Number of Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
5,253
industrial and personal service paper merchant wholesalers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The industrial and personal service paper merchant wholesalers industry has declined 45.1% since 2000 (from 9,575 to 5,253 firms).
- •The peak year was 2002 with 9,918 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-16.7%).
- •Employment: 127,724 workers in 2023 (-42.8% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 67%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5,253 | 7,151 | 127,724 | 4.7% | 7.8% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 5,492 | 7,409 | 130,814 | 4.7% | 8.5% | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 5,728 | 7,746 | 132,937 | 3.9% | 9.3% | -7.9% |
| 2020 | 6,035 | 8,161 | 143,553 | 4.3% | 7.4% | -2.4% |
| 2019 | 6,306 | 8,424 | 147,276 | 3.8% | 7.2% | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 6,570 | 8,715 | 149,535 | 3.5% | 9.5% | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 6,866 | 9,311 | 147,198 | 4.9% | 7.4% | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 6,984 | 9,424 | 152,061 | 7.2% | 8.9% | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 7,235 | 9,551 | 146,609 | 6.2% | 6.8% | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 7,444 | 9,614 | 147,011 | 4.3% | 6.8% | -0.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.