Office Depot Ousts Head of N. American Unit

Office Depot Inc. fired its president of North American operations in another management shake-up designed to bolster sales and profit and restore investor confidence. The largest U.S. office supplies retailer fired Shawn McGhee and eliminated his position, splitting his duties between two new divisions. The Delray Beach, Fla.-based company named Robert Keller, 47, former executive vice president of sales, to the new position of president of the business services group. Office Depot is seeking an executive from outside the company to be president of its other new division, North American retail stores. Last month, the company named Bruce Nelson chief executive, replacing David Fuente, as it warned that full-year profit would fall because of price cuts to compete with rivals and increased sales of low-profit technology products. Office Depot shares closed up 50 cents at $8.19 on the NYSE.