The outlook is good! U.S. office supplies sales are expected to grow 8% in 2021

In the post-epidemic era, working from home is still the current mainstream office mode, and many corporate employees have already or are planning to return to the office, which will provide continued opportunities for the US office supplies market.

According to the NPD Group's latest annual forecast report "The Future of Office Supplies", NPD looks ahead to the sales of the office supplies industry in the upcoming holiday shopping season through strong back-to-school season sales. U.S. office supplies sales are expected to increase by 8% in 2021 compared to last year.

Back-to-school sales have been challenging due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of August 7, 2021, back-to-school sales have increased 21% over the same period last year. Since this year's back-to-school season is earlier than last year, NPD predicts that this year's back-to-school sales will slow slightly later, but overall sales will be 12% higher than the 2020 back-to-school season and remain at the same level as 2019.

As students across the country are returning or preparing to return to classrooms, the back-to-school season is off to a strong start, with sales of key elementary school supplies categories, including composition notebooks, pencil sets, pencil cases and crayons, up 50% this season compared to the same period last year.

Leen Nsouli, executive director and office supplies industry analyst at NPD, said that sales in the U.S. office supplies market in the fourth quarter are expected to be higher than the level in 2019, and full-year sales are expected to increase by 8%. As U.S. companies continue to explore the best way to collaborate in a hybrid office model online and offline, office supplies related to collaboration are also expected to perform well.

NPD also predicts that revenue for the office supplies industry will decline slightly in 2022 and 2023, down 2% and 1%, respectively, due to the accelerated use of digital products in offices and classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic . For industry players, this shift provides opportunities for innovation and may lead to more technologically hybrid innovative products entering the market.

For sellers in related markets, they can pay more attention to relevant information and prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season. In addition, innovative products are also a major trend in the future market, and sellers can also work harder on product research and development.

Back to school season

Holiday Shopping Season

Office Supplies