Product trends

Technology-driven stationery

The proliferation of computers and mobile devices has had a significant impact on the development of stationery products. The stationery industry is exploring new growth areas, using new technology to modify traditional stationery items. For example, the combination of smart pen technology, digital ink, cloud storage and artificial intelligence (AI) enables handwriting and drawings on paper to be converted into text and image formats on screens. One illustration of this is Moleskine’s Smart Writing System, which consists of a smart pen and smart notebooks that enable users to instantly convert handwritten notes and plans to digital copies on a mobile app. Another growth area is the sale of computer consumables such as printing papers, labels, mouse pads, printer inks and USB devices.

Green stationery

Green office products, such as notebooks made from recycled paper and biodegradable pens, are gaining popularity. This is due both to growing consumer awareness on environmental issues and advances in technology and manufacturing processes that have lowered the cost of producing recyclable stationery. Paper products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are increasingly in demand. FSC certification ensures that paper products are made from wood taken from responsibly managed forests, providing a guarantee of a high level of environmental and social responsibility from forest to manufacturer to merchant. There has also been greater emphasis on recycled, plastic‑free and compostable materials in stationery products and packaging. For example, the Mitsubishi Pencil Company, which is known for its uni brand, has launched campaigns to reduce carbon emissions, replace plastic packaging with paper and develop longer‑lasting stationery products.

Personalised stationery

While demand for traditional stationery is declining as companies move to paper‑free environments, personalised stationery is becoming more popular. This can be seen on e‑commerce sites such as Etsy.com, which has multiple stores selling personalised products like customised note cards, business card holders and monogrammed leather notebooks. Brands such as Typo, kikki.K and Moleskine also offer personalised stationery to drive sales in this relatively higher value‑added market segment.

High-end writing instruments

In recent years, growing numbers of people have taken up creative and meditative activities like calligraphy as a way of taking a break from the digitalised world. Activities like this are likely to drive up sales of high‑end writing instruments and stationery supplies such as branded fountain pens and inkwells, particularly in developed countries – although demand is likely to remain niche. High‑end writing instruments also signify craftsmanship and quality and, because of this, remain popular as gifts for both personal and corporate occasions.