An office supply store helps neighborhood businesses thrive by setting them up for success. They do so by providing them with the writing utensils, stationery, and technology they need to perform their business duties. Without the right tools at their fingertips, office workers will have a difficult time getting their jobs done. Owners can even help revitalize their local economy community by providing a trusted source of supplies for the businesses in the area.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
DIY: How to Start an LLC
Start an office supply store by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Office Supply Store
- Form your Office Supply Store into a Legal Entity
- Register your Office Supply Store for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Office Supply Store
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Office Supply Store
- Get Office Supply Store Insurance
- Define your Office Supply Store Brand
- Create your Office Supply Store Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your office supply store. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Office Supply Store Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening an office supply store?
Office supply stores do have a high amount of overhead. Not only will you need to purchase all products first, but also rent a space, buy POS devices, and buy advertising to get started. Depending on where you choose to open, you’ll likely need at least $20,000 to $50,000 to even get started. Franchising opportunities are available, but they are fairly limited. You can reduce your costs significantly should you choose to be the sole operator of the office supply store, and only operate online. In this case, you can get started with just the cost of the software (likely around a few thousand dollars), because you’ll be selling wholesale products at a profit only after they’ve been purchased.
What are the ongoing expenses for an office supply store?
Owners should budget in the following expenses for their office supply store:
- Stocking wholesale products
- Paying salaries
- Rent/licensing costs
- Advertising costs
- Building maintenance costs
- Market research
Who is the target market?
The best customers are those with steady office supply needs who know the staff as well as the staff knows them. There will always be a need for supplies as companies expand their services or employee base. You don’t necessarily need to target the big-name companies, but you should plan around your ideal target base. Should you choose to offer high-end, top-of-the-line equipment, you’ll need to ensure your customers are willing to pay the premium for your selection.
How does an office supply store make money?
Supply stores make money by purchasing goods at wholesale prices, and then selling those items for a profit. This can be done either in a brick-and-mortar establishment or through an online store.
How much can you charge customers?
When it comes to the profit margins of office supplies, they tend to be fairly low. Some may only be for a few pennies higher than the wholesale costs, up to a dollar or two at the most. You can charge more for in-demand equipment though. The money made in this business will be mainly based on high volume sales.
How much profit can an office supply store make?
As mentioned, profit is made by volume of sales. At an average profit of $.75 an item, owners can make $3,000 a month if you sell 4,000 items.
How can you make your business more profitable?
The best way to make your business more profitable is to add more demographics as time goes by. You may want to have an entire section devoted to stationary and calligraphy supplies, or design a ‘fun’ section of the store that appeals to young students who want to be organized. If you sell online, consider adding a deal a day section that singles out one incredible product at an equally incredible discount.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your office supply store is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your office supply store were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an office supply store. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
An office supply store is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to an office supply store.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your office supply store will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Office Supply Store needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Office Supply Store.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market an office supply store
You’re trying to appeal to people who want to get more done with less time. Decide if you want to target a certain demographic (e.g., young and hungry entrepreneurs, established businessmen, etc.), and then work on getting out the message. For example, you may want to point out that the printers and copiers you provide allow users to get more advertising power with less effort and money. Promote yourself as a business that’s only successful if your customers are successful.
How to keep customers coming back
Online advertising will likely be your best bet whether you sell online or not. Advertise your best products, and call attention to what makes your business difference. You may even want to go door-to-door so people can see the quality of your supplies.Whether it’s knowledgeable employees, friendly attitudes, or innovative solutions and office packages, you’ll retain customers once you have a solid branding strategy.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
This business is good for someone who can get in the head of a busy entrepreneur. Start-up companies and established conglomerates alike need a store they can rely on, whether their needs are large or small. Owners should also be organized, and have some experience with how most offices function.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at an office supply store?
Office supply store owners should be familiar with the following action items:
- Finding suppliers
- Networking with distributors
- Ordering and restocking products
- Researching new office equipment
- Hiring and scheduling employees
- Developing relationships with local businesses
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful office supply store?
Understanding people will be a huge plus, but so will understanding how offices get bigger and better. Advertising will have to rely on convincing people that the adage of spending money to make money is unquestionably true. Owners should also be organized enough to hire and coordinate a staff, and have a knack for determining which new products will prove to be big money-makers before they’re popular. For example, one major concern plaguing office workers today is how much time is spent sitting. They’re looking for innovative equipment that will mitigate the effects of immobility.
What is the growth potential for an office supply store?
Growth potential can be high for those who understand the trajectory of the market. Major stores like Staples and Office Depot relied for years on the big box design, only to be surprised when sales dropped due to online purchases. However, the constant need for office supplies (and the increase of new start-ups every year) essentially guarantees that the demand will always be high.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting an office supply store?
It may take some time be ready for your business to become profitable as you’re working in a saturated market right now. If you’re planning to operate in a small town with a strong business economy, you should consider opening a regular storefront. You can do delivery options for your long-term clients who order in bulk. However, if you’re planning to operate in a city where rents are high and loyalty is low, you should consider selling online.
Should you choose to sell online, plan to invest in your software. Choosing the wrong type of shopping cart can open you up to hackers, or it may just annoy your customers if it’s not user friendly. If you have a storefront, highlight what makes your business different, and why it makes more business sense to purchase supplies that you can see, touch, and use rather than taking a chance online.
How and when to build a team
If you have a very small store to start or you begin online, you won’t need to build a team. Should you aim for something bigger, look for those have experience with office equipment that can fill in the knowledge gaps you may have. For example, you may have a good eye for understanding the supplies, but perhaps you need help with your organization skills.