United Stationers Inc. (NASDAQ: USTR), Deerfield, IL, reported sales for the first quarter were $1.25 billion, flat from last year.

"We made progress on strategic initiatives, and delivered solid results in a difficult demand environment," said Cody Phipps, president and CEO. "First-quarter demand conditions were impacted by corporate and government spending reductions, low inflation and continued weakness in the economy as real jobs growth and small business confidence remain soft. O.K.I. Supply was fully integrated into our industrial business during the quarter and we drove additional cost reduction programs in several of our other core businesses."

Strong growth was seen in the industrial supplies and janitorial/breakroom categories with sales up 35.7 percent and 3 percent respectively. These gains were offset by decreased sales in the technology, office products and furniture categories of 5.9 percent, 6.5 percent, and 3 percent, respectively. 

Profit for the quarter was $13.8 million, down slightly from the year before.