Office Supplies and Stationery Stores NAICS 459410

Jun 7, 2026 - Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Drop

• Total US printing-writing (P-W) paper shipments dropped 10% in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA). Total US printing-writing paper inventories were down 1% in April 2026 from the prior month. In March 2026, US imports of all three grades of P-W paper – coated free sheet (CFS), uncoated free sheet (UFS), and mechanical – decreased by 9% compared to March 2025, according to the US Census Bureau. March imports of CFS declined 42%, while UFS imports were down 11% and mechanical saw an 8% decline. Steady drops in printing-writing paper shipments, inventories, and imports could signal weak paper demand.
• The office supply and stationery store industry is expected to continue to experience negative sales growth in the coming years after posting a 3.9% decline in year-over-year sales in 2025, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The industry is projected to notch a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.5% between 2006 and 2030, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The industry is challenged by online retailers with competitive pricing, and the ongoing erosion of paper products demand.

• The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased to 93.1 in May (1985=100) from 93.8 in April. The Present Situation Index - based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions - dropped three points in May to 121.2. The Expectations Index - based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions - increased to 74.4 from 73.4. Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, said, "Consumer confidence edged downward in May as the inflationary impacts of the war in the Middle East intensified. Consumer appraisals of current business conditions and the current labor market were moderately less positive compared to last month. This was somewhat offset by modest improvements in consumers’ expectations for business conditions and the labor market six months from now. Meanwhile, income expectations eased in May, as those anticipating less income rose." Soft consumer confidence can slow foot traffic at office supply and stationery stores.
• At retailing industry event Shoptalk Spring, retail leaders broadly agreed that artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the industry, but differed on how far its influence should extend, according to Retail Dive. Many see AI as a foundational tool that requires constant testing and adaptation to stay competitive, while others stress that human interaction remains essential for trust, service, and emotional connection. Executives generally view AI as effective for improving efficiency, data use, and employee support. Yet, opinions diverge on customer-facing roles, particularly chatbots, which some believe will transform service and others see as limited to complex or high-value purchases. There is a growing consensus that AI is changing how consumers search, shop, and make decisions, pushing retailers to deliver more personalized, end-to-end experiences while not fully replacing the human element.