Former retail giant has closed over 1,000 locations

Office supply stores have been facing a decline in recent years, with many struggling to stay afloat in the era of online shopping. One such chain that has been in a steady decline is Office Depot. The company merged with Office Max in 2013, creating a combined chain of about 1,900 U.S. stores. However, the industry was already in decline at the time of the merger, and the two companies announced plans to close 400 stores.

The rise of online shopping has hit office supply stores particularly hard, as consumers increasingly turn to online retailers like Amazon for their paper, toner, and technology needs. Analysts have long called for consolidation in the sector, which has seen sales decline, especially during economic downturns like the recession.

Office Depot, once a public company, reported in a recent SEC filing that it had 822 locations as of November 5, 2025. Since then, the company has continued to close stores, but as a private entity, it no longer provides updated store counts.

Some of the Office Depot locations that have closed since November 2025 include:

– High Point, NC: The Office Depot store at the Peters Plaza IV shopping center on Eastchester Drive closed on December 20.
– Fresno, CA: The Office Depot on Divisadero Street shut down in February.

These closures are part of a larger trend of office supply stores struggling to maintain relevance in an increasingly digital retail landscape. As more consumers opt to shop online for their office supply needs, brick-and-mortar stores like Office Depot are finding it challenging to compete. Despite efforts to streamline operations and close underperforming locations, the future for office supply stores remains uncertain. After more than 30 years in business, Office Depot is facing closures across the country as property owners decline to renew leases. The closure of the Office Depot in Fresno, California, was reported by CBS47, with employees confirming that the property owner had decided not to renew the lease.

In Ballard, Washington, the OfficeMax closed on April 11, 2026, after the building was purchased by AutoZone for $7.8 million in late 2025, according to My Ballard. Similarly, in Porterville, California, the OfficeMax at 1260 W. Henderson Ave., the city’s only major office supply store, is closing as part of a pickup in OfficeMax closures that accelerated in 2025, as reported by Recorder Online.

In Merriam, Kansas, the OfficeMax at Merriam Town Center near Johnson Drive and Antioch Road is also closing, with liquidation sales already underway after more than a decade at that location, according to Johnson County Post.

Additional closures have been reported in Pensacola, Florida; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Eugene, Oregon; and Meridian, Mississippi. Office Depot continues to close stores across the country, with locations in Grapevine and Irving, Texas, also expected to shut down soon, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.

One of the main reasons for the decline in traditional office supply stores like Office Depot is the rise of online shopping, particularly through Amazon. Office supplies like printer paper, pens, and notepads have become commodities that people can easily buy online or while shopping elsewhere. Amazon has taken a significant share of the office supply market, much like Walmart and Target did with Toys “R” Us in the past.

With consumers no longer making dedicated trips to buy office supplies, traditional brick-and-mortar stores like Office Depot are struggling to compete. As Amazon continues to dominate the retail landscape, Office Depot and other similar stores are facing challenges in attracting customers and remaining profitable. The office supplies industry has been facing a steady decline, according to data from IBISWorld. Since 2005, office supplies stores have been experiencing consistent revenue declines, with an average annual rate of 6.7% since 2016. This decline is attributed to increased competition and the digitization of work processes.

In order to survive in this challenging environment, RTM Nexus CEO Dominick Miserandino believes that office supply stores need to undergo a major transformation. He suggests that these stores should evolve into more than just places to purchase office supplies. Instead, they could become in-person event and conference centers where customers can print signs and other materials.

This shift in strategy is crucial for the survival of office supply stores in the face of increasing competition and changing consumer preferences. By providing additional services and creating a more interactive and engaging experience for customers, these stores can differentiate themselves and attract more foot traffic.

This trend of reimagining retail spaces is not unique to the office supplies industry. Companies like Nike have also been closing stores and rethinking their retail strategy to adapt to changing consumer behavior. By following suit and embracing change, office supply stores can stay relevant and thrive in a rapidly evolving market.

This article was originally published by TheStreet on July 1, 2026, and first appeared in the Retail section. For more retail news and updates, visit TheStreet’s website. The Importance of Mental Health in Today’s Society

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