Steve Odland, chairman and CEO of the nation's second largestoffice supply chain, said the company plans to eventually add 1,000new stores to its North American base and improve its internationalgrowth with a string of new acquisitions. The company currently hasmore than 1,000 stores in North America and more than 200 retailoutlets in 21 other countries.

"We have big categories and big opportunities outside of NorthAmerica," he said, noting that Office Depot recently expanded by100 stores when it entered a joint venture arrangement inMexico.

Odland, speaking at the Credit Suisse Consumer & RetailConference here, said the firm plans to "refresh" its entire storebase during the next two to three years, spending $225,000 to$250,000 per store to enhance the look of its aging North Americanlocations. Company officials recently agreed on a prototype designand will begin renovation work in the near future.