School Supplies Wholesaling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: May 2024
NAICS OD5936Revenue
$3.7bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
11,009
Businesses
552
Wages
$XXX.Xm
School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry analysis
School supplies wholesalers have struggled over the five years to 2023 with falling demand and declining supply-chain relevance. Classrooms have become more digitized as computers and tablets become more common, and remaining purchases of school supplies are often being bought from online retailers like Amazon that cut wholesalers out of the supply chain. Still, pent-up demand allowed schools to purchase higher-priced goods, which offset losses in 2020 for many distributors. Wholesaler bypass has weakened revenue growth over the past five years, leading industry-wide revenue to grow at a CAGR of 0.6% over the past five years and is expected to total $3.8 billion in 2023, when revenue will drop by an estimated 2.2%. Compounding the industry's struggles with declining demand amid the digitization of the classroom, vertical integration and wholesaler bypass has severely compressed profit. Lowered demand has intensified competition between school supply wholesalers, who have felt immense pressure to lower their prices to stay in business. On top of this pressure, retailers are more able than ever to buy directly from manufacturers of school supplies, which allows them to lower purchasing costs. The internet has enabled manufacturers to operate low-cost online point-of-sales as well, pinching the industry between two compressing forces. As a result, profit has contracted and consolidation has slowed to a near halt.Over the next five years, a declining number of students in K-12 classrooms will shrink the market for school supplies. Digitization will continue to make the industry's best-selling products obsolete, and wholesaler bypass and vertical integration in downstream markets will fuel the decline of school supply wholesaling. Distributors will need to carefully manage their cost structures to avoid going under, and industry revenue is forecast to sink at a CAGR of 1.2% over the five years through 2028 to total $3.5 billion.
Trends and Insights
- Wholesaler bypass is threatening the industry. The internet gives manufacturers the ability to sell their products directly to major retailers and schools, completely cutting out school supply distributors.
- Office tools are the only resilient segment. As writing supplies, stationary and notebooks become less necessary in the face of digitization, staplers, art supplies and other tools will continue to bring in revenue.
- Population determines the industry's dispersion. Schools are distributed with population, so wholesalers need to be located accordingly to properly supply public and private schools.
- Wholesalers compete for key clients. Established distributors already have existing relationships with major office stores and mass merchandisers, giving them an edge over other wholesalers.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.7bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
A return to the classroom spurned growth
- While demand for school supplies dropped in 2020, revenue declines were offset in 2021 as schools invested in higher-priced goods.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Wholesaler bypass will continue to threaten the industry
- The internet has enabled schools and retailers to skip over wholesalers entirely and buy directly from manufacturers.
Biggest companies in the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
School Specialty Inc. | 276.7 | 3.6 | 1.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Office tools, Writing implements, stamps and stencils and Stationery and loose-leaf paper. Office tools is the largest segment of the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US.
Trends and Insights
Office tools aren't easily replaced
- This segment encompasses miscellaneous office supplies, excluding those made from paper, as well as staplers, rulers, compasses, art supplies and traditional lead pencils.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Office Stationery Wholesaling in the US
- Book, Magazine & Newspaper Wholesaling in the US
Complementors
- Copier & Office Equipment Wholesaling in the US
- Computer & Packaged Software Wholesaling in the US
- Restaurant & Hotel Equipment Wholesaling in the US
International industries
- Office Stationery Wholesaling in Canada
- Paper Product Wholesaling in Australia
- Paper Product Wholesaling in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry is composed of companies that primarily perform merchant wholesale distribution of school equipment and supplies. Operators that distribute books and furniture are excluded from this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Distributing arts and craftsDistributing binders and foldersDistributing calculatorsDistributing staplers, scissors and rulersDistributing paper and notebooksDistributing pens, pencils and markersDistributing glue, tape and self-stick notesDistributing teaching aids and equipmentDistributing classroom decorations and equipmentCompanies
School Specialty Inc.Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
WHOLESALE BYPASSRADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID)E-TAILERIndustry Code
NAICS 42349 - School Supplies Wholesaling in the US
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
Wholesaler bypass is threatening the industry. The internet gives manufacturers the ability to sell their products directly to major retailers and schools, completely cutting...
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 (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- 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
Office tools are the only resilient segment. As writing supplies, stationary and notebooks become less necessary in the face of digitization, staplers, art supplies and other...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
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
Population determines the industry's dispersion. Schools are distributed with population, so wholesalers need to be located accordingly to properly supply public and private ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
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
Wholesalers compete for key clients. Established distributors already have existing relationships with major office stores and mass merchandisers, giving them an edge over ot...
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 2019-2024
- 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
School Specialty is the only major company. Tight profit has long made consolidation uncommon in the industry, reducing the ability for one company to expand its market share...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of School Specialty Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for School Specialty Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
CPSC regulations need to be followed. Because many school supplies are used by children, it's critical for wholesalers to only sell school supplies that meet usage and advert...
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 (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
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
Profit has heavily tightened. Reduced demand and intense price-based internal and external competition have limited wholesalers' ability to pass on heightened input costs and...
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 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
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 (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
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 the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
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 School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is $3.7bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in 2024?
There are 552 businesses in the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US market in United States?
The biggest company operating in the School Supplies Wholesaling market in United States is School Specialty Inc.
What does the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US in United States include?
Distributing arts and crafts and Distributing binders and folders are part of the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is School Specialty Inc..
How competitive is the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the School Supplies Wholesaling in the US industry in United States.
