Office supply stores have long been a staple in the retail industry, but with the rise of online shopping, many brick-and-mortar locations are feeling the effects. Office Depot, a once prominent chain, has been in a steady decline in recent years.
The merger of Office Depot with Office Max in 2013 was a strategic move to consolidate the industry, but it did not stop the downward trend. The combined chain operated about 1,900 U.S. stores following the merger, but the companies announced plans to close 400 stores at the time of the deal. The industry was already struggling, with shoppers increasingly turning to online retailers like Amazon, drugstores, and mass merchants for their office supply needs.
As a result, Office Depot has been forced to close more than half of its stores since 2013. The company, which is no longer public, reported in a recent SEC filing that it had 822 locations as of November 5, 2025. Since then, the chain has continued to shed locations, but no longer provides a store count as a private company.
Some of the recent closures include the Office Depot in High Point, NC, which closed its store at the Peters Plaza IV shopping center on December 20. In Fresno, CA, the Office Depot on Divisadero Street shut down in February. These closures are just a few examples of the ongoing decline of the once thriving office supply chain.
With more and more consumers turning to online retailers for their office supply needs, traditional brick-and-mortar stores like Office Depot are facing an uphill battle for relevance. The shift towards e-commerce has made it difficult for retailers that rely on in-person interactions and physical stores to compete in today’s digital age. As a result, the future of Office Depot and other office supply chains remains uncertain as they struggle to adapt to changing consumer preferences and shopping habits. After more than 30 years in business, Office Depot is facing closures across the country, with employees reporting that the property owner declined to renew the lease. This news comes from CBS47, which confirms that the company is shutting down multiple locations, including the one in Fresno, CA.
In Ballard (Seattle), WA, the OfficeMax closed on April 11, 2026, after the building was purchased by AutoZone for $7.8 million in late 2025, as reported by My Ballard. Similarly, in Porterville, CA, the OfficeMax at 1260 W. Henderson Ave., the city’s only major office supply store, is also closing, in line with a trend of OfficeMax closures that accelerated in 2025, according to Recorder Online. Additionally, the OfficeMax at Merriam Town Center near Johnson Drive and Antioch Road in Merriam, KS, is shutting down after more than a decade at that location, with liquidation sales already underway, as reported by Johnson County Post.
Other locations that have closed based on social media reports include Pensacola, FL, Albuquerque, NM, Eugene, OR, and Meridian, MS. These closures are part of a larger trend of Office Depot stores shuttering across the country.
One of the reasons for these closures is the rise of e-commerce giants like Amazon, which has taken a significant share of the office supply market. Office supplies such as printer paper, pens, and notepads have become commodities that consumers can easily purchase online or while shopping at other retailers. This shift in consumer behavior has led to a decline in foot traffic at brick-and-mortar office supply stores like Office Depot.
Amazon’s dominance in the retail market has been steadily increasing, with the company surpassing Walmart in terms of gross merchandise value in 2025, according to a report by Seeking Alpha. This shift in retail dynamics has had a significant impact on traditional retailers like Office Depot, leading to store closures and financial challenges.
As Office Depot continues to navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how the company will adapt to the changing retail landscape and compete with e-commerce giants like Amazon. The office supplies industry has been facing a steady decline, according to data from IBISWorld. The industry has been experiencing consistent revenue declines since 2005, with an average annual rate of decline at 6.7% since 2016. This decline can be attributed to increased competition and the shift towards digital work environments.
In order for office supply stores to survive in this challenging landscape, RTM Nexus CEO Dominick Miserandino believes that a major change is necessary. Miserandino suggests that office supply stores should pivot towards becoming more of a destination for in-person events and conferences, where customers can print signs and other deliverables on-site. This shift in focus could potentially attract more foot traffic and revenue to these stores.
As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for office supply stores to adapt to changing consumer needs and preferences. By offering additional services and creating a more interactive and engaging experience for customers, these stores can differentiate themselves from online competitors like Amazon and Costco.
This article was originally published by TheStreet on July 1, 2026, and highlights the challenges facing the office supplies industry. By staying ahead of trends and embracing innovation, office supply stores can overcome these challenges and thrive in a competitive market. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations being made every day. From the latest smartphones to cutting-edge artificial intelligence, there is always something new and exciting to discover in the tech industry. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the field of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
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