BOCA RATON, FL—Retail experts had predicted that a mergerbetween Office Depot andOfficeMax would result in some locations goingdark, and so it will come to pass. Now known as OfficeDepot Inc., the office supplies retailer said Tuesday itwould close at least 400 locations across the US, about 20% of itsworldwide total.

“One of our 2014 critical priorities is to improve our storefootprint in North America to best meet customer demand, ensure weare appropriately positioned in the markets we serve, and alignwith our unique selling proposition which we are developing thisyear,” says CEO Roland Smith. “The overlappingretail footprint resulting from the merger provides us with aunique opportunity to consolidate and optimize our store portfolio,while maintaining the retail presence necessary to serve ourcustomers.”

Smith says “at least” 400 of its current locations are expectedto close, including 150 this year. Office Depot expects that whenall is said and done, the closures will generate annual run-ratesynergies of at least $75 million by the end of 2016 and will beginto be accretive to earnings in 2015.