The latest data from GfK/BOSS has pointed to a mid-single decline in the UK stationery market.
According to the new Office & Stationery Market Overview report, sales across the 33 categories tracked by GfK were £870.4 million for the first eight months of 2026, a year-on-year decrease of 6%.
The decline in volume was more pronounced, with the number of packs sold falling by 8.4% over the same period. This was partly offset by a 2.6% increase in the average price per pack.
There were similar trends for the month of August. Market sales of £108.2 million were 4.3% lower than last year, while pack volumes dropped by 8.9%.
Performance varied considerably between the main channels tracked by GfK. The consumer electronics, mass merchant and DIY segment continued to outperform the market, with year-to-date sales down just 1%. It also recorded 3.1% growth in the April-June quarter, although sales slipped by 2.2% in August.
The picture was considerably weaker in the commercial reseller channel. Sales through the combined commercial stationery, office equipment reseller and traditional computer reseller segment fell by 12.8% in the first eight months of the year. August was also challenging, with sales down 10.4% year on year.
