Summary

The global stationery market, valued at $22.4 billion in 2020, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% during the period from 2020 to 2027, fueled by increasing literacy rates and the proliferation of higher education institutions. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead this growth.

The French market has faced challenges such as document dematerialization and increasing raw material prices, causing a notable dip in sales in 2021 with a 16.5% drop compared to the previous year. Additionally, the industry faced a sharp increase in production costs, particularly for paper pulp, with prices per tonne rising from €500 to €900 between early 2021 and August 2022.

The manufacturing sector is consolidated with a few large companies, while distribution is fragmented among various players including a rise of approximately 1,200 startups. Key players in France include Bureau Vallée and Office Dépôt. Key brands such as BIC and Pilot have adapted strategies to maintain sales and manage production costs while navigating the price-sensitive market..

The Evolving Landscape of Stationery Demand in France

As we look into the stationery market of France, we see a sector that, despite facing modern challenges such as digitization and dematerialization, still shows signs of robust demand. Based on the insights from the text, French consumers maintain a steady interest in stationery products, although with an expected cyclicity that coincides with the academic year. Searches for "school supplies" on Google indicate a pronounced peak in interest from mid-June to late September, with similar trends observed for other related items like pens, notebooks, and binders. A notable observation is that French consumers are not just focused on functionality but also on the aesthetic appeal, driving innovation and upmarket trends within the sector.

French stationery manufacturers and retailers have adapted by offering aesthetically pleasing and personalized products to entice a customer base that is increasingly looking beyond the traditional uses of stationery. The French market is characterized by a diverse offering where consumable stationery products hold a substantial share, between 25 and 35 percent. Writing instruments are not far behind, and adhesives, though the smallest category, still hold a share that is not insignificant, between 5 and 10 percent. Dematerialization in the corporate realm has affected the market, but with only between 3 and 5 percent of invoices fully dematerialized, physical stationery remains in use.

Large distributors such as Bureau Valley, with sales around half a billion euros, and Office Dépôt, nearing the 400 million mark, dominate, evidencing a market size for stationery in France estimated between 2.5 and 3 billion euros.

Consumer demand reflects an evident preference for well-known pen and notebook brands, with Bic leading the charge with a liking of over 75 percent among respondents. Its wide product range and accessible pricing give Bic an advantageous position. On the other hand, more upscale brands like Parker, which cater to a more adult demographic with pricier writing instruments, do not resonate as strongly, with less than half the popularity rate compared to Bic. 

Navigating the Landscape: Market Leaders Steering the Stationery World

The stationery market is teeming with a diverse range of brands and companies, each with their own unique positioning and strengths.

  • Among them, the giants such as 3M stand tall, with their vast array of office and stationery products that cater to varied consumer and professional needs. 3M's portfolio extends beyond the basics, touching upon innovative solutions that streamline workplace productivity and creativity.

  • On a different note, Hamelin has carved out a niche for itself with its impressive array of stationery products. Their Holding caters to a market that values quality and reliability, ensuring that everything from notebooks to organizational tools are crafted with care and precision.

  • In the realm of writing instruments, Pilot Pen soars with its commitment to precision and smooth writing experiences. Their extensive range of pens, from the everyday use to the more specialized, have endeared them to consumers looking for quality in their writing experience.

  • When it comes to the retailing front, Bureau Vallée leads the way, providing an extensive network of stores where consumers can access a plethora of stationery items. Their presence signifies a bridge between the traditional brick-and-mortar and modern shopping experiences, catering to customers who prefer to browse and buy in person.

  • Meanwhile, Office Depot France has kept up with the evolving demands of the market, ensuring that whether customers are outfitting a home office or supplying a corporate enterprise, they're met with products that meet the demands of today's dynamic work environments.

  • Taking a leap into the niche sector, Paper Tiger sways the market with its trendy, design-forward approach to stationery. Their offerings beckon to the style-conscious consumer who looks for statement pieces that are both functional and visually appealing.

  • On the meticulous side of paper production, Exacompta Clairefontaine stands as a steward of quality and tradition, its name synonymous with premium paper products that cater to a clientele that appreciates the artistry and craftsmanship in paper goods.

  • The digital domain is not left out, with online sales platforms like Amazon heavily influencing the stationery market landscape. Their expansive reach and convenience have disrupted traditional shopping patterns, drawing consumers to the ease of click-and-buy purchasing.

  • Similarly, cultural outlets like Cultura, while not purely stationery-focused, deliver a blend of products that resonate with the creatively inclined, allowing them to source both inspiration and the tools to bring their ideas to life. 
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  • Last update : 28/10/2022
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

Stationers are stores selling stationery products, often operating alongside a bookshop or newsagent. Stationery products are those used for writing or printing text. There are 3 categories:

  • School supplies (sheets, notebooks, etc.)
  • Correspondence (unprinted envelopes and cards)
  • Administrative (registers, account books, etc.)

The global stationery market was estimated in 2020 at $22.4 billion by Researchandmarkets, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% over the period 2020-2027. the global stationery market is expanding thanks to the rise in literacy rates and the number of young people in higher education, aided by numerous national government initiatives. The fastest-growing regions are expected to be Asia-Pacific, thanks to widespread use of different types of stationery products, a growing number of educational establishments, and a growing demand for stationery products. a growing number of educational establishments in rural and urban areas, and access to education for more sections of society. With a paper industry that accounts for 14% of European production, just behind Germany and Italy, France occupies a solid position in the European market.

The sector has to cope with the dematerialization of documents and correspondence in companies, and the advance of electronic mail among private individuals. Weakened, the paper industry is trying to reinvent itself through innovations in aesthetics and price range diversification. In addition, the market has been hit hard by rising raw material prices, prompting players to adopt new measures to adapt to the situation.

Related sectors (notably pulp) continue to evolve towards more environmentally-friendly practices, a new offering that also caters to a new customer base.

List of charts

  • Global stationery market trends
  • Sales trends in the stationery manufacturing market
  • Sales trends in the newspaper and stationery specialty-store retail market
  • Evolution of interest in the "school supplies" search on Google
  • Evolution of interest in Google searches for "pen", "notebook" and "binder"
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Latest news

Oxford notebook manufacturer acquires Pelikan pens - 03/07/2023
  • The Hamelin Group, the family-owned French stationery specialist, is preparing to acquire the Pelikan Group.
  • Hamelin was founded in Caen in 1864.
  • Hamelin's sales in 2022 were over 400 million euros.
  • Hamelin employs 2,300 people.
  • Pelikan sales exceeded 200 million euros.
  • Pelikan's sales are mainly generated in Europe, accounting for three quarters of its total sales.
  • Half of Pelikan's worldwide sales come from Germany.
  • Hamelin has 8 factories in Europe, including 3 in France, one in Tunisia and one in Turkey.
  • Pelikan produces in Germany, Mexico, Colombia and Poland. Hamelin is Europe's leading notebook manufacturer.
Hamelin acquires the Pelikan group - 31/07/2023
  • Pelikan was founded in 1838.
  • Pelikan achieved sales of 200 million euros last year.
  • Pelikan has over 12,000 items in its catalog.
  • Pelikan products are sold in almost every country in the world.
  • Hamelin was founded in 1864. In 2022, the Hamelin Group achieved sales of 400 million euros.
  • The Hamelin Group has 2,300 employees.
3M cuts 6,000 jobs - 25/04/2023
  • 6,000 new job cuts (in addition to the 2,500 announced in January)
  • Cost reductions estimated at between $700 and $900 million
  • First-quarter sales: $8 billion (down 9% year-on-year)

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Hamelin Groupe - Oxford
3M
Office Depot France
Bureau Vallée
Papier Tigre
Cultura
Exacompta Clairefontaine
Pilot Pen
BIC Groupe
Schwan-Stabilo
MTM Groupe Paperflow
Antalis France

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