Office Supply and Paper Distribution Industry Profile

The US office supply and paper distribution industry includes about 20,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $155 billion. Major companies include Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples, Unisource, and the distribution arms of large paper manufacturers. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate more than half of overall revenue.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is closely tied to the level of business activity. The profitability of individual companies depends on merchandising and an efficient delivery system. Big companies have economies of scale in distribution because they can supply a wide range of products to the same customer. Small companies can compete successfully by distributing specialty products or providing superior customer service.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

The industry distributes general office supplies, technology products, and office furniture. Paper and paper forms and envelopes account for about 35 percent of wholesale revenue. Technology products include personal computers and software, printers, calculators, telephones, etc. Toners and ink cartridges account for 10 percent of revenue.

Big chains, like Office Depot, buy products directly from manufacturers, but also buy specialty items from big wholesalers. Office Depot stocks 13,000 items at its customer service centers. A large wholesaler like United Stationers may buy from 500 manufacturers, stock 40,000 items, and distribute to 20,000 resellers. Local retail outlets usually buy products from several wholesalers. Small retailers are increasingly being squeezed out by the superstore chains, which can undercut prices ...