Business Service Centers & Copy Shops
Description
Companies in this industry operate business service centers, including private mailing centers, copy shops, and other document duplication centers. Major US companies include Allegra Marketing Printing Mail, FedEx, Minuteman Press, Sir Speedy, and The UPS Store. Major companies based outside the US include bpost (Belgium), and Quality Post (Mexico).
Worldwide, business activity is a key driver of industry demand. The global business support services market is forecast to reach about $915 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%, according to The Business Research Company.
The US business service center and copy shop industry includes about 10,200 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $9 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by business spending, particularly spending by small businesses that lack in-house mailing and document preparation operations. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and good customer service. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in purchasing or leasing equipment such as printers and copiers. Small companies can compete by offering highly specialized services, superior customer service, or favorable locations. The US industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 60% of revenue.
Competition may come from government postal services and from retailers -- chiefly office supply stores, consumer electronics outlets, and mass merchandisers -- that offer a variety of document production services. Additionally, business service centers compete with the in-house capabilities of even the smallest potential customers, as printers, copiers, and scanners for the small office/home office (SOHO) market become more advanced and less expensive.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major services are document copying and reproduction, which account for about 60% of the industry revenue; mailroom services and mailbox rentals for about 15%; and packaging and labeling services for about 10%.
Copy centers typically provide self-service photocopying machines that customers can use and pay for by the page. A small staff may be available to offer assistance and to provide more complicated photocopying and reproduction services, such as color copying, image retouching, high-volume printing, and printing on fine stationery. Mailing centers generally provide postal box rental along with packing and shipping services.
Most employees at copy centers need to be familiar with various reproduction and photocopying equipment, as well as PCs and other technology. Some staff members are highly skilled at document layout and design, image color correction, and desktop publishing. Employees at mail centers are knowledgeable about shipping and packing requirements, postal rates, and other rules and regulations regarding sending packages via mail.
The business service center and copy shop industry includes both independently owned and franchised locations. Chains such as the UPS Store and Pak Mail have expanded nationwide largely through franchising and licensing agreements. Franchises allow individual owners to leverage a well-known brand name and benefit from the purchasing efficiencies and operational expertise of the franchiser. Franchise agreements generally cover a specific geographical market and outline operating requirements, such as hours of operation, menu offerings, and pricing.
Worldwide, business activity is a key driver of industry demand. The global business support services market is forecast to reach about $915 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%, according to The Business Research Company.
The US business service center and copy shop industry includes about 10,200 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $9 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by business spending, particularly spending by small businesses that lack in-house mailing and document preparation operations. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and good customer service. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in purchasing or leasing equipment such as printers and copiers. Small companies can compete by offering highly specialized services, superior customer service, or favorable locations. The US industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 60% of revenue.
Competition may come from government postal services and from retailers -- chiefly office supply stores, consumer electronics outlets, and mass merchandisers -- that offer a variety of document production services. Additionally, business service centers compete with the in-house capabilities of even the smallest potential customers, as printers, copiers, and scanners for the small office/home office (SOHO) market become more advanced and less expensive.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major services are document copying and reproduction, which account for about 60% of the industry revenue; mailroom services and mailbox rentals for about 15%; and packaging and labeling services for about 10%.
Copy centers typically provide self-service photocopying machines that customers can use and pay for by the page. A small staff may be available to offer assistance and to provide more complicated photocopying and reproduction services, such as color copying, image retouching, high-volume printing, and printing on fine stationery. Mailing centers generally provide postal box rental along with packing and shipping services.
Most employees at copy centers need to be familiar with various reproduction and photocopying equipment, as well as PCs and other technology. Some staff members are highly skilled at document layout and design, image color correction, and desktop publishing. Employees at mail centers are knowledgeable about shipping and packing requirements, postal rates, and other rules and regulations regarding sending packages via mail.
The business service center and copy shop industry includes both independently owned and franchised locations. Chains such as the UPS Store and Pak Mail have expanded nationwide largely through franchising and licensing agreements. Franchises allow individual owners to leverage a well-known brand name and benefit from the purchasing efficiencies and operational expertise of the franchiser. Franchise agreements generally cover a specific geographical market and outline operating requirements, such as hours of operation, menu offerings, and pricing.
Table of Contents
- Industry Overview
- Quarterly Industry Update
- Business Challenges
- Business Trends
- Industry Opportunities
- Call Preparation Questions
- Financial Information
- Industry Forecast
- Web Links and Acronyms
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