From one store in Richmond to national network.

Officeworks has marked its 25th anniversary with a pledge to continue its ambitious growth strategy which has seen the national retail chain increase its annual revenues year-on-year to in excess of $2 billion.

Managing director Sarah Hunter, who succeeded long-time boss Mark Ward at the start of the year, said “The future at Officeworks is very exciting and the opportunity to build on the existing success of the Officeworks team is something I’m very much looking forward to. There’s so much on the cards in the coming year that will continue to help make bigger things happen for our team, our customers and our communities,”

Officeworks opened its first store in Richmond, Victoria, on Sunday 16 June 1994.

The inaugural store opened with 4500 products and around 50 team members. At the time, the store’s best sellers were typewriters and overhead projectors.

Today, Officeworks employs more than 8000 team members and offers more than 40,000 products across office supplies, tech, furniture and print and copy.

The company said copy paper, laptops, persopnal computers and education supplies are among its highest sellers.

Established by the Coles Myer Group in 1994, the original plan was to open 50 stores in Australia. Now part of Perth-based Wesfarmers, the division operates 167 stores across Australia, supported by a significant online business and a growing B2B segment.

Officeworks recently purchased national provider of on-site information, communication and technology services, Geeks2U, opened the world’s largest office supplies store in Mentone, Victoria, and launched a new paid parental policy ‘Growing Families’.

The retailer has deepened its commitment to its national partners, sponsoring a class of 25 students with The Smith Family, as well as donating one literacy pack for students in 25 classrooms with Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF).

Other anniversary celebrations included a lunch for team members who have been with Officeworks or the broader Wesfarmers/Coles Myer businesses for more than 25 years, as well as a Family Fun Day for its customers at the first store in Richmond, Victoria.