Theo Paphitis returned to the OPI Top 100 in 2022 after taking charge of the day-to-day operations of his Ryman retail chain.
For more on Ryman, click on the links below:
2023
Ryman sees a return to profitability
2022
2021
2020
2018: Chairman Theo Paphitis has owned the Ryman stationery brand since 1995. This year, the company celebrates the 125th anniversary of its first store opening on Great Portland Street, London, in 1893.Â
Ryman’s strategy is to put product innovation and category expansion at the heart of its business. Promotions with the likes of HP, Sharpie and Staedtler have continued to see results, with high-profile marketing campaigns particularly driving the back-to-school period. New stores in key locations such as New Oxford Street, London, are now part of the Ryman portfolio, but there is also continued emphasis on the B2B market, with a new dedicated website and education catalogue.
Both sales and profit were up for the 12 months ended March 2017 for the stationery and office supplies retailer. Sales totalled £128 million ($163 million) which delivered a solid pre-tax profit of £8.3 million – just under 3% higher than in the previous year.
2017: UK stationery chain Ryman, under the leadership of Chairman Theo Paphitis, has put product innovation and category expansion at the heart of its business this year, as well as refocusing on a number of retail fundamentals. A strategy of promotions with the likes of HP, Sharpie and Staetdler has continued to see results, with high-profile marketing campaigns particularly driving the back-to-school period.
Several store refurbishments and relocations, along with a continued focus on a multichannel approach and a B2B proposition, have also given Ryman a boost.
2016: Tackling the challenging high street environment head-on, Ryman has made its move in the contract arena, and recently make a major acquisition in the retail sector.
Ryman launched a B2B website that Chairman Theo Paphitis said showed encouraging signs with businesses signing up across all channels. In October, the company acquired iconic arts and graphics retail brand London Graphic Centre which included the flagship store in London’s Covent Garden, as well as its online business.
Both sales and profit were up for the 12 months ended March 2015 for the stationery and office supplies retailer. Sales totalled £131 million ($189 million at the time) with a healthy pre-tax profit of £7.9 million, just over 3% higher than in the previous year.
2015: The stationery chain continues to register growth under Paphitis’ ownership with record full-year sales to March 2014 (the latest figures available) of £130.6 million ($201 million), up 4.2% on the previous year.
A number of UK high street stores opened this year in “strategic” locations taking the total to over 230 nationwide with some existing stores undergoing refurbishment. A key focus for the rest of the year and beyond is to continue its own multichannel capabilities, new product categories and B2B opportunities.
A major update over the course of 2015 has been a new brand identity for the wider Ryman Group. With the addition of Boux Avenue and Robert Dyas, the group is now known as the Theo Paphitis Group.
