Every year during the back-to-school season, the stationery market experiences a sales surge. From elementary school to university, freshmen to seniors, students need to purchase a new batch of school supplies to prepare for the new semester. In recent years, with evolving consumer attitudes and continuous innovation in the stationery industry, stationery is no longer simply a learning tool; it has gradually become a comprehensive vehicle for personalized expression, improved learning efficiency, and a beautiful experience. So, which stationery items will be hot sellers during the 2025 back-to-school season? This article will review the top-selling stationery items for the back-to-school season and analyze the underlying consumer trends.
1. Top 10 Stationery Categories
1.1 Gel Pens and Erasable Gel Pens
Gel pens remain a must-have for students. Compared to traditional ballpoint pens, gel pens offer smoother writing and more even ink flow, making them a popular choice for students. In recent years, erasable gel pens have rapidly gained popularity, becoming a favorite among middle and high school students due to their "erasable" nature. They prevent messy exams caused by erroneous corrections and help students keep their notebooks tidy. Especially during exam prep season, erasable gel pens are almost a must-have.
1.2 Multifunctional Pencil Cases
Pencil cases have long become more than just a place to store pens; they've become a small accessory that allows students to express their individuality. Popular multifunctional pencil cases often feature large capacity, multi-layered designs, and categorized storage. Some even feature stand-up stands. Popular designs include minimalist styles, anime collaborations, and macaron colors, all of which students can't put down.
1.3 Notebooks and Journals
In the digital age, paper notebooks remain highly popular. Whether for study notes, exam questions, or keeping a journal, students have a natural desire for attractive, high-quality notebooks. Grid notebooks, loose-leaf notebooks, and exercise books, in particular, continue to lead in sales. Journals with time management features are particularly popular among efficiency-conscious high school and college students.
1.4 Highlighters and Markers
Highlighter sales surged during the back-to-school season, driven by the extensive marking of key points during pre-study and review. Multi-color highlighter sets are more popular than single-color sets. In recent years, highlighters in pastel colors (such as Morandi and milk tea) have become popular, avoiding the glare of traditional fluorescent colors and enhancing the aesthetics of notes.
1.5 Student Backpacks
Backpacks are not just school supplies; they are also students' daily essentials. Currently, popular backpacks feature lightweight, waterproof design, and back protection. This is especially true for elementary school students, where back protection is a primary consideration for parents. Middle school and university students, on the other hand, prefer simple, stylish backpacks, which are both practical and expressive.
1.6 Correction Tape and Correction Fluid
Although electronic assignments are increasingly common, correction tape remains in high demand for paper-based assignments and exams. Compared to traditional correction fluid, correction tape is easy to use, clean, and quick to use, without the risk of bleeding or slow drying. In recent years, eco-friendly, refillable correction tape has become a popular choice, saving money and promoting environmental sustainability.
1.7 Rulers, Compasses, and Geometry Sets
Mathematical tools remain a consistent seller during the back-to-school season. Geometry sets, in particular, including rulers, set squares, protractors, and compasses, are practically a must-have for middle school students. To avoid the dullness of traditional tools, some brands have introduced geometry tools in colorful, transparent materials or with anti-slip features, which are very popular among students.
1.8 File Folders and Storage Supplies
With the increasing academic workload, students are increasingly focused on organizing and categorizing their materials. Products like A4 file folders, document files, and error logs are in strong demand. File folders with categorization labels and expandable storage are particularly popular among parents and students.
2. Differences in Stationery Purchases by Age
Elementary school students: They value back-protective backpacks, colorful stationery, cartoon pencil cases, and geometry tools. Parents are the primary decision-makers, prioritizing safety and functionality.
Middle school students: They prefer efficiency and practicality, favoring loose-leaf notebooks, multi-functional pencil cases, error logs, and erasable gel pens.
College students: They value individuality and convenience, favoring notebooks, creative stationery, electronic stationery, and minimalist learning tools.
3. Back-to-School Stationery Shopping Tips
Plan your list in advance: List essential items based on grade level and curriculum requirements to avoid blind purchases.
Focus on quality: Especially for writing utensils and school bags, don't skimp on quality for cheap.
Buy in moderation: Stationery is constantly changing, and overstocking can lead to waste.
Try eco-friendly products: This supports environmental protection while also fostering a sense of responsibility in your child.
Adopt a moderate approach to individuality: Allow your child to choose one or two attractive stationery items to enhance their learning interest.
The best-selling stationery items for back-to-school season reflect not only students' learning needs but also changing consumer attitudes. Balancing practicality and aesthetics, tradition and innovation, and environmental protection and creativity have become the dominant trends in the current stationery market. For students, the right stationery can improve learning efficiency; for parents, choosing the right stationery is a form of companionship and care. No matter how the market changes, stationery remains an indispensable companion during student life. As the new semester approaches, choosing the right stationery set is both an investment in learning and a commitment to the future.
As a professional stationery supplier, Johnshen has dedicated itself to the research, development, and sales of student stationery for many years. Its product line includes a full range of school supplies, including gel pens, erasable gel pens, and notebooks. During the back-to-school season, Johnshen closely tracks market trends and continuously launches stationery products that combine practicality and design to meet the needs of students from elementary school to university. With high-quality materials, sophisticated craftsmanship, and stylish designs, Johnshen stationery products are popular not only in the domestic market but also abroad, earning the trust of teachers, students, and parents.
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