Stationery Market in the e-Century October 18, 2007
Posted by author in : Stationery , add a commentttnet.net - [2007/02/05]
The stationery market comprises a wide spectrum of products from writing instruments, paper products, back-to-school stationery, office stationery to computer stationary, etc. A broad portfolio of products include paper stationery, plastics office/school supplies, writing ink, writing utensils, staples, crayons, letter openers, pencil cases, chalk boards, memo boxes, file rings, push pins and adhesives. In term of materials, five key categories of stationery are consisted of, namely plastic, metal, ink and paint, pen and paper products for professional and fashion markets. All these varieties have undergone different changes with time by the virtue of new international and modern classifications. Writing InstrumentsWriting instruments, such as pens, pencils and markers, have long been part of our daily life. Handwriting highlights the value of legibility, attention to detail, neatness, and correctness, also enables us to reveal our thoughts, add intimacy to a letter and detail our personality. However, the advent of computers and relevant technologies largely reduces the use of writing instruments. People often use computers, e-mail, msn or, even VoIP to communicate for better efficiency and convenience. Yet, we type to express ourselves with the same fonts and fixed sizes, which makes communications lack of personal touches. Writing and receiving a beautiful hand written note is the ultimate expression of luxury communication. By this, it seems there is nothing that will ever replace the sincerity and individualism delivered through the handwritten words. In fact, we see many innovations on appearance designs or on functionality, adapting to ever-changing demands in evolving modern society.New pens spotlights on “comfort” benefit through ergonomic designs, namely on elaborate grip zones and smoothly flowing pigmented ink. Ball pens are developed in two major categories: giveaways or collectibles. High-quality ball pens in colorful designs often steal the hearts of young generations. Popular are quality-sensing colors, like honey, bois de rose, chocolate and Persian blue. Recently, a new automatic pencil is launched to offer uninterrupted writing without the need to push for refills. Highlighters are must-have writing instrument while taking a note. Markers are added with licensed comic figures Paper ProductsThe increasing use of computers, printers, internet and email is boosting the demand for office papers although the call for “paperless office” is still loud. Perhaps, the bare visibility is not enough while the tangibility could be more reliable and secured while making a backup. Major paper products focuses on the themes with a feeling of romantic nostalgia, retro-style and exotic destinations and in pastel colors such as honey, sky, tangerine, mint and pink contrast with intense black. They are often made in materials such as handmade, glossy or matte paper or rice paper, brushed metal, transparent plastic, high-sheen glass, and faux metal or suede and decorated with mini or compose designs, stripes, marbling and clouds, fake flora and fauna, imitation snake, reptile or crocodile skin, and historic symbols from the worlds of architecture. The comeback of the renaissance of traditional methods of production is to be seen in that part of the world of written communication. The growing motives to preserve memories and respect family lives will raise the sales of journals, scrapbooks and photo albums. Back-to-school StationeryAccording to a survey, school children tend to spend their own money on back-to-school stationery such as writing instruments, folders, notebooks, binders, backpacks and organizers if their parents aren’t willing to purchase. They are quiet trend-sensitive and prefer to buy things that can express their sense of style in functionality and colorfulness. Private labels are also crucial in decision-making, the brand awareness is sourced from advertising. Office StationeryModern offices are added with high-tech senses. Office stationery follows the consumers’ desire for luxury and makes use of material from top quality plastics, wood, metal in gold, silver or bronze form, textiles, leather and suede to glass and transparent materials, which are seen in desk pads, rolodex files, filing boxes, scissors, binders, calendars, etc. in trendy dark shades and colors including fire, khaki, ochre, baize green and indigo. Quality brand stationery has been echo-friendly among consumers due to their quality-sensing look, multi-functionality, brand-new designs and environmentally-friendly approach. Computer Stationery
PC peripherals as stationery include optic disk storage boxes, mouse pads, wrist rests, footrests, armrests, document holders, keyboard trays and more. As computer price tends to sink with time, computer stationery at lower price and of more options is offered. The ergonomic designs are welcome as PC users are aware of the importance of avoiding computer-related health problems, often attributed to repetitive use of the hand and/or wrist on operating mouse or keyboards. These discomforts include eye and vision problems, stress, aching backs, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even more. Nowadays, the ergonomics has widely applied in the designs of PC accessories for the user-friendly benefits on effort-saving and more comfortable operation.
Paper Stationery Touches in Old-fashioned Fidelity
Posted by author in : Stationery , add a commentttnet.net - [2006/06/02]
Paper stationery functions as a corner stone of each civilization, which incorporates each and every commodity like greeting cards, schoolbooks, journals, notebooks, photo albums, etc. Aesthetics as a visual appeal is an increasingly common concern while features and functionality are also inevitable. For instance, greeting cards with high-style looks and eye-catching embellishments are gaining favor with consumers who are itching for “something special”. We also see a rise in the use of nostalgic and vintage photos on greeting cards, especially those with a scrapbook feel. Personalization is a key element in paper stationery territory, often seen in customized invitations or initial-emblazoned memo paper when consumers want their possessions as reflections of themselves. Retro-inspired designs jump particularly on greeting cards, scrapbooks and giftwraps. Paper stays prevailingly white even though we can economically use virtually any color. Colors for 2006 tend to be warmer, clearer and brighter. Here, reddened orange will take the place of coppery hues as yellow will regain its importance. We also see a rising demand for 2006 World Cup themed items especially in paper stationery sector.
GREETING CARDS
The exchange of greeting cards is one of the most widely accepted customs around the world. It is regarded as a convenient way and inexpensive way to deliver good wills and draw family and friends closer. Basically, there are two types of greeting cards, namely seasonal cards (mostly for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.) and everyday (such as birthday, anniversary, get well, etc.) both in 50% share respectively. Noticeably, women consume over 80% of all greeting cards in spite that men tend to spend more on single card than women. Although there are too many options for correspondence and communication, ranging from email or e-cards, text messaging, phone calls and Internet chat-rooms, the majority of people who see family and friends as the most significant priorities in their lives still prefer the old-fashioned handwritten card to make recipients feel important and truly special. It’s interesting that the popularity of electronic forms of communications doesn’t erode the sales of traditional greeting cards but somewhat triggers an upswing in demand while most consumers see e-cards as something transient or even treat, which can’t be saved and cherished as a way to bring “yesterday” once more- any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved.
Farewell to “personal fulfillment and “cocooning” in the past decade, consumers are focusing outward and pleased to nurture their relationships with others, by means of making use of greeting cards to accompany a gift, as memories for their sentimental value with illustrations and ready-made poets, which help express emotions they might not otherwise dare to speak of. Each year, more than 90% of all U.S. households purchase greeting cards, raking in nearly $7.5 billion in retail sales or 7 billion greeting cards in number.
“More is more” comes with an increased zeal for luxury items. When it comes to greeting cards, consumers are looking for upscale and sophisticated designs that will make a unique statement. Pure cotton papers, textured papers or handmade papers enable a luxuriant sense while writing on them, which is a pleasure for both senders and receivers. Other than greeting cards, high-end bookmarks can also be perceived as “luxurious”, some even beaded with elegant tapestry fabrics.
SCRAPBOOKS & JOURNALS
The drive to preserve memories and respect family lives will boost the sales of scrapbooks and photo albums. Scrapbooking puts a new spin on the importance of photographs. Nowadays, there are different scrapbook kits, available in different packages and themes, including handmade paper, photo corners, photo frame templates, sponges, scissors and tags. According to a survey, consumers spend an average of $54 on scrapbooks, as compared with $38 on greeting cards. In order to collect and share memories, consumers even use scrapbooks for reaching out and communicating meaningfully with others. People indulge themselves with scrapbooking greeting cards as a fashionable way to preserve or document lives’ precious moments. To meet this demand, here come up decorative boxes and files with pages or dividers for taking notes and dates, designed specifically for organizing and storing greeting cards. Journals come in decorative elements such as jolly stripes and spots and exotic, folkloristic designs. Fashion colors are brisk, clear and inspiring, including sunshine yellow, violet, mint, olive and turquoise blended with gray.
Getting to Know Back-to-School & Office Supplies
Posted by author in : Stationery , add a commentttnet.net - [2006/01/24]
What Trendies Say
Modern offices tend to be more colorful. We see a lot of orange and blue, red and spring green on synthetic products such as desks, punches and files. Writing utensils with gold ink are brilliant, enabling a deluxe sense. As seen in this years’ Paperworld show, less golden but vivid in colors like dark blue and orange are writing instruments. High-quality pens in colorful designs are more heart-stealing than those with metallic and black designs, especially for young generation users. They prefer to a whole array of colored writing instruments, even with very bold decorations and patterns such as Asian themes. Highlighters become a must-have writing instrument. Markers are added with licensed comic figures from the classics like Disney or Looney Tunes to Spiderman and, the very latest, The Incredibles to attract eyes of young consumers. The advent of computers and related technologies has yet to make writing instruments obsolete. Instead, the writing instrument industry embraces the evolution of technology by incorporating it into new products and using it to broaden business aspects and customers services.
Trendy paper product designs follow checks and stripes and floral patterns in different variants. The checks are common in red, pink, olivey, fresh green, orange and yellow colors while these compositions are also being used as stripes or as backgrounds for floral motifs. Mediterranean motifs, on serviettes, wrapping paper or accessories and cards are also popular. Greeting cards and calendars in themes and motifs of nature and people are ever loved. Diaries, notebooks and organizers turn to upmarket orientation as lavish hard-cover items and high-class paper are dominant. Photographic paper is sold well thanks to the prevailing digital cameras, not only for professional photographers but also for home users, consistent with up-and-coming homing trend. The tools used for conference presentation are no more classic display board but LED overhead projectors. These products are getting slimmer and more compact for easier to use and carry everywhere.
What Market Insiders Say
US Back-to-School Market Snapshot
Despite of wider applications of computers, pens, pencils and markers still last to be staples of American life and indispensable for every day use. According to The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA), the sales of writing instruments soared to US$4.8 billion in 2004, an increase over the US$4.6 billion in 2003. Among them, pens account for 47% of the industry to US$2.5 billion while pencils representing 46% to US$0.84 billion and markers and highlighters combined for 7% of the industry or US$.39 billion in manufacturer sales. The Back-to-School season, typically from mid-July to mid-September, represents a US$6.997 billion market for school supplies during period. U.S. households spent US$123.37 in average on back-to-school items. Every August, millions of American families with school-age children prepare to shop for back-to-school supplies such as writing instruments, folders, notebooks, binders, backpacks and organizers. Today’s kids 6-17 are playing a more active role in consuming than ever before, influencing a wide variety of goods and services. These kids acquire brand knowledge as early as age two and their product savvy grows through their grade school years.
CHINA Stationery Market Snapshot
In terms of production and exports, China is the No.1 maker of pen and pencil and No.3 ranking for ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils in the world. The overall stationery output reaches US$3 billion and continues to enjoy double-digit growth every year since 2000, widely exported to Europe, North America and Southeast Asia.
China’s cheaper land and labors make itself the optimized sourcing for stationery, attracting myriads of overseas investment to set up manufacturing bases there, especially from Taiwan. Taiwanese factories have been investing in China to restart their second life. Meanwhile the growing OEM joint venture cooperation there will accelerate technological transfer from the world to China, upgrade innovation progress and promote the integrating of resources of China industries. Nowadays, there are more than 3,000 stationery manufacturers in China, mostly on OEM and/or ODM basis. Many of these are located in Yangtze River Delta area and Pear River area, the two of the country’s manufacturing hubs.
Business activities are busy here in China with the reform and opening to the outside world. Joint-venture enterprises are the big buyers for upmarket stationery. Thanks to the tendency of growing one child family, parents are willing to buy their children fancy stationery. In this case, foreign brands have been echo-friendly among consumers due to their quality-sensing look, multi-functionality, brand-new designs and environmentally-friendly approach.
