With London Stationery Show now over for another year, we’ve been looking back on all our favourite moments.
Aaaaaaaaand that’s a wrap! London Stationery Show 2024 was one to remember, crammed full of newness, chat, fun, gossip, creativity, deals, and competitions – as well as lots of business too over the two days.
Among the many retail buyers who were inspired by the 120-plus exhibitors were Card Factory, Cardzone, Cass Art, Clintons, Cult Pens, Dobbies, Flying Tiger, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Hobbycraft, House of Cards, Jarrolds, John Lewis, London Graphic Centre, M&S, Morrisons, Liberty London, National Trust, Next, Papier, Postmark, Ryman, Sainsbury’s, Science Museum, Scribbler, Selfridges, Tesco, The Works, Waterstones, WH Smith as well as a veritable who’s who of leading indies.
There were plenty of first-time visitors as well, one being Miles Robinson, co-founder of House Of Cards, with seven shops in the home counties. “What a wonderful show. It was brilliant! Being able to see, in detail, new areas of potential and meet some suppliers we had seen before but never had time to see (within the confines of Spring Fair) was really worthwhile. I’m pretty sure we will end up dealing with at least two or even three new to us suppliers, which makes the show a great success and one for the calendar hereon in.”
Antonia Secchi, owner of Write Stuff, Edinburgh said: “My shop is tiny and already rammed! I promised myself I wouldn’t get anyone new but I’ve broken that promise already. I’ve caught up with my current suppliers and expanded with their offer. Coffeenotes have brought out some tiny nice notebooks, and they look good. And I’m probably going to add some of Tom’s Studio pens from Manuscript.”
There was plenty to see and do at the show, with a packed talks and workshops programme, demos on exhibitor stands and the Stationery Awards reception in the evening. Here are a few of our favourite memories:
The buzz around the Boutique Collection
Just by the main entrance on the ground floor was the boutique collection, with design-led, independent brands and it was positively buzzing! “We haven’t had a chance to stop,” Roz Naverian of Storigraphic told StationeryNews.net on Wednesday afternoon. “It has been so busy, we’ve hardly had time to catch our breath.”
Around the corner, Rebel Stationery was busy showing its newly launched collection of notebooks, diaries and planners, with co-founder Bex Newell commenting: “It’s just been such a fantastic experience. The feedback we’ve had has been amazing. The atmosphere among the other exhibitors is brilliant, just like a family. Everyone looks out for each other and helps keep you going.”
Theo
He came, he spoke and then he worked the show floor! Ryman’s Theo Paphitis opened the very first London Stationery Show back in 2010 and this year he spoke to a standing-room-only audience about his stationery journey, sharing his top tips to stay ahead in business. Afterwards, he walked the show, stopping to chat with visitors and exhibitors.
“I loved Theo’s talk,” said Sandra Jervis of Creative Cove in Lampeter “His thoughts on the reforms for business rates were given with absolute honesty, he was brutal and blunt about what needs to be done and resonates with all retailers across the board. It’s nice to know that someone like him thinks the same way as us – and he isn’t afraid to say so.”
All the creativity
Brush lettering, water colours, calligraphy, clay modelling, journalling, doodling – these were just some of the creative arts that visitors could experience for themselves. And not forgetting the chance to make your own fountain pen on the Kaweco stand or get your own personalised notebook from LEUCHTTURM1917 or a beautifully styled bookmark from Pentel.
The Stabilo staircase
Featured in lots of posts, reels and stories on the socials over the two days was the colourful Stabilo staircase, leading from the ground floor up to the mezzanine.
Jo McBeath, owner of Chirpy in Chapel Allerton, Leeds shared a photo of herself on the stairs and told her followers on Instagram: “A much overdue trip to London to visit London Stationery Show as part of National Stationery Week and it didn’t disappoint. Chatted to lots of potential suppliers and great to hear the views of other indie shops about their love for all things stationery.”
And the wonderful people
Thank you to all the exhibitors and visitors who made the show – the first under the ownership of Max Publishing – so special.
“We’ve been absolutely blown away by all the amazing feedback we’ve had about the show,” said Chantelle White, event manager of London Stationery Show. “Thank you to all the exhibitors and visitors who made the two days of the show so special. To have so many people telling us that it really was an outstanding show makes us feel so proud. But you can guarantee we won’t be resting on our laurels – we’re all raring to go to make the 2025 London Stationery Show even better!”
We’ll leave it to Graham Craik, director of sales for Pentel UK to sum up the show…
