Far from stationary

The 2023 London Stationery Show benefitted from a steady flow of visitors to the Business Design Centre in the nation’s capital, resulting in a 12% uptick in attendees. Taking place over the course of two days in May, this year’s event also saw a 20% increase in new exhibitors, according to organisers Ocean Media Group.

In total, over 200 companies exhibited at the UK’s only trade show dedicated to the arts & crafts, greetings cards, paper products and writing instruments industries. On display were best-selling and brand new goods from the stationery world’s leading brands as well as independent start-ups.

Sustainability was undoubtedly a prominent theme with numerous companies revealing their current items:

Snopake highlighted its recyclable EVA mesh zippa-bag; Mitsubishi Pencil Co UK presented its uni-ball Eye Ocean Care rollerball pen; and Pentel displayed its EnerGel 96 (96% post-consumer recycled material).

Located at the front of the exhibition was the Boutique Collection, offering a variety of designer stationery, unique gifts and more. This carefully curated selection allowed visitors to discover an exclusive range of products, not found anywhere else.

Education And Creativity

There was a vibrant atmosphere and all those Workplace360 spoke to on the opening day had high expectations for the two days. Many vendors provided live demonstrations and interactive activities and the

Creativity Matters workshops gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the industry’s latest offerings. There were a total of 16 sessions including creating vision boards with the Perfect Planner Company, Jakar demonstrating the most recent range of colours with Caran d’Ache, Exacompta Clairefontaine showcasing fine art inks, and Royal Talens presenting a talk on bullet journaling with Bruynzeel.

In addition, the Retail Matters Live Talks provided the chance to pick the brains of industry-leading professionals on topics such as sales, social media and merchandising, while more tailored advice was available through the Indie Matters Business Advice Clinics with free one-to-one appointments.

London Stationery Show Event Director Alex Butler said: “This year’s show was a huge success. The range of products on offer was truly remarkable and it’s clear that the introduction of arts & crafts has been a big hit with our visitors. We were delighted to see such a high number of quality buyers and already look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2024.”

The London Stationery Show will return to the Business Design Centre from 14-15 May 2024.

The opening day of the London Stationery Show featured the Stationery Matters Awards. The winners were:

• Arts & Crafts Product of the Year: Stamptitude – Custom Wax Seal Stamp

• Children’s Stationery Product of the Year: Maped Helix – Maped Color’Peps Infinity

Colouring Pencils

• Diary/Organiser/Calendar of the Year: Perfect Planner Company – 2023 Family and Lifestyle Planner

• Filing & Storage Product of the Year: Exacompta Clairefontaine (ExaClair) –Exacompta Aquarel Store Box Multi

• Gift Packaging & Wrap of the Year:

Genealityart – ’Perry’ Wrapping Paper

• Licensed Stationery Product of the Year:

Exacompta Clairefontaine (ExaClair) –Clairefontaine Inkebana Notebooks

• Notebook/Journal of the Year: This Week’s Little Tweaks – This Week’s Little Tweaks: Sleep & Rest Journal

• Novelty Stationery Product of the Year: Stone Marketing – Legami Erasable Pen Set of 3: Wild Savannah

• Social Stationery Product of the Year: FROM YOU TO ME – Personalised Book of Giftable Tickets

• Sustainable Stationery Product of the Year: edding – edding 24 EcoLine Highlighter

• Working from Home Product of the Year: Once Upon a Tuesday – Rainbow Colour Block Notepad: Daily Time Blocking Planner

• Writing Instrument of the Year: Andhand – Method Pen Mini: Brass

• Independent Retailer of the Year: Lead Tin