Success Stories

Success Stories: Paperchase

paperchase

Paperchase was originally founded by two art students and is now a multi million pound retail chain. Wholesale Scout looks at their rise to success.

The Paperchase brand was formed in 1968 by Judith Cash and Eddie Pond, two art students who wanted to create stationery with a difference.

The company was known, and is still known, for their innovative stationery designs and quirky products. The duo started out reselling stationery to consumers and the brand quickly grew.

Giant high street retailer WH Smith invested in the company in 1985 which further expanded the company until it was later bought by Borders.

A few years later, in 2009, Borders went into administration and the Paperchase brand was eventually bought in 2010 by Primary Capital.

Paperchase specialises in designing and selling bespoke stationery. Their innovative designs, often created in-house by their design team, can be found on products including diaries, notebooks, planners and envelopes. Consumers can also find a variety of quirky designs on mugs, plates, bags, lunchboxes and accessories. The retailer continues to stand out from its competitors by offering exclusive products that can’t be found elsewhere but the brand also appeals to the masses – selling classic stationery equipment including pens and pencil cases.

There are a number of Paperchase concessions throughout the UK in various department stores. That combined with stand alone stores means there are currently 130 stores across the country. The company also opened stores in Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany and the Middle East.

In 2011 the company turned over £100m and it continues to grow.

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