Ryman is the retail stationery chain associated with Dragon Theo Paphitis.
Paphitis acquired Ryman, the stationery retailer, in 1995. The chain became one of the central businesses in his entrepreneurial career and helped make him a familiar name in British retail. Ryman sells stationery, office supplies and related products through shops and online channels.
Paphitis later became a Dragon on the BBC’s UK business-investment programme. His retail experience influenced the kinds of questions he asked entrepreneurs about stores, customers, margins and repeat sales. He was especially associated with examining whether a product could move beyond a single successful pitch into a sustainable retail business.
Ryman is sometimes confused with other British stationery brands, including WHSmith and Paperchase. Those are separate companies. The useful identifying fact is that Theo Paphitis bought Ryman in 1995 and later became one of the investors on Dragon's Den.