| The term "office supplies" is a generic term that | | | | the overall value of this industry. |
| encompasses all products that are used in the office | | | | Costs |
| by businesses and other types of organizations. These | | | | For businesses, the cost of office supplies is a very |
| products include paperclips, staples, pens and pencils, | | | | large part of their budget. The initial cost will be the |
| and paper. Larger, more expensive products, such as | | | | largest part of their business. They will need to first |
| computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, and | | | | furnish their offices, as well as buy computers, printers, |
| cash registers, are also included in the classification of | | | | and fax machines. These purchases alone are a very |
| "office supplies." Also included are office furniture, such | | | | large investment that can exceed as much as |
| as cubicles and desks. | | | | $20,000, depending on the size of the office. |
| Office supplies are the single largest, as well as the | | | | Alone, the cost of paperclips, staples, paper, pens, and |
| most important expense in most businesses. This is | | | | pencils do not cost very much. However, the large |
| the reason why the office supply industry is a $225 | | | | number of these products required to run a business |
| billion industry and is still growing. The revenue of some | | | | will add up. |
| of the largest retail distributors of office supplies can | | | | Other Products |
| exceed $13 billion a year. | | | | Typically, anything used in an office is considered an |
| Today most office supply companies have also | | | | "office supply." Although not widely recognized, |
| expanded into providing services related to the | | | | cleaning supplies used in the office can also be |
| business, such as acting as copy centers, and creating | | | | classified as an office supply. Products used to clean |
| products such as business cards and personalized | | | | the computers, the floors, and even the restrooms can |
| business stationary. These services are also adding to | | | | also be called an office supply. |