SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): DECEMBER 2, 2002
OFFICEMAX, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
OHIO 1-13380 34-1573735
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD
SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO 44122
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (216) 471-6900
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REQUIRED FD DISCLOSURE
On December 2, 2002, Michael Feuer, the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of OfficeMax, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), was interviewed
by Bloomberg News Service. Key points from this interview were as follows:
- The Company's sales for Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving)
were nearly $30 million, which was the highest sales volume day in
the Company's 14 and one half year history.
- This year's Black Friday sales nearly doubled the sales results
from the day after Thanksgiving last year and were approximately
50% over plan.
- Customer traffic was strong for the Thanksgiving Day weekend.
- Same-store sales (stores opened this year and last) for the
Company's fiscal month of November (adjusted for the shift of
Thanksgiving Day in the Company's fiscal calendar from fiscal
November last year to fiscal December this year) were up
approximately 8.3% from 7.7% for the third quarter ended in
October.
- Items showing strongest sales were digital cameras, all-in-one
machines, DVD-RWs, two-way radios and office chairs.
- These sales results were due primarily to the Company's new Max
Means More marketing program and its continuing focus on store
execution, enhanced in-store shopping experience, combined with
recently reengineered supply-chain management and computerized
replenishment processes.
- Although pleased with these results and optimistic about the
holiday selling season, there can be no assurance that this
positive trend will continue.
- The Company is not changing its previously announced earnings
guidance of 11 cents to 13 cents for the fourth quarter and six
cents to eight cents for the full year (assuming the Company's
historical tax rate).
Note: Statements made in this Form 8-K, other than those concerning historical
information, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are made pursuant to the
"safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements use such
words as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates,"
"estimates," "believes," "thinks," "continues," "indicates," "outlook," "looks,"
"goals," "initiatives," "projects," or similar expressions. These statements are
likely to address the Company's growth strategy, future financial performance
(including sales, gross margin and earnings), strategic initiatives, marketing
and expansion plans and the impact of operating initiatives. The forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing, are subject to
risks,
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uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those stated, projected or implied in the forward-looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include the following: risks
associated with general economic conditions (including effects of the stock
market decline, currency devaluation, additional terrorist attacks and
hostilities, slower than anticipated economic recovery and declining employment
rate or other changes in our customers' business environments, including an
increase in bankruptcy filings); increasing competition that includes office
supply superstores, warehouse clubs, contract stationers, electronics stores and
mass merchant retailers, as well as grocery and drug store chains; the result of
continuing SFAS 142 assessments; and other risks and uncertainties described in
Exhibit 99.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 26, 2002, and in other reports and exhibits to reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (these descriptions are incorporated
herein by reference). You are strongly urged to review such filings for a more
detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties. The Company's SEC filings
are available, at no charge, at www.sec.gov and www.freeEDGAR.com, as well as on
a number of other Web sites. The foregoing list of important factors is not
exclusive. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
OFFICEMAX, INC.
By: /s/ Ross H. Pollock
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Name: Ross H. Pollock
Title: Secretary
Date: December 2, 2002
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