Stationery trends from 2022: What are consumers buying? - Trends and Insights 2022

The last few years have been filled with what feels like continuous and unprecedented amounts of change. While this has at times presented unique and unforeseen areas for growth and expansion, it has also created challenges for retail buyers when trying to predict consumers trends and habits over the coming months and years. One sector that’s been particularly impacted by this ongoing period of change has been the stationery sector. 

With never before seen upheavals with how we work, study, craft, celebrate and communicate with one another, the stationery market has had to pivot and adapt to the changing demands of consumers across the globe. In the face of this unprecedented challenge, the stationery market has flourished, with Statista predicting a growth of 19.11% of the market by 2027.

But how can retail buyers and suppliers capitalize on this growth, and ensure that they can continue to meet the evolving needs of customers both throughout the country and the world? 

We’ve analyzed the key takeaways from industry experts in order to determine what the top stationery trends have been from the last 2022. Keep reading to find out what consumers are buying, and the main trends in the stationary market have been throughout 2022. 

Stationery trends in pens: a continued stationery market staple 

Pens take up the lion’s share of this market, having reached a value of over $12 billion over the last few years. It is also predicted that pens in particular will continue to expand in its domination of the stationery market. This, experts suggest, is due in part to the preference for physical writing implements in the millennial generation (born between 1981 and 1996), a preference which has created an increasing demand for pens within the stationery market.  

Stationery trends of paper: Sustainability matters

Similarly, paper is one of the fastest growing items within the world of stationery, taking up 30% of global stationery demand. But whilst this giant within the industry continues to grow, consumers are looking to shrink the impact of the paper market on the environment. 

A recent trend seen across nearly all sectors, sustainability and sustainable alternatives have dominated the market throughout 2022. As more and more consumers are looking to buy from businesses that align with their own values and beliefs, businesses have been scrambling to replace their packaging with sustainably sourced or recyclable alternatives to previously used plastic and bubble wrap. As a result, it is predicted that the market for sustainable packaging and paper will continue to grow by 6% until 2027. 

Stationery trends luxury goods: Bringing elevated experiences to the everyday  

Moreover, as well as consumers being driven by their values and moral compasses when selecting a business to buy from, stationery market trends also indicate that greater consideration is being paid to the overall quality and durability of the stationery that they’re purchasing. This has led to a rise in the luxury stationery market. Whether this be diaries, fountain pens, laptop cases, or portfolios, more and more consumers are looking for luxurious twists on their stationery. 

This is, in part, because of the everyday nature of stationery that customers are looking to elevate through more intentional purchasing. We use pens, diaries and stationery every day, and the items that we surround ourselves with in our working and study environments go on to dictate our overall feelings of contentment and satisfaction. That is why research suggests that the personal luxury market will soon take up a significant share of the stationery marketplace. This share will be made up mostly of millennials, and consumers belonging to generation Z (born between the years 1997 and 2012). So driven are these two generations by adding small luxury twists to their everyday lives, it is predicted that by 2025, millennials and gen z will take up 70% of the personal luxury market. 

Stationery trends in customisation 

Perhaps a reflection of this increased willingness amongst gen z and millennials to invest in luxury goods, so too have trends for personalized and customized stationery items risen over the last year. For both corporates and individuals, offering customizable options on stationery product ranges has proven a popular trend within the stationery sector in the past year. Particularly as college students flock back to college campuses for the first in person year of teaching in nearly 3 years, many students have reflected their new found academic identity with customized stationery sporting their school’s crest. 

Stationery trends for Partyware

As social distancing mandates have lifted throughout the last year, so too have the restrictions on both public and private gatherings. As a result, party goers across the world are looking to make up for lost time by ordering more partyware than ever before for their belated celebrations. With the partyware sector predicted to turnover $19,000 million in 2022, and continue to rise to over $26,000 million by 2028, it’s clear that partyware makes a significant stationery trend. On a product basis, this trend is reflected in a rise in demand for banners, statement balloons installations, pinatas, and disposable tableware. 

Stationery trends in Greetings Cards 

And when people aren’t able to party in person, it seems that the humble greetings card stands as a worthy alternative to stationery buyers across the country. As well as the rise in recycled and biodegradable greetings cards, the last few years in particular have seen an increase in interest for cards that celebrate what’s being referred to as ‘micro-occasions’. Whilst the appetite still exists for cards that celebrate common milestones such as weddings, birthdays and anniversary, these age old favorites are now joined by cards that allow people to reach out to their loved ones ‘just because’. Similarly, a large share of these popular greetings cards are decorated with topical, and often political designs, encouraging card manufacturers and stationery suppliers to incorporate these sought after comedic themes into their products. 

Botanical Looks are trending once again

Whether consumers are trying to create an oasis of natural tranquility in their working space, or simply trying to capture a slice of the outdoors, 2022 has been the year for the botanical look across the stationery market. In the last year the consumer interest in stationery that reflects a botanical or a natural look have risen. Botanical design can be used to refer to anything that uses or imitates a plant. This can take the form of more delicate motifs, or bold, tropical leaf prints. 

School supplies are in demand

With both the provision of and access to education has adapted almost unrecognizably in the aftermath of the covid pandemic, the demand for school supplies has created some of the most interesting trends to disrupt the stationery sector. Recent admission statistics suggest that college enrollment has increased consistently over the last two years, leading to a reflected increase in the demand for school supplies such as academic diaries and assignment trackers.

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