Office supplies chain Staples sold for $6.9 billion

NEW YORK -- Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is buying office supplies chain Staples for $6.9 billion.

The companies said Wednesday shareholders of Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples will get $10.25 per share.

Staples' stock closed Wednesday up 77 cents, or 8.4 percent, to $9.93, fueled by a late-afternoon report of a deal. The stock rose another 1.5 percent in extended trading after the deal was announced.

Changing shopping patterns, such as the shift to online buying, have hurt office-supplies megastores such as Staples. Amazon has become a prime competitor to Staples for corporate customers.

The deal with New York-based Sycamore Partners will allow Staples to adjust to the challenges as a private company.

A Staples store sign is seen March 1, 2016, in New York.Mark Lennihan ~ Associated Press

Staples' sales have declined 6.1 percent over the past five years to $18.2 billion.

Staples Inc. is the largest "big box" office-supply chain, but it cut the number of stores it runs to roughly 1,600 from nearly 2,300 in 2012, according to FactSet.

Last year, Staples shredded a proposed $6.3 billion merger with rival Office Depot after encountering stern resistance from antitrust regulators that culminated in a federal judge blocking the deal.

Staples confirmed in April it was exploring a possible sale. Sycamore Partners' managing director Stefan Kaluzny said the deal will help Staples pursue its long-term strategy.

"With an iconic brand, a winning strategy, and dedicated and passionate associates who are deeply focused on the customer, Staples is truly an outstanding enterprise," Kaluzny said.

The companies said they expect this deal to close by the end of the year.