Pandemic plays havoc with European stationery fair. 

 

Trade fair organiser Messe Frankfurt has announced a second postponement of the big Paperworld stationery exhibition.

 

Paperworld 2021 had been moved from its traditional January timeslot to be integrated in the International Consumers Goods Show (ICGS) with Ambiente and Christmasworld, due to take place in Frankfurt from 17-20 April.

 

Due to the on-going pandemic, Messe Frankfurt has canned all of its physical events for April and May and has re-scheduled Paperworld and Creativeworld from 29 January to 1 February 2022.

 

“There is currently no end to the pandemic in sight. Events are effectively banned in Germany, and ongoing international travel restrictions mean it is impossible to make any trade fair plans for April or May 2021,” the company said.

 

Costco closes US photo print centres

 

Costco has announced that it will no longer operate photo departments at its US stores due to the rise of smartphones, social media and digital photo sharing.

 

The Washington-based warehouse-style retailer, which operates more than 500 stores, said: “Since the introduction of camera phones and social media, the need for printing photos has steeply declined, even though the number of pictures taken continues to grow,” 

 

Costco will continue to offer photo printing services through its Photo Center website, which ships items such as photo books, stationery and calendars and prints on canvas, metal and acrylic.

In-person services such as home movie video transfer, passport photo, photo restoration and ink cartridge refill services will also no longer be available in stores.