Point-of-sale data highlights areas of growth.

 

Research firm NPD has said average selling prices (ASP) in the US office supplies channel were up in the double digits in the first quarter of 2022.

 

Latest figures from NPD point to average ASPs for office products (excluding storage and jan/san) climbing by 10 per cent in the first three months of 2022 compared with the same period last year, and by 21 per cent versus Q1 2019.

 

While inflation is driving up market prices, leading to top-line growth, unit numbers are still declining. For the full year, NPD expects ASPs to be eight per cent higher than in 2021, but is forecasting a six per cent drop in unit sales.

 

“In addition to pricing, the acceleration in technology usage for education – both at home and in the classroom – is impacting office/school supplies sales,” said NPD executive director and office supplies industry analyst Leen Nsouli. “It will be important for industry players to leverage this as an opportunity for growth through partnerships and innovation regarding how traditional supplies are used.”

 

Nsouli added: “There are many areas of opportunity in the coming years for retailers and manufacturers in the office supplies industry. Year-to-date, we are seeing growth in categories related to children’s activities, project or collaboration-oriented supplies, and printable specialty paper.

 

“It will be key for organisations to develop partnerships across store departments to facilitate new use-cases for office supplies products, continue product innovation to drive category growth, and keep a pulse on consumer sensitivity and reaction to price changes.”

 

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