As dealers look towards 2022, many will be looking to refresh their product lines and categories to provide customers with the best range of products possible. What will be the big trends in 2022, and how can dealers ensure they capitalise?
After two turbulent years, office supplies dealers will be looking forward to a year with – hopefully – a lot less disruption. They will also be looking to maximise sales by following the latest trends among customers and buying the latest products.
Of course, some key trends in 2022 will be similar to those seen in 2021, such as hybrid working and working from home. Often home workers have limited space and need to create an office on a minimal footprint. “Workers now need clever solutions that optimise the available space while also creating and efficient and pleasant working environment,” says Claire Negri, trade marketing executive at Durable (UK). “Portable and multifunctional equipment and storage solutions can help with this,” she says. “Tools like tablet holders, and drawer boxes to keep documents organised as well as blending in perfectly to a living environment.
“Light is also an essential element of good office design – this is even more important in a small working environment. Human-centric lighting is often preferred, especially if workers are not leaving their homes for a long periods of time during the day.”
Flexible solutions are also needed for hybrid workers, Claire points out. “A media trolley for video conferences, Zooming and presentations facilitates the digital presence of colleagues wherever they are. Video and audio conferencing is now a proven alternative to face-to-face meetings, ensuring a more productive and professional meeting experience.”
Richard Costin, CEO of Bisley, agrees that how space is used will be a key consideration in 2022. “We predict that zoning of space will be a key principle of space planning and design,” he says. “In an office, workspace or even a residential project, it essentially refers to the process of dividing space up, looking at it in terms of purpose, and then designing it accordingly.
“By designing specific, bespoke, fit-for-purpose spaces and environments – like collaboration hubs, creative work shopping spaces, and productivity zones – we have a chance to make sure we’re set up to achieve the task we’re trying to complete before it even starts. From welcome spaces to focus areas, or collaboration hubs to private meeting booths, making sure that space and colour is designed with the activity that’ll take place in it in mind is what zoning is all about.”
Richard adds that shelving units and lockers – in a range of colours – have been big sellers in 2021, with shelving units often used to divide and zone the working environment, as well as being a design choice for the home. Demand for lockers has also increased as staff return to the workplace with a desire for personal space and for locks that can be opened using apps via the ‘phone, says Richard.
Leon Haigh, UK sales manager at Phoenix Office, believes that demand for lockers will continue to grow, especially with the increasing use of hot desking. He adds that security products will also be in demand to help managers and employees maintain GDPR compliance. With more hybrid working and working from home, it needs to be ensured that sensitive company data, print outs, company laptops, ‘phones etc can be stored safely when not in use, and there are a range of products available to do that. “Office products dealers will need to be aware of this, and of the right products to promote,” he says.
Staying safe
Safety in the office will also be a priority in 2022, says Steve Plaistowe, Business Development Manager (OP Channel) at Spectrum Industrial. “As people return to the office, reviewing and installing health and safety signage will become important whether for offices, access areas such as car parks, security, washroom, canteens, first aid rooms etc, or for operational areas like warehouses, manufacturing sites, waste management areas, transportation yards etc,” he says.
Custom-designed signage could also be a growth area, he says. “Here the possibilities are endless for the dealer to sell new ideas to their customer bases, from site safety notice boards with logos and unique, designed, shadowboards, to office interior wall vinyls and bespoke signs. As businesses look to refresh their branding around their business, we are seeing companies looking at cost-effective ways to brighten up workspaces, put new commercial signage in place, and freshen up existing signage.”
Working smarter
Another growth sector for office supplies dealers is warehousing, transport and logistics, according to Jim Roberts, head of new product development at Beaverswood. Again, space is a key consideration, especially storage facilities. For instance, aisle racking boards can enable warehouses and storage facilities to make better use of their space – often the end of racking is an unused area, Jim says. Likewise, ’stations’ for cleaning, health and safety and other important hygiene or safety equipment for the facility, which simply hook onto the rack ends, will also be important.
“As companies run out of space they need to find ways to work smarter and create more space, while keeping their workers, vehicles and property safe,” says Jim.
Sustainability
Another key trend in 2022 will be a focus on sustainability and product origin, says Gemma Bassett of Sinclairs Products. “Consumer buying trends will, no doubt, reflect this too. However, we see that products that are able to state ‘British made’, ‘100% recycled’, ‘carbon zero’ – and other environmental certifications such as FSC – should be of particular importance to dealers and customers alike.”
Paul Savill, product manager, office and digital papers at Antalis, agrees, adding that there are some great innovations and small actions that can make a big difference. “Looking at what we use, and how we use it, is key; discerning buyers/consumers will be asking suppliers to be supportive, knowledgeable and, above all, responsive in finding more environmentally sound solutions,” he says.
“With the imminent arrival of the plastics tax in April 2022, we are already seeing products appearing on the market that are increasing their recycled content. Some products have simpler and more effective recycling options, whether it be plastic packaging such as stretch with a higher percentage of recycled content, or bubble lined mailers with a partially recycled liner – a myriad of other, more environmentally conscious, packaging products are also now available.
“Within office papers, aside from the opportunity to recycle the product document after use, manufacturers are looking at how they can improve the recyclability of the product and its packaging. Surface treatments aimed at improving the visual appearance of the completed document contribute to easier de-inking during the recycling process; not an obvious benefit at first glance, but still a significant step forward in reducing the product’s overall environmental impact. This, coupled with developments in easier to recycle ream wrappers, are important improvements.”
Wendy Vickery, marketing manager of Pentel, adds that there is also growing demand for refillable products. “Whether purchasing for the office, or for individual use at home, environmental considerations will play an increasingly important role in informing the decision-making process in 2022,” she says. “We’ve been working hard on new products to excite end-users – especially in the arts and crafts sector. We have also launched our range of plastic-free packaging to replace most of our conventional blister cards.”
Wendy believes that smaller pack sizes will continue to be in demand. While the standard pack size for pens used in the office tends to be 12 or 10, for an individual working at home this is simply too many to buy. Pentel has developed a range of cardboard wallets containing two, three or four products, which is a far more realistic quantity for most home working end-users.
Customers are also telling Pentel that their appetite for innovation has not diminished. “Since the reopening of non-essential retail stores our customers are as keen as ever to discover what’s new and how we can help generate end-user demand for our products,” says Wendy.
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