OfficeMax partners with Safeway supermarkets

NEW YORK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - OfficeMax (OMX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will sell around 300 of its products in grocery stores operated by Safeway (SWY.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the office supply retailer announced on Monday.

Safeway, whose chains include Safeway, Vons and Dominick's, began carrying OfficeMax products such as pens and paper in July in 1,600 of its stores in the Western, Southwestern, Rocky Mountain, Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., OfficeMax said in a release.

OfficeMax has been looking for new venues to sell its products following a slowdown in spending by its small business and retail customers, as the financial crisis takes a particular toll on furnishings and office supply retailers.

OfficeMax reported a large quarterly loss last week and predicted significant sales declines throughout the rest of the year as small business customers continue to slash spending, hurt by declining housing values, a credit crunch and concerns about job security. (Reporting by Sarah Coffey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)