Moleskine notebook a bestseller in the region, with maker expanding in Singapore
SINGAPORE - The global stationery and supplies market is on an incline over the years and is forecast to reach US$186.19 billion (S$244.63 billion) in market value by 2030, despite the infiltration of laptops, tablets and smartphones.
The forecast by research and advisory firm Mordor Intelligence also pointed to the Asia-Pacific as being set to be the fastest-growing market.
Italian notebook brand Moleskine, which opened a small boutique store at basement one of Takashimaya Shopping Centre earlier in April, is well-poised to capture the growing market in the region, particularly in Asia.
The brand has another store at Paragon, and plans to open its third store at Tanglin Mall in June. Moleksine also retails in bookstores such as Kinokuniya, and at selected travel retail WHSmith stores, which can be found in places such as Changi Airport.
In an e-mail interview with The Straits Times, Moleskine's chief executive officer Christophe Archaimbault said the Moleskine classic notebook has consistently been the top seller in the region.
The firm's clientele is a mix of local, regional and international shoppers, he said, adding that the response to Moleskine in Singapore has been 'incredibly heartening'. He declined to share specific sales figures.
Since the Milan-based company's founding in 1997, the company has found legions of fans worldwide for its notebooks with rounded corners, elastic closure and ribbon bookmark. Its product is a tribute to the original Moleskine books made in Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries which were said to have been used by famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso as well as writer Ernest Hemingway.
Through the years, the company has introduced sustainably-sourced paper in many of its collections, expanded its formats and introduced new textures and bindings to its products.
It has also earned its fair share of complaints in its overall paper quality. Mr Archaimbault said the firm is aware of online discussions over the issue.
'We continuously monitor feedback and refine our production to uphold the quality, consistency, and craftsmanship that the Moleskine name represents,' he said.
'That said, we understand some long-time fans may notice subtle differences, especially with how paper interacts with certain pens or inks,' he added, and said that feedback is always welcome.
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