Office supply retailing
Office supply retailing is the business of selling stationery and other supplies used in offices and schools. Stores carry items like paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, desks, chairs, lamps, computers, monitors, printers, books, picture frames, and even plants. Many shops also offer services such as printing, photo development, lamination and binding, and some provide repair services.
The word stationer comes from medieval times when a stationary storekeeper ran a fixed shop near a university and sometimes bound and lent books.
Today, stores often sell school supplies at the start of the year and also stock technology for learning at home. While desks and printing used to be the main revenue sources, technology and furniture are now major players. The rise of remote work reduced income from big business customers, so many retailers focus more on home office products with home delivery.
Examples of well-known office supply retailers by region:
- Australia: Officeworks, Smiggle, Typo, Winc
- Canada: Staples Canada, Dollarama, Grand & Toy
- United Kingdom: Ryman, Viking Direct, UOE Store
- United States: Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax, Quill, W.B. Mason
- China: Rong Bao Zhai (historic), M&G Stationery (China and Singapore)
Office World was a chain that existed until 2005.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:25 (CET).