One-time Amazon rival closed almost 100 stores in last 2 years

"Remote work and a growing reliance on technology have changed another aspect of office life, too. Gone are the days of heavy dependence on office supplies, the everyday things such as paper, pens and paperclips. Now, if those things are needed, it's just as quick to order them from an online retailer like Amazon so they can arrive at your office door."

"That shift has hurt companies that specialize in office products. That's readily apparent in the latest developments with well-known retailers Office Depot and Office Max. The chain has closed more than 1,100 stores since they merged in 2013 and more shutdowns are likely. In the second quarter of 2025, The Street reports the joint office supply chain closed 60 locations. A handful of others closed in 2024. As of 2025, the store count was 830 locations, down from 922 the previous year."

COVID prompted a major shift to work-from-home and remote offices, eroding the normal 9-to-5 schedule. Remote work and technology reduced routine reliance on paper, pens, and other office supplies, with online retailers offering fast delivery to offices. Those changes have weakened specialty office-supply retailers. Office Depot and Office Max have closed more than 1,100 stores since their 2013 merger, with store count falling from 922 to 830 by 2025 and additional closures ongoing. ODP Corp., owner of both chains, agreed to be taken private by an affiliate of Atlas Holdings to focus on operational efficiency and long-term investments. The deal is expected to close by year end.

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