The Daily Brief The stationery industry has plenty of ink left in it
Dec 9, 2025
Delve into the vibrant world of stationery as the dynamics of India's market unfold. Discover the balance between paper and non-paper segments, and find out who the key buyers are. Emphasize the importance of distribution over advertising in this realm. Explore the impact of raw material volatility on smaller players and the shift from unorganized to organized sectors. In contrast, examine the oil sector’s ups and downs, from ONGC's performance to the refining margins' surge, rounding off with insights on future developments.
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Scale And Distribution Win In Stationery
- Stationery is a stable, low‑glamour industry driven by repeat consumption and school seasonality.
- Distribution and scale, not flashy ads, determine winners because purchase decisions happen at the shop counter.
Nostalgic Stationery Shopping Rituals
- Akshara recalls childhood trips to stationery shops before the school year with vivid sensory details.
- The ritual of choosing pen colors and pencil boxes illustrates why stationery remains culturally embedded.
Market Composition And Buyer Mix
- The market splits into paper (42%) and non‑paper (58%), with writing instruments leading growth.
- About 80% of demand is individual consumers and only 20% is institutional bulk buying.