United Stationers (NASDAQ: USTR), Deerfield, IL, reported sales for the first quarter of $1.3 billion, effectively unchanged from the prior-year quarter. Profit increased 57.6 percent to $21.9 million.

"Our team delivered solid overall performance despite difficult demand conditions, partly due to adverse weather early in the quarter," said Cody Phipps, president and CEO. "Sales accelerated as the quarter progressed. We continue to make strategic investments in our business and e-commerce capabilities, and we are positioned well with both manufacturers and resellers to execute our growth and diversification strategies."

First-quarter sales in janitorial and breakroom supplies rose 2.3 percent to $332.7 million. Industrial supply sales increased 1.4 percent to $131.5 million. Traditional office products sales rose 1.6 percent to $325.2 million. Technology sales declined 3 percent to $353.5 million. Furniture sales decreased 3.8 percent to $74.8 million.