Framingham-Based Staples Cuts 500 Jobs Worldwide, 200 Stateside

Framingham-based Staples Inc. announced it eliminated 500 jobs worldwide Wednesday.

In an earnings call, CEO Ronald L. Sargent disclosed the company had laid off 500 workers, globally, during the first quarter, including 200 positions in North America, including a majority at its Framingham headquarters, at 500 Staples Dr.

Staples did not disclose how many positions were cut in Massachusetts or in Framingham.

Staples Inc, the largest U.S. office supply chain, reported lower-than-expected quarterly sales, hurt by weakness in international markets such as Europe and Australia, reported Reuters. The company cut 300 positions in Australia and Europe.

The company - which operates in 26 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia - kept its 2012 outlook, saying it continues to expect slow growth in the U.S. economy and soft demand in Europe, reported Reuters.

In that earnings call, Staples executives said the majority of the positions had already been eliminated and they did not expect other significant restructuring later this year.

Staples said it recorded a $28 million charge related to 500 job cuts during the quarter, reported the Boston Herald.

Shares of Staples fell nearly 6 percent on the Nasdaq exchange to close at $13.91. First-quarter profit fell 6 percent to $187 million.

Total company sales for the first quarter of 2012 were $6.1 billion, a decrease of 1 percent in US dollars and flat on a local currency basis compared with the first quarter of 2011, reported the Boston Globe.