Office Supplies

The major types of products stocked by these suppliers are stationery, computer stationery, office furniture, and consumables such as glue, bags, and files etc.

Stationery describes a range of desk top instruments such as hole punches, staplers and staples, tapes and dispensers; drawing instruments such as brushes, colour pencils, crayons, water colours; erasers; inks and toners; filing and storage supplies and mailing and shipping supplies; paper and pads such as wire bound notebooks, office paper and writing pads. Office paper is a particular subset of stationery and has various subcategories for use in laser printers, copiers and other office equipment.

Computer stationery includes magnetic media devices such as CDs and DVDs, USB drives, printer supplies and bifold paper. Increasingly computer stationery as a category is expanding to include items which historically have been viewed as computer equipment. This includes previously expensive but now easily produced items such as mouse, keyboards, USB devices and even printers. Office furniture includes seating, desk systems, filing & storage solutions, tables, reception desks and furniture, presentation equipment and other business accessories.

Office supplies may be purchased from a number of different suppliers such as retail outlets, department stores, specialist stationers and even novelty stores. Corporate stationery and office supply is most commonly under contract, with agreed pricing levels and delivery time frames.