Staples set to buy rival Office Depot

NEW YORK — Evolving shopping habits have forced yet another retailer to think outside of the box.

Staples, the nation’s largest “big box” office supply chain, announced Wednesday that it’s spending about $6 billion to buy its second-ranked rival, Office Depot.

The acquisition reflects a reversal of fortunes for big-box retailers. Founded in the late 1980s, Staples and Office Depot were among a group of chains led by Wal-Mart that opened thousands of supersized stores during much of the next two decades for shoppers who wanted to buy in bulk.

Nearly 10 million select health care

WASHINGTON — Nearly 10 million Americans have selected a health insurance plan or re-enrolled in coverage on the nation’s health care marketplaces, the Obama administration announced Wednesday.

With just 11 days to go before the Feb. 15 deadline to secure individual coverage for 2015, federal health officials appear well on their way to meeting their cautious goal of enrolling up to 10 million people by year’s end.

Harley-Davidson names new CEO

MILWAUKEE — Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson says Matt Levatich will become the company’s president and CEO on May 1.

Levatich has been Harley-Davidson’s president and chief operating officer since 2009. He succeeds Chairman and CEO Keith Wandell, who is retiring.

Levatich, 50, joined Harley-Davidson in 1994. Prior to his current role, he managed Harley’s former European division, MV Agusta.