Can Office Supplies Break Through on Low Prices Alone?

As low-carbon development and digitalization sweep the globe, which trends in the hundred-billion-yuan office supplies market deserve attention?

01

Product Side: Green, Low-Carbon and Functional Innovation Advance Together

In 2026, carbon-reduction policies were issued in succession, and dual control over carbon emissions was officially implemented. The General Office of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council officially issued the Guidelines for the Construction of Green and Low-Carbon Supply Chains in Central Enterprises (Trial), sending a clear signal: green and low-carbon development is no longer an optional item for enterprises, but a mandatory question. This green access threshold is traveling down the procurement chain. In 2026, office supplies companies continue to explore green materials and product innovation.

M&G: In April 2026, M&G launched the Eco+Office low-carbon office series, covering gel pens, markers, solid glue, calculators, scissors and other categories, using recycled plastic as the main raw material. In CICC’s office scenarios, this series helped the company achieve an annual carbon reduction of 354 kg.

△Image source: M&G News Center

Tuqiang: Two out of every 10 erasers sold worldwide come from Tuqiang Stationery. As one of China’s earliest companies to develop and produce internationally compliant eco-friendly erasers, Tuqiang Stationery has more than 2,500 product series, annual sales exceeding 1 billion pieces, and exports to more than 80 countries and regions. The company uses its core TPR material erasers as a breakthrough point, using recycled materials from the design source to reduce carbon, and has completed carbon footprint accounting and third-party certification. Next, Tuqiang Stationery will continue to build green factories, focus on low-carbon design and low-carbon products, and create more carbon-neutral products.

△Image source: Anhui Tuqiang Stationery Co., Ltd.

Booth No.: H11-T08

Green and low-carbon development has great prospects, but there is still a long way to go. The market has already launched various circular stationery products, including notebooks with refillable pages, modular writing instruments, plant-based inks and compostable packaging, all providing new improvement directions for traditional office supplies.

At the same time, functional innovation is driving replacement and premiumization in mature categories. Erasable and low-friction writing systems, more advanced adhesive technology, labor-saving binding and improved document organization systems, and repositionable sticky notes. These improvements do not change how the categories are used, but they directly enhance user experience, thereby supporting replacement purchases and higher pricing.

△2026 exhibition site photo: Yiwu Shuangyi Stationery Co., Ltd.

Booth No.: H8-423

02

Technology Side: Smart Manufacturing and Digitalization Boost Efficiency

Office supplies are characterized by rich categories, diverse specifications and scattered daily demand. Intelligentization can improve product performance and user experience, and also help companies optimize operational processes. Product innovation and supply chain efficiency working together will help companies better respond to the market’s comprehensive requirements for quality, timeliness and stable supply.

Deli × Loongson: On September 22, the “Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Office Printing Technology,” jointly established by Deli Group and Loongson Technology, was officially unveiled. The two parties will carry out technical research in areas such as print main control chips, office computer collaboration, dot-matrix/thermal printing, scanning devices and 3D printing, promoting collaborative innovation in office equipment and technology.

LPS Lepusheng: In August 2026, LPS Lepusheng’s MES system was officially launched, marking that LPS Lepusheng’s production and operations have officially entered the era of digital management. Every link from raw materials to finished products is now traceable and controllable, supporting quality stability and delivery capability and helping LPS Lepusheng gain more initiative in the market.

△Image source: Guangdong Lepusheng Stationery Co., Ltd.

Booth No.: H1-315

03

Global Market: Diverging Demand, Varied Opportunities

Domestic market: “Workstation Economics”

As stationery shifts from consumables to emotional and personalized carriers in office scenarios, price sensitivity declines. According to statistics from “IP Jiaoyanshe,” in the first half of 2026, 11 leading stationery brands completed 54 co-branding collaborations. Stationery brands have put products such as blind-box pens, co-branded notebooks and DIY pencil cases into office and study scenarios, exchanging emotional value for premium pricing.

△KWTRIO x TUNEE GOODS series products

Booth No.: H1-A01

Image source: KWTRIO

International market: Embracing pen-and-paper tools

In 2026, a workplace survey released by US office supplies supplier Quill showed that 94% of surveyed professionals feel more satisfied physically crossing off tasks on a paper to-do list than checking them on a digital list; 56% of Gen Z respondents said that, compared with sending a private message, they are more willing to leave a sticky note for a colleague. Young overseas professionals are rediscovering the ritual of pen and paper, and interest in premium notebooks, colorful desk mats and high-quality writing instruments is rising.

△UK DTC brand Papier

New trends represent incremental growth for office-focused brands, but they do not change the fundamental base of office stationery; replacement consumption and centralized procurement channels remain the main sources of scale.

When circumstances become difficult, change is necessary; change brings breakthroughs; breakthroughs bring lasting success. Competition in the office supplies industry continues to expand to the levels of quality, efficiency and market adaptability. Only by continuously responding to changing demand can traditional categories regain vitality in the new market environment.

Chinese Stationery Goes Global

Today, diverse Chinese stationery brands are shining in international markets with solid manufacturing strength, continuous product innovation and increasingly distinctive brand features.

On the banks of the Pearl River, business opportunities surge. The third phase of the 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) opens tomorrow. As a comprehensive foreign trade exhibition, it has three dedicated office stationery exhibition halls, attracting many brands to the site. We look forward to Chinese stationery brands bringing more innovative surprises, winning overseas buyers with good products, and further expanding their global market footprint.

To see the stationery industry chain comprehensively and deeply at once, only a vertical professional exhibition has sufficient industry density.

On the coast of the East China Sea, the Ningbo Stationery Fair has been rooted in “China’s Stationery Capital” for 23 years. It is a leading global B2B professional event for stationery and office supplies. In 2027, its scale will be upgraded to a record 12 exhibition halls and 2,000+ exhibitors, with an International Zone set up for the first time. Stationery brands from Vietnam, Malaysia, France, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, China and other countries and regions have already confirmed participation. Overseas buyers come from more than 100 countries and regions! Next March, we look forward to meeting industry peers in Ningbo and working together to open new space in international markets!

March 25–27, 2027

The 2027 Ningbo International Stationery Fair

will open at the Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center

Pre-registration is now fully open → Free registration before the show
From 00:00 on March 25, 2027, registration will cost RMB 50 per person.