Office Supply Firms Will Fight Feds

Staples Inc. and Office Depot Inc. said they plan to “vigorously contest” the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to block the combination of the two leading operators of office-supply superstores.

Staples and Office Depot said they plan to seek an expedited court hearing to resolve the issue before the May 31 expiration of their merger agreement. After that date, either company could opt out of the transaction.

Without an expedited process, it could take at least three months for a federal district court to decide whether to grant the FTC a preliminary injunction blocking the merger until a trial is held before an FTC administrative law judge.

The FTC is expected to file its antitrust suit this week in a Washington, D.C. district court.