In an effort to survive in an increasingly competitive marketplace, companies have become one-stop print shops that offer products outside of their core range. For example, paper merchants have not only diversified and increased their product range, but also run the risk of spreading themselves too thin and this is a potentially risky move. There is also the danger of diversifying resources and moving into an unknown market that can be very competitive filled with companies that have more expertise and experience.

Robert Horne and PaperCo are two examples of paper merchants who have diversified over the years and established one-stop shops. Horne stocks all kinds of paper from all over the world. PaperCo has expanded its product range with the purchase of several companies including Donington Packaging, 1st Class Packaging and Parkside Packaging – all part of the industrial packaging industry. This has made PaperCo a single source option.

However, the general trend among printers is to resist becoming a one-stop shop because of credit issues with a desire to get back to basics with simpler business models.