Office Depot Inc reported a quarterly loss on Tuesday as consumers and small business customers reduced their spending on large ticket items like furniture and computers.

The nation's No. 2 office supplies retailer has been hit hard by the U.S. recession, as small businesses -- its core customers -- have cut back sharply on spending in a recession.

Office Depot reported a first-quarter net loss of $55 million, or 20 cents a share, compared with year-earlier net income of $69 million, or 25 cents a share.

Adjusted for charges, the company reported earnings of 10 cents a share.

The Boca Raton, Florida-based company, whose products range from computer hardware to school supplies, has announced plans to close stores and lay off workers to trim costs.

Total sales fell 19 percent to $3.2 billion.

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan in Bangalore; Editing by Derek Caney)

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