Available in fashionable colors and designs including black, royal blue, pink, orange, polka dot and black swirl. Or enter a new dimension with Jumbo 3-D Book Sox Stretchable Fabric Print Book Cover ($4.99).