BOSS/GfK Panelmarket summary for March 2023 released

GfK track and audit 36 product categories in the Office & Stationery sector and produces time comparable data for Sales Value, Sales Units/Packs and Sales Pieces – as well as calculating an average pack price and sales price

Latest available data is up to (and including) March 2023.

Sales in March 2023 were just under £135 million – 4.3% up from February, and 0.1% greater than March 2022.

In 2022, a lifting of restrictions (in England) helped the total in January 2022 recover. February declined in line with previous years, March stabilised from that. Unfortunately, as expected, April experienced a further downturn – but there was stronger growth, than in recent years, during May.

Sales in June held above 2021 and 2020 levels, whilst July recovered to split the levels recorded in 2020 and 2021. A further downturn in August was followed by a slight recovery in September, some growth in October (though just not strong enough to push it above previous October levels).

A decline in November was followed by a further deterioration in December. There was an annual decline of 1.3% in 2022. Sales in 2022 were 3.1% below the level in 2020 and 11.8% below the pre-Covid comparison to 2019.

So far in 2023, sales in January and February tracked marginally below the monthly comparisons to 2022, whilst sales in March were marginally above the comparison to March 2022.

Looking ahead, the traditional seasonal pattern suggests a deterioration in April will be followed by a seasonal boost in May, a downturn in June, and then a further pick-up in July.

Average piece price was £2.71 in March 2023, 9.5% up on the £2.48 recorded in March 2022.

Sales in the 12 months to March 2023 were just over £1.73 billion – only 0.3% below the 12 months to March 2022. (Sales so far this year are 1.1% down in comparison with January and March 2022.)

Average piece price in the 12 months to March 2023 was £2.24 – 8.7% up from the £2.06 recorded in the 12 months to March 2022.

Click here to download the full BOSS/GfK Panelmarket report or a new excel file depicting the latest sales charts for the consumer, retail and systemhouse channels.