The Retail Automotive Alliance has granted Office Depot with a two year contract to provide office supplies to its members.

"With locations throughout the UK, we felt Office Depot were best positioned to provide both the service the RAA expect, whilst being able to offer ongoing cost reduction to the members," said a spokesman.

The RAA represents 22 independent motor dealer groups with a combined turnover of £2.5 billion a year.

The decision by the RAA shareholders to appoint Office Depot as the provider of stationery and office solution services was unanimous.

Having just missed out on the contract award in 2008, Office Depot had continued to communicate with the RAA throughout the last 18 months.

Marc Matthew, whose chairmanship of the RAA has been extended until late next year, said: “We will look forward to have a good working relationship with Office Depot over the next two years.

"Following a review of Office Depot competitors, it was clear that Office Depot would be an outstanding choice for our members. The unanimous feeling among the members was that we would like to work with Office Depot with the £2million spend in this area undertaken by our members annually.”