Ecomdigest Stationery - 09.26.2024

PLUS: Join TikTok, Seraphine and Sweaty Betty for Fospha's BFCM wlive discussion on October 3

Specialty Bites 🍪

Peak season is the single best opportunity for D2C brands.

To help you capture it, Fospha has assembled a panel of industry experts. Join them for a live discussion featuring leaders at Sweaty Betty, Seraphine, and the Head of Measurement at TikTok.

📅 Date: Thursday, 3 October 2024

🕒 Time: 11 AM EST / 4 PM BST

P.S. You'll have the chance to ask the experts questions about peak season strategies in real-time!

Gain exclusive insight into:

  1. Proven tactics to maximize peak period opportunities, shared live by experts

  2. Strategies for capturing customers efficiently through a full-funnel approach

  3. Insights on growing your customer base profitably with effective measurement

  4. Methods for identifying and capitalizing on growth headroom for efficient scaling across channels

Industry News

The Pentel N50 permanent marker, a staple in warehousing and manufacturing, has found a new fan base among geoscientists aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough. These scientists, working in East Greenland's fjords, rely on the N50 to mark marine sediment cores, needing a marker that withstands harsh conditions like rain and mud.

N50 is not just Pentel’s best-selling permanent marker, it’s one of the industry’s most successful permanent markers of all time. The reason for its enduring popularity is a combination of qualities that deliver optimum performance: a tried and trusted ink formula that writes on many surfaces, including those that are dusty or oily; a robust bonded fibre tip that can cope with the challenges of everyday use in the warehouse, factory, office or workshop; and a strong aluminium barrel that doesn’t crack or shatter easily like plastic barrels. 

Wendy Vickery, Pentel's UK marketing manager

The marker's ability to write on various surfaces and its durable aluminum barrel make it indispensable. It's exciting to see this trusted tool still finding new applications after six decades.

Kakimori and Tom's Studio offer distinct metal dip nibs for calligraphy and illustration. Kakimori's nibs are user-friendly with sharp lines but can clog with heavy inks. Tom's Studio's One-Dip nib is versatile, allowing ink flow adjustments for varied line widths. Both are available in brass and stainless steel.

Papier's Advent calendar, priced at 140, offers 200 worth of exclusive stationery items and has already garnered significant interest. Other brands like Cult Pens and Legami also have their own versions, featuring premium pens and inks. Martha Brooks' calendar debuted on September 18, continuing its tradition of enchanting designs.

Performance Platters 🍽️

Brands like Belgian Boys and Olipop are shifting their focus to reach U.S. shoppers in smaller cities. They are investing in retail media networks and hyper-localized marketing to connect with busy parents and larger households. Platforms like Hummingbirds help brands create targeted campaigns, driving sales in specific regions.

Perplexity, backed by Nvidia and Jeff Bezos, is in talks with brands like Nike and Marriott to revolutionize AI-powered search advertising. They aim to replace Google's auction-based system with sponsored questions featuring AI-generated answers. This shift promises unbiased answers while enhancing user experience and advertising effectiveness.

VTEX's survey reveals that 45% of U.S. consumers have engaged in live shopping, with men leading in participation. Social video commerce is also popular, especially among Gen Z and millennials. Brands should leverage these trends, focusing on consistent, engaging experiences to boost consumer engagement and sales.

Ecomdigest is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division