Office Supply Stores in Canada - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
New York, United States
Last Updated: September 2023
NAICS 45321CARevenue
$3.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
12,710
Businesses
1,219
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Office Supply Stores in Canada industry analysis
Office supply stores are highly reliant on sales to business across the economy, offering products ranging from computers to pencils and services like custom printing and tech assistance. As businesses and educational institutions increasingly shift to operating through digital platforms, demand for many traditional office supplies has dwindled, resulting in falling sales. External competition is rising sharply, with large retailers like Amazon and Walmart offering the same or similar products and services at lower prices, siphoning away customers. As a result, revenue has been declining at a CAGR of 3.5% over the past five years and is expected to reach $3.0 billion in 2023, when revenue will contract an estimated 6.0%.Rising internal and external competition has placed great pressure on profit. To effectively compete with discount and large online retailers, office supply stores must often reduce prices, eating away at returns. Many offer ancillary services as a means to differentiate from such businesses, but internal competition results in similar issues, as shops compete with one another based on price and quality of service. Concurrently, wage costs are rising, as shops hire experienced workers to manage e-commerce platforms who command higher salaries, further deteriorating profit.Over the five years to 2028, revenue is expected to plateau, as businesses increase purchases and some move operations back into physical office spaces. Rising consumer confidence will likely benefit shops, as consumers opt less frequently for the cheapest option and are willing to spend greater sums at office supply stores. Still, the threat of external retailers and internal competition will persist and some will be forced to shutter their doors. Ultimately, revenue is forecast to stagnate over the next five years, remaining at $3.0 billion in 2028.
Trends and Insights
- The rise of remote work practices accelerates declining sales trends. The pandemic resulted in a rise in remote-work scenarios, with many businesses adopting permanent hybrid or full-time remote schedules in its wake. Without employees in office, spending on such supplies contracted sharply, hurting revenue.
- Sales of computers and related tech products are rising. As businesses and educational institutions increasingly shift operations to the digital sphere, demand for computers, tablets, laptops and related goods is rising fast, offering an olive branch for suffering office supply shops.
- Densley populated urban areas are highly beneficial to shop owners. In large cities, like Montreal and Toronto, higher rates of foot traffic often translate to greater and more consistent sales; however, operational costs are often higher, as rent and wages are typically greater.
- Competition among office supply stores is fierce. Since many office supply stores sell an array of the same or similar products and brands, competition is stiff, with many competing based on quality of service, price and areas of specialization.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.0bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The shift to remote work accelerates detrimental trends
- Businesses represent the largest market for office supply stores, as their products are used throughout office environments.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Gradual returns to in-office practices will benefit office supply shops
- While many companies have fully adopted hybrid or fully remote working models, others have made no secret of their disdain for such practices, pining to return to traditional in-office work.
Biggest companies in the Office Supply Stores in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 | Profit ($m)
2023 | Profit Margin (%)
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Staples Canada Inc. | 927.7 | 53.9 | 5.8 | |
Monk Office Supply Ltd. | 21.1 | N/A | N/A | |
Office Pro Inc. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Office Supply Stores in Canada
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Office supplies, Office paper and Stationery. Office supplies is the largest segment of the Office Supply Stores in Canada.
Trends and Insights
With fewer in-office workers, demand for traditional office supplies flounders
- Traditional office supplies include office equipment, like shredders and copy machines, packaging supplies, paper and school supplies, like pencils, pens and notebooks.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Used Goods Stores in Canada
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada
Complementors
- Furniture Stores in Canada
- Consumer Electronics Stores in Canada
International industries
- Office Supply Stores in the US
- Online Office Furniture Sales in the US
- Stationery Goods Retailing in Australia
- Stationery Goods Retailing in New Zealand
- Newsagents & Stationery Stores in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Office Supply Stores industry in Canada primarily sells stationery, school supplies and office supplies. Stores may also sell a combination of new computers, office equipment, furniture and supplies. This industry does not include general merchandisers or electronic retailers.
What's included in this industry?
Retailing office suppliesRetailing school suppliesRetailing stationery Retailing furnitureRetailing computers and computer peripheralsCompanies
Staples Canada Inc.Monk Office Supply Ltd.Office Pro Inc.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BIG-BOX STOREE-COMMERCEPOINT-OF-SALE (POS) SYSTEMBRICK-AND-MORTAROMNICHANNELIndustry Code
NAICS 453210 - Office Supply Stores in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The rise of remote work practices accelerates declining sales trends. The pandemic resulted in a rise in remote-work scenarios, with many businesses adopting permanent hybrid...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Sales of computers and related tech products are rising. As businesses and educational institutions increasingly shift operations to the digital sphere, demand for computers,...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Densley populated urban areas are highly beneficial to shop owners. In large cities, like Montreal and Toronto, higher rates of foot traffic often translate to greater and mo...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition among office supply stores is fierce. Since many office supply stores sell an array of the same or similar products and brands, competition is stiff, with many co...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Staples Canada embraces digital shopping with new eCommerce platform. The digital site will enable Staples to quickly harness new trends in the industry by changing its onlin...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Staples Canada Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Monk Office Supply Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Office Pro Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Staples Canada Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Monk Office Supply Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Office Pro Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Office supply stores receive very little assistance. Industry assistance mostly comes in the form of industry associations, which provide insights, educational materials, lob...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wage costs rise despite declining employment levels. As e-commerce operations become increasingly important for retailers, many are downsizing brick-and-mortar locations, res...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
- Assets (2016-2021)
- Liabilities (2016-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada in 2024?
The market size of the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada is $3.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Office Supply Stores in Canada industry in 2023?
There are 1,219 businesses in the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada has been declining at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Office Supply Stores market in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Office Supply Stores market in Canada are Staples Canada Inc., Monk Office Supply Ltd. and Office Pro Inc.
What does the Office Supply Stores in Canada include?
Retailing office supplies and Retailing school supplies are part of the Office Supply Stores industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Office Supply Stores in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in Canada is Staples Canada Inc..
How competitive is the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Office Supply Stores industry in Canada.
