Grand & Toy
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1882 |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Products | Paper, Office Supplies, Computer Supplies |
| Employees | 2700[1] |
| Parent | OfficeMax |
| Website | http://www.officemaxcanada.com |
OfficeMax Grand & Toy is a Canadian office supplies chain, founded in 1882 by James Grand as a home-based stationery printing business. A year later, Grand partnered with his brother-in-law, Samuel Toy, to open their first retail store in Toronto.[2]
In 1996, Grand & Toy was purchased by Boise Office Solutions, since renamed OfficeMax Inc., a US-based international office supplies distributor, for US$$104 million.[3]
Major competitors include Staples and Office Depot.
G&T has closed many of its retail stores, especially in Ontario and suburban malls. The chain's stores are in urban areas and close to their core business customers.
Grand & Toy is commonly misconceived by the public as being a retail school supply store. In recent years, the company has distanced itself from selling school supplies, to focus on selling products such as office supplies, office furniture, meeting supplies, computer supplies and professional services, such as web design, shipping, and human resources. [citation needed]
Products & services
- Office Supplies
- Interiors
- Technology
- Professional Services
- Paper
- Print & Copy Centers
- Promotional Solutions
- Facility Supplies
Brief history
- 1882 - Company founded in Toronto at Colborne Street and Leader Lane
- 1895 - Toronto head office established on Wellington Street and Jordan Street
- 1926 - First retail store opened at 332 Bay Street, Toronto (closed 1981)
- 1955 - Head office moved to Don Mills at 33 Green Belt Drive
- 1962 - First computer installed
- December 1964 - First million dollar month
- November 1987 - First $20 million month
- June 1990 - Cara Operations Limited acquires G & T
- February 1996 - Boise Cascade Office Products acquires G & T
- May 1998 - Vaughan, Ontario distribution centre & Toronto branch opened
- 2003 - Boise purchases OfficeMax
- 2004 - Boise divests paper and wood products manufacturing and building materials distribution businesses, and renames itself OfficeMax
- 2007 - Grand & Toy celebrates 125 years in business
- 2008 - Grand & Toy launches DHL shipping centres at all of its retail locations across Canada.[4]
- 2009 - Grand & Toy opens new concept stores located in Vancouver
- 2010 - Grand & Toy continues the roll out of new concept Business Centre stores in Toronto
- 2013 - Company officially changes its name to OfficeMax Grand & Toy
References
- ↑ "Industry Canada: Grand & Toy Ltd. - Complete Profile". Retrieved 2006-07-05.
- ↑ "Grand & Toy: Corporate History". Retrieved 2006-07-05.
- ↑ "Boise Cascade Corp: 10K Annual Report". Retrieved 2006-07-05.
- ↑ "Boise Cascade Home Page". Retrieved 2006-07-05.