Paperworld China closes on positive note
After three productive days, Paperworld China came to a close on a positive note after 12,857 visitors came to source from a total of 334 exhibitors in Hall 3 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai. Both exhibitors and visitors applauded the show for offering vast business opportunities and reconnecting the industry.
Following a year full of unprecedented challenges, the industry required a meeting point to conduct business, share experiences and make new contacts, which is why both exhibitors and visitors eagerly participated in the fair. Positioned as an Asia trade fair for stationery and office supplies, this year’s show attracted domestic and overseas brands from Austria, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and the UK that took part in the three-day fair from Nov. 19-21.
“The pandemic and its related challenges did not stop us from continuing to provide a professional trade fair for everyone in the industry. Under the current circumstances, exhibitor and visitor attendance was strong and the show’s success simply would not have been possible without the support of exhibitors and visitors. I am also grateful for many overseas brands which arranged their local Chinese sales offices to represent them at the show,” Judy Cheung, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd remarked.
The atmosphere throughout the hall of the 2020 show was energetic, as participants engaged in business meetings and information gatherings. Some exhibitors also made use of the platform to cultivate their brand image by exhibiting with impressively designed booths. Thanks to the new industry tie between Paperworld China and the China Stationery and Sporting Goods Association (CSSGA), there were even more leading Chinese brands at this edition, including AP (China), Aton, Beifa, Changjian Paper, Chinjoo, Comix, Deli, Guangbo, M&G, Magi-Wap, Mont Marte, Snowhite, Sunwood, Superior, TuQiang and Wengu.
Nothing can replace the personal interactions that a high quality trade fair can offer. “Although there are a lot of online trade fairs in the market, frankly they are still not mature and their effectiveness is not particularly good. Only a physical trade fair can provide the much needed face-to-face conversations with customers, while also allowing us to better display our products to clients, which is essential in business,” Zhang Chunya, foreign trade manager of Jiangsu Changjiang Printing Co Ltd said.
The company brought their patented anti-myopia (anti-short-sightedness) series writing notebook to the fair. The supporting feature is achieved through the use of specially designed yellow grids and light reflection technology. Thanks to its unique design, the product won the Gold Award in the paper products category of Paperworld China’s “Sidanxing · Best Stationery of China BSOC” Awards.
“Paperworld China has reached a high level of proficiency in providing industry players with connections to both domestic and overseas exhibitors and visitors. As the Chinese government advocated, while we expand our domestic markets, we should not give up on the international market. Access to overseas markets is one of the unique advantages that Paperworld China provides to the industry,” Zhang added.
As a trusted convergence point for the stationery and office supplies industries within the region, Paperworld China has helped the industry get back on its feet and reshape the business agenda for 2021. Sunwood Holding Group is one of the biggest stationery and office supplies manufacturers in China. At the show, Sunwood showcased their new series of stationery for exams. The products are designed specifically to meet the needs of examinations. The company’s pencils, for example, are optimized for computer scanning.
“The demand for stationery has decreased due to the pandemic. However, now that the entire country has basically recovered, the demand has returned to normal. The show offered us a good opportunity to meet our target customers and business partners, who also see rising demand in the market,” Wang Xinjun, product and marketing director of Paperworld China said.
Buyers applaud product variety
Among many things that make Paperworld China a highly effective business platform is the way it presents different product segments to buyers at the show. In addition to the four themed product zones (Smart Learning and Stationery Trends, Tomorrow’s Office, Creative and Cultural as well as Art and Painting), a unique area called “Small yet Beautiful” was featured.
Mr Xu Lai, Director of Muwei Culture Communication Co Ltd was among the many visitors to attend the busy “Small yet Beautiful” showcase. He explained the value of the area, saying: “I’ve already identified many good stationery products, and some DIY items which are both practical and entertaining. Specifically, I have to mention the “Small yet Beautiful” area because it impressed me so much. Products of various brands are placed in one dedicated area, and those items are exquisite, creative and attractive. The area provides new merchandising ideas for stationery retailers, which will help them to increase their sales.”
Fringe Events
The fringe program took emerging trends into account, such as China’s growing internet-based office market, which has gained traction amid the pandemic. High-level management from three Chinese stationery heavyweights, Deli, Comix, and Sunwood shared their valuable insights on the smart office market at the “Forum and Annual General Meeting of the Office Supplies Professional Committee of the CSSGA”.
“Some of the industry’s leading companies have experienced double-digit sales growth during the pandemic. Their experience sharing certainly helps the audience members. Participants are interested in the forum because they want to learn more about effective marketing and product development. Information on these topics is highly relevant to them. For many participants, a lot of the information that was covered was novel. The forum offers a very professional exchange platform for the industry,” commented Victor Yu, vice secretary general of the CSSGA.
Best Stationery Awards
The Sidanxing · Best Stationery of China BSOC Awards was the event that everyone in the industry was anticipating because of the high levels of recognition that it receives each year. The Awards identify excellent designs produced by forward-thinking manufacturers. In 2020, the Gold Award winners impressed the jury panel with their exceptional products. For example, in the student supplies category, a practical clothing marker produced by Trodat provides a perfect labelling solution for children’s clothing and other personal belongings because it makes durable markings on textiles products. In the office supplies category, M&G Stationery’s innovative and patented automatic tape cutter is quick and easy to use with a single hand thanks to its concealed cutting blade design for safe use.
Other fringe program events such as the “Request in common use of security for student’s articles” seminar and the “China Stationery & Book Retail Industry Forum”, offered information on compulsory national standards, as well as exclusive insights into the changing dynamics facing the stationery and office supplies industries.
Buyers, who were unable to travel to Shanghai due to the travel restrictions, were provided with the opportunities to remotely source products and connect with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers thanks to Paperworld China’s newly launched online business matching program. Sourcing session were organized for buyers in Turkey and in the Middle East market, in which 173 meetings were organized. Each of the sessions was attended by 50 manufacturers and suppliers as well as 60 overseas buyers. The total transaction value of the two sessions is estimated to have reached $7.80 million.
The next edition of Paperworld China will be held from Oct. 15-17, 2021. For more information, visit www.paperworldchina.com.
Other Paperworld Brand Shows
- Paperworld
- Frankfurt am Main
- Paperworld India / Corporate Gifts Show, Mumbai
- Paperworld Middle East / Playworld Middle East, Dubai
- Hong Kong International Stationery Fair