Ryman

Ryman (the stationer) is the largest British stationery retailer, historically based in London, now based in its £100m headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire. It was founded in 1893 by Henry J Ryman who opened the first store on Great Portland Street, London and was successfully owned and managed by the Ryman family until the 1970s. After it was sold it had a chequered history for a couple of decades, changing hands several times and experiencing some p... more

Ryman (the stationer) is the largest British stationery retailer, historically based in London, now based in its £100m headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire. It was founded in 1893 by Henry J Ryman who opened the first store on Great Portland Street, London and was successfully owned and managed by the Ryman family until the 1970s. After it was sold it had a chequered history for a couple of decades, changing hands several times and experiencing some periods of poor performance. Theo Paphitis, who is one of the Dragons on BBC's Dragons' Den, acquired Ryman in 1995 and has since turned it into successful and profitable businesses comprising 350 stores with a group turnover of more than £250m. Developments by Paphitis have included sponsorship of the English football Premier Division and Division One of the Isthmian League. He introduced the 'Ryman Direct' mail order catalogue in 1996, the Ryman website in 1998, and has utilised promotional campaigns in the London press. In 2001 Paphitis... less