Back in the office after a grueling, yet productive, four days at the ECRM School & Office Supply meetings last week. Over the course of this event, I met with 107 different school & office supply vendors and reviewed the offerings they will have for 2012. There are some great opportunities for the ICBA member stores, which we will bring to you as part of the ICBA 2012 Buying Programs. Here is just a sampling.
We all know that you can recycle paper, and you know you can make it out of sugar cane and even elephant dung. Then I was surprised when I sat down with a vendor who makes paper out of stone. My initial thought was a Flintstone-like slab of stone, a hammer and chisel, and the “dink-dink-dink” as you chisel away your notes. But this paper was exceptionally smooth and bright and writing on it is a dream. Stone paper is recyclable, durable, water-resistant, tear and scuff resistant and never turns yellow. Who would have thought this was possible? Just an example of exciting new products to soon be heading our way!
Major manufacturers are now gearing more of their styles and colors of writing instruments towards women. Barrels will be available in more color and pattern options. Many of the companies bring both a fashion and professional look. Violet colored ink is now in the top 3, overtaking Red as a preferred choice.
And then there is Angry Birds, the top rated game/app for mobile devices. Angry Birds is now showing up in school & office supplies. Portfolios, notebooks, erasers, calendars, posters…you name it and the birds (and pigs) are on it. I’ll bet an overwhelming majority of your students have the Angry Birds on their iPad, iPhone or Droid. Stocking these products would be a “fun” look for your department.
How about a bag made entirely from a single zipper? Designed for function, fashion and fun, these bags are made of high-quality, reinforced, durable zippers. It is a long strip of unzipped zippers that becomes a beautiful handbag once zipped. Other styles include a laptop bag, tote or gadget pouch.
Finally, more and more fashion looks are available in wirebound notebooks, binders and portfolios. Contemporary colors and patterns, as well as sketched art looks, are available. Many companies are offering glitter products and several boasted 3D lenticular cover designs. The depth of image technology today is remarkable.
We will be working with these companies to develop product and pricing programs for ICBA members for 2012 and the BTS season. Look for these exciting new programs as we announce them at the end of the year. Fun new additions are coming your way!
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