Office World | |
Type: | Private company Subsidiary |
Fate: | Acquired |
Successor: | Staples |
Defunct: | 2005 |
Industry: | Retail |
Products: | Office supplies Computing General stationery |
Parent: | Staples UK (previously Globus Retail) |
Office World plc was a chain of British office superstores that ceased trading in 2005 after administration and a company buy-out.
Office World had a number of competitors, including Staples, Stationery Box and Ryman. They sold both branded products (such as Esselte and Banner) and own-brand products (e.g. Office Essentials and Office World).
In 2004, the company was acquired by Staples, who sold off the assets and stock. Office World subsequently became a dormant brand.[1] The Office World brand, assets and stores were sold to Staples UK for the sum of £32.5 million.[2] After the acquisition by Staples, very few Office World stores were converted into Staples due to their proximity to existing Staples stores.[3] Many of the stores were left unoccupied and the final Office World store closed in November 2005.[4]