Mailbox & Shipping Store
Small boxes, big recurring revenue
Mailbox stores rent private mailboxes, sell shipping services, and offer printing/copying. The real money is in PO box rentals — monthly recurring revenue from 200-500 boxes per location. Shipping commissions from UPS, FedEx, and USPS add transactional volume. This is a franchise-dominated space but independents thrive in smaller markets.
Avg Revenue
$250K
Profit Margin
25%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3.5x
Startup Cost
$50K - $200K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
Customers rent private mailboxes on monthly or annual plans. You also provide shipping services as an authorized outlet for major carriers, earning commissions on each package. Additional revenue comes from copying, printing, notary, faxing, and packing supplies.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561431 · Private Mail Centers
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | MO | $208K | $245K | 2 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Dec 2025 | NC | $483K | $568K | 6 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Dec 2025 | NC | $663K | $780K | — | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Dec 2025 | WA | $428K | $503K | 2 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Nov 2025 | CA | $550K | $647K | 6 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $350K | $412K | 5 | — |
| Nov 2025 | AL | $397K | $467K | 2 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Nov 2025 | PA | $2.0M | $2.4M | 6 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Nov 2025 | PA | $75K | $88K | 6 | The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box |
| Nov 2025 | PA | $625K | $735K | 2 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Strong recurring revenue from mailbox rentals
- +Multiple revenue streams (shipping, printing, supplies)
- +Low labor — 1-2 employees can run a location
- +E-commerce growth drives shipping volume
Cons
- -Margins on shipping commissions are thin
- -Franchise fees eat into profits if franchised
- -Retail lease costs can be significant
Best For
Retail operators who want recurring revenue with multiple service lines
Operating Costs
Costs include retail lease, 1-2 employee wages, shipping supplies, equipment maintenance (printers, copiers), insurance, and franchise fees if applicable.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find mailbox and shipping stores for sale
Browse postal and shipping business opportunities
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- physical
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $500K–$875K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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