Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

The 2,000 firms in the US sell office supplies, school supplies, stationery, computers, office equipment and furniture at retail. Firms may also offer business-related services, such as printing, copying, mailing and shipping, or technology-related services, such as software installation.

Competition from Alternative Stores

Office supply and stationery retailers face stiff competition from a variety of alternative brick-and-mortar channels, including wholesale clubs, discount stores, mass merchandisers, food and drug stores, and computer and electronic stores.

Competition from Online Retailers

Like most of the retail industry, office supply and stationery retailers face intense competition from online-only channels, which offer convenience and enjoy lower overhead costs.

Oct 6, 2026 - Back-to-School Spending Provides Retail Tailwind

• Stronger back-to-school demand is providing a seasonal lift for retailers while commercial credit conditions remain relatively stable, according to Experian. Total back-to-school spending is expected to approach $150 billion in 2026 after two years of declines, with K-12 spending projected to rise about 10% and college spending up 17%. So far in 2026, Experian found that the average commercial balance per retail business increased 13% from 2025 to $25,900, while revolving credit utilization and serious delinquency remained broadly stable. Retail subsectors tied to back-to-school shopping include books and office supplies. Office supplies and stationery stores could benefit from stronger student-related spending, while higher retailer borrowing balances may reflect the working-capital demands of maintaining inventory and funding seasonal purchasing ahead of peak sales periods.
• Staples is broadening its marketing around workplace solutions as the office supplies retailer places greater emphasis on enterprise and business customers, according to Marketing Dive. A new "Hard Button" campaign contrasts workplace problems with the simplicity of using Staples. It is being promoted through streaming video, social media, out-of-home advertising, digital displays, and sales collateral. The campaign highlights situations involving restroom supplies, printing, and other workplace needs, while Staples also plans to increase consumer-focused messaging during the fourth quarter and holiday season. The strategy illustrates how office supplies and stationery stores can expand beyond traditional product sales by promoting printing, facilities supplies, and other business services. Greater emphasis on recurring workplace needs may also help retailers deepen relationships with commercial customers and diversify revenue beyond consumer office-supply purchases.
• US consumers are becoming more selective about where they spend as household budgets remain under pressure, according to marketing data firm Circana. Overall retail spending increased 0.8% in August from a year earlier, while unit demand declined 1.7%, suggesting higher dollar sales did not translate into broader volume growth. Nearly 60% of surveyed shoppers said they were exercising greater caution or reducing discretionary spending, while another 30% remained selective but continued to spend in categories they value most. Circana also noted that back-to-school shopping shifted later into August, making promotional timing increasingly important. Office supplies and stationery stores may need to emphasize essential products, trusted brands, value, and well-timed promotions as shoppers scrutinize purchases and concentrate spending on products they consider necessary.
• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data, sourced from the US Census Bureau, show that sales at office supply and stationery stores increased in July. Industry sales totaled $592 million on a not-seasonally-adjusted basis, up from $551 million in June and $545 million in May. However, sales at office supply and stationery stores in July 2026 were down 10.3% compared with the same month in 2025. The monthly gain suggests stronger spending at office supplies and stationery stores as retailers moved deeper into the summer and early back-to-school selling period. Because the series is not seasonally adjusted, some of the increase may reflect normal seasonal purchasing patterns. Still, improving sales can support inventory turnover and revenue for retailers entering one of the industry's most important demand periods.

Industry size & Structure

The average office supply and stationery retailer employs about 22 workers and generates $4.1 million annually.

• The office supply and stationery retailing industry consists of about 2,000 firms that employ 43,500 workers and generate about $8 billion annually.
• The industry is highly concentrated; the top eight companies account for 83% of industry revenue.
• Large firms include ODP Corporation (Office Depot and Office Max) and Staples. Stationery retail chains include Hallmark Gold Crown (independently owned and stores owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc.) and Paper Source (Elliot Investment Management).