Industry trends

Developments in technology have affected the traditional stationery business. Computerised electronic devices enable paperless work and provide digital means of documenting and storing information. The rise of electronic communication forms such as e‑mail has also reduced demand for traditional stationery products. Responding to this trend, manufacturers have begun looking to market traditional stationery as gifts or luxury items, offering unique designs with stylish alternatives to the mainstream gold, silver or lacquer finishes.

In most developing countries, however, stationery is still a necessity rather than a luxury, as people there have fewer electronic devices. The demand for stationery tends to increase moderately in line with a rise in the working population and with increased literacy in general. These customers tend to be price‑sensitive, which means that reducing prices through mass production of similar products continues to be the main strategy for most companies.

Competition in the stationery industry is keen, which adds pressure on prices. As well as taking cost‑cutting measures, such as relocating to less expensive production bases, suppliers need to counter this pressure through innovation, making use of striking designs and attractive colours, and by reaching out to new target groups. Manufacturers can no longer regard themselves as just the sellers of a product. Increasingly, products must be sold along with a concept.

Amid the workplace disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a decline in the consumption of many types of office stationery, including printer supplies, filing and binding stationery. With many business meetings now being held online, the consumption of supplies used in conference rooms, such as pen, notepads and whiteboards, has also fallen. Looking forward, demand for stationery is shifting from traditional offices towards home offices. Businesses are migrating most paper work to digital platforms and increasingly investing in at‑home office supplies to equip employees working from their own homes.