Staples-Office Depot Deal Delayed

Staples Inc. may have to wait longer than expected to complete its $3.9 billion acquisition of Office Depot Inc.

The nation’s two largest office supply retailers said Monday they have agreed to extend the required waiting period for closing the deal from Feb. 25 to March 5.

The extension gives the Federal Trade Commission more time to collect information about the merger. There has been speculation that FTC officials are considering forcing the companies to sell some stores as a condition of approval.

Staples and Office Depot had scheduled shareholder meetings for Feb. 27 to vote on the deal, but both said they would delay the meetings for one week if FTC approval is not granted by then.

Staples, based in Westborough, Mass., announced last September it would acquire Delray Beach, Fla.-based Office Depot for about $3.5 billion in stock, but the value of the deal has increased since then as Staples stock has risen.