Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 67% of printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 7.8%.

67%
5-Year Survival Rate
-1.6%
Net Growth Rate
5,253
Total Firms
384
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers a Good Business to Start?

With a 67% five-year survival rate, printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 7.8% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)4.7%
Exit Rate (closures)7.8%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-3.1 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

8.4%
Job Creation Rate
10.1%
Job Destruction Rate
-1.6%
Net Job Growth

The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 127,724 workers across 5,253 firms.

Want to know how much printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers businesses fail?
Approximately 33% of printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 7.8%, with 384 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers industry growing or shrinking?
The printing and writing paper merchant wholesalers industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of -1.6% per year. New businesses are entering at 4.7% while 7.8% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.