Staples Inc and United Parcel Service Inc are launching co-branded stores in China, the companies said on Monday.

The first two stores, called Staples UPS Express, opened today in Beijing, and two additional locations are expected to open in Shanghai by the end of 2007, they said.

The stores combine office supplies and document processing services from Staples with packaging and international shipping services from UPS.

(Reporting by Nicole Maestri)

China