Office Depot to Join Microsoft Web Site

Office Depot Inc. said its products and services will be offered through Microsoft Corp.’s small-business Web site, BCentral. Microsoft also plans to make Office Depot products and services available through its WebTV interactive television service and other venues. The BCentral Web site caters to small and growing companies, providing services to help them get started on the Internet, promote their online sites and manage their businesses. Office Depot, which has 836 stores in the U.S. and Canada, last month warned that its second-quarter profit and sales would be below analyst estimates because of slower-than-anticipated sales of computers and a stronger dollar. The Delray Beach, Fla.-based company also owns stores in France and Japan. Office Depot shares fell 6 cents to close at $6.81 on the New York Stock Exchange.