STATE OF THE NATION
The outlook for the year With Q1 now done and dusted, Stationery Matters catches up with several retailers and suppliers to get the low down on business so far and what they’re looking forward to for the rest of the year. Starting with, of course, the London Stationery Show.
Charlie Stockbridge
Nish Kanabar
MANAGING DIRECTOR, MANUSCRIPT BRANDS
DIRECTOR, CASTLEGATE STATIONERY ART AND TOYS, WETHERBY
GENERAL TRADE: “We’ve had a good start to 2024. In January, we added A.T. Cross Company to our brand portfolio which brought about lots of opportunities and we’re delighted with the results so far. We’ve also seen a flurry of welcome newness across our fine writing portfolio, Sheaffer, Visconti, Diplomat, Monteverde, Conklin and more – all creating momentum with our extensive customer base.”
GENERAL TRADE: “Business in 2024 so far has been positive. Wins for us have been introducing new lines, offering a wider service, including home visits to customers to install new equipment, and also the rise in the increase in visits from customers shopping back on the high street. Yes, it’s definitely a trend; certainly in our area.”
TOP SELLERS: “LEGO stationery continues to be huge. We’ve seen placement in retailers big and small, with a product range that embodies write, build, play.” ON THE LONDON STATIONERY SHOW: “The LEGO brand is sure to capture the imagination of retailers at the London Stationery Show. As will Tom’s Studio, which will be showcasing its incredible designs which are the brainchild of Tom’s Studio’s founder, Tom Gyr. And for Manuscript there is a plethora of newness as the brand continues to offer the most extensive range of calligraphy supplies to the UK and across the world.”
Tom’s Studio pens.
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TOP SELLERS: “For us pens are always really high up on the list. We are known for the range that we carry and also the knowledge and experience advising customers to the model or range that would suit their needs.” MY STATIONERY MUST-HAVE: “It has to be my pens and pencils, I simply cannot do without them, as I use them on a daily basis.”
Customers numbers are increasing at Castlegate Stationery.
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Sonia Bailey
OWNER, STELLAR STATIONERY, NEW PITSLIGO, ABERDEENSHIRE GENERAL TRADE: “My shop is pretty new and I have only been open since November last year. I’ve had some really good days but it’s too early to be celebrating any wins. Mainly I’m just hoping to get the word out that I am here and to increase footfall into my shop.” TOP SELLERS: I sell a mixture of basic stationery, craft materials, toys, games and I also sell locally made crafts, from various work from home crafters based in my area. I think my biggest seller has been acrylic paint pens. ON THE LONDON STATIONERY SHOW: “I am definitely attending the London Stationery Show. As a very small, new business, I only have limited purchasing power at the moment. But I’m hoping to get some more ideas of what I’d like to stock.”
Sonia Bailey outside her new Stellar Stationery shop.