FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - The Staples office supplies company has chosen the president of its Canadian arm to be the new head of its North American retail network.

The appointment of Steve Matyas was announced by Shira Goodman, who become interim chief executive last month after Ron Sargent agreed to step aside in May.

Goodman was previously president of North American operations for Staples.

She says a realignment of retail leadership at Staples will strengthen the company's position as it continues to "right size" its store network and meet the changing needs of its business customers.

Staples Inc. announced in May that its first-quarter sales were down three per cent from the same time last year and it expected a further year-over-year decline in the current second quarter.