RAPID ONLINE TRADING LTD

Name

RAPID ONLINE TRADING LTD

Legal name

Rapid Online Trading Ltd.

Website

https://rapidonlinetrading.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UK-based private eCommerce operator selling paper, card, personalized address labels, and postal packaging via three branded websites to businesses of all sizes, households, schools, and craft hobbyists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Office and Packaging Supplies

NAICS

General Merchandise Retailers (455), Retail Trade (44-45), Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers (4241), All Other Miscellaneous Retailers (459999)

SIC

Retail-Catalog & Mail-Order Houses (5961), Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

Office, School & Business Supplies Online Retailers (CRAFADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Merchandise Online Retailers (CRAFADAA)

Keywords

• Paper products
• Packaging supplies
• Address labels
• Postal packaging
• Custom printing

Headquarters

HQ city

Stapleford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. eCommerce Retail Sales: Revenue generated through direct online sales of paper, card, labels, and packaging products to businesses and consumers via multiple branded eCommerce websites. The company distributes goods throughout the UK through their owned storefronts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Rapid Online Trading Ltd. is an independent UK eCommerce company operating three branded websites that distribute paper and card products, personalised address and business labels, and postal packaging solutions. The company serves both businesses (of all sizes) and individual consumers (including craft workers, hobbyists, scrapbookers, and schools) throughout the United Kingdom, with retail experience spanning over 40 years.

Product overview

Rapid Online Trading Ltd. operates three eCommerce sub-brands under a unified company structure: First for Paper (paper and card products), Rapid Address Labels (personalized label printing services), and UK Postal Packaging (packaging solutions). The company distributes goods throughout the UK, sourcing from UK and international suppliers, with a history in retailing dating back to the 1940s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First for Paper: Distributor of a wide range of Paper and Card along with other related products. Over 40 years experience supplying paper and related products to businesses, craft workers, schools, hobbyists and scrapbookers. Products include white, coloured, pearlescent, translucent, textured, patterned, carbonless and recycled paper and card in various sizes (A6, A5, A4, A3, A2), plus Pre-Creased Cards, Envelopes, Cello Bags, Film Rolls, and Adhesives.
• Rapid Address Labels
• UK Postal Packaging

Products and services

• First for Paper Distributor of a wide range of paper and card products plus related supplies for businesses, craft workers, schools, hobbyists, and scrapbookers throughout the UK. Offers white, coloured, pearlescent, translucent, textured, patterned, carbonless, and recycled paper and card in A6, A5, A4, A3, and A2 sizes plus bespoke cuts, with additional products including Pre-Creased Cards, Envelopes, Cello Bags, Film Rolls, and Adhesives.
• Rapid Address Labels Supplier of coloured and white personalised, Royal Mail PPI, despatch, and message labels for businesses and private customers throughout the UK. Offers a wide range of label sizes, label colours, and print colours customisable for both address labels and packaging labels.
• UK Postal Packaging Supplier of packaging solutions to protect goods during transportation via Royal Mail or commercial carriers throughout the UK. Products include Padded Bags, Grey Mailing Bags, Book Wraps, Postal Tubes, All Board Envelopes, Open Top Polythene Bags, Grip Seal Bags, and Cellophane Bags.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• Paperchase (UK): UK stationery and paper goods retailer. Partial overlap with First for Paper's card and stationery assortment, particularly in the consumer and craft segments.
• Hobbycraft: UK specialist retailer of craft and hobby supplies including paper, card, and adhesives. Comparable to First for Paper's craft and hobbyist segment, though broader in scope.

Broad incumbents

• Staples UK: UK arm of global office supplies retailer Staples, selling paper, packaging, and labels via online and catalogue channels. Direct competitor in the UK office supplies e-commerce space, though with a much broader catalogue.
• Viking (UK): Established UK office supplies retailer (part of Office Depot) offering paper, labels, and packaging alongside a broader catalogue. Comparable to Rapid's business customer focus but with a much wider product range and institutional scale.
• Amazon UK (Business): Dominant UK online marketplace carrying paper, labels, and packaging from multiple sellers with Prime delivery. A primary competitive pressure on Rapid's commodity categories rather than a niche specialist.
• Lyreco UK: Major European workplace and office supplies distributor with UK operations, supplying paper, labels, and packaging to businesses of all sizes. Comparable business-to-business supply model but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Euroffice: UK online office and business supplies retailer selling paper, labels, and packaging to businesses and consumers. Directly comparable to Rapid Online Trading as a UK-only e-commerce specialist in adjacent paper/office supply categories.
• Paperstone: UK online retailer specialising in paper, card, envelopes, and packaging for businesses. Closely comparable to First for Paper in product mix and customer base.
• Kite Packaging: UK online packaging supplier offering padded bags, mailing bags, postal tubes, and similar products to businesses. Directly comparable to UK Postal Packaging's product line and customer segments.

Regional players

• Bott Ltd: UK supplier of packaging, warehouse, and workshop solutions, including mailing and postal packaging. Comparable product categories to UK Postal Packaging with overlap in B2B packaging buyers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rapid-online-trading-ltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RAPID ONLINE TRADING LTD