South Korea Office Supplies Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Distribution Channel (Paper Supplies, Writing Supplies, Filling Supplies, Binding Supplies), By End Use, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

South Korea Office Supplies Market Trends

The South Korea office supplies market size was estimated at USD 1.09 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.0% from 2025 to 2030. Key industries such as finance, technology, and manufacturing are flourishing, leading to an increasing demand for office infrastructure, including furniture and stationery. This growth is further amplified by the rising presence of multinational corporations and significant foreign investment, which necessitate more commercial office spaces. As businesses expand and new enterprises emerge, the continuous requirement for equipping these spaces forms a fundamental driver for market demand.

A significant shift in work paradigms, notably the rise of remote and hybrid work models, has spurred considerable demand for home office supplies and furniture, as employees and students seek to establish ergonomic, functional, and comfortable setups for productivity in their residential environments. This evolution in work arrangements has led to a noticeable preference for products that support flexible work, such as modular and ergonomic furniture, capable of accommodating both traditional office and home-based needs, thereby expanding the market’s scope beyond conventional office settings. Businesses are increasingly investing in these specialized and innovative office products to boost employee productivity and overall well-being, pushing manufacturers to continuously develop cutting-edge solutions that align with the evolving technological landscape of the modern office.

Furthermore, government policies actively support business expansion and office modernization, often allocating budgets for upgrading public and private office infrastructure. In January 2025, the MSS unveiled its 2025 plan, focusing on revitalizing the local economy, fostering innovation, and proactively addressing future challenges. This strategy includes financial aid of ~USD 2.37 billion (KRW 3.2 trillion) and ~USD 1.11 billion (KRW 1.5 trillion) for import/export companies, alongside a ~USD 741 million (KRW 1.0 trillion) venture investment initiative. These initiatives foster the adoption of advanced office supplies and furniture. Simultaneously, South Korean consumers and businesses are increasingly prioritizing high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing office solutions.

Evolving consumer preferences are significantly influencing the South Korean office supplies market. There is a marked shift towards high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing items, with a strong emphasis on ergonomic designs that enhance employee well-being. This trend is further amplified by a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products, reflecting a broader environmental consciousness among both businesses and individual consumers.

Product Insights

Paper supplies dominated the market and accounted for a share of 33.4% in 2024. High demand for paper supplies in South Korea’s office supplies market stems from a pronounced shift towards sustainability, with consumers and businesses favoring recyclable and biodegradable paper over plastic, reinforced by government bans on single-use plastics. This demand is further amplified by the burgeoning e-commerce and delivery services sector, which necessitates extensive paper-based packaging for safe delivery. The expanding food and beverage industry heavily utilizes paper for its disposability and eco-friendly appeal, particularly for takeout. These trends are solidified by government initiatives like deposit programs for single-use cups and stringent recycling guidelines.

Writing supplies are projected to grow significantly over the forecast period, driven by the expansion of corporate and educational sectors requiring reliable instruments for daily activities. This is augmented by the surge in remote work and home-based learning, increasing personal stationery needs. Consumer preferences for premium, innovative, and eco-friendly products, alongside a cultural emphasis on self-expression and creativity, also boost sales. Furthermore, the accessibility of e-commerce and strategic seasonal promotions, such as back-to-school periods, significantly contribute to market growth.

Distribution Channel Insights

Offline distribution channels led the market with a revenue share of 89.7% in 2024 due to the consumers’ desire for a tactile and personalized experience. Events like stationery fairs, such as Inventario 2025, enable customers to physically interact with products, fostering an appreciation for design and quality that online platforms cannot fully replicate. These curated retail experiences transform shopping into a creative and social activity, showcasing diverse brands and unique products. Furthermore, offline stores build consumer trust through immediate gratification and quality assessment, particularly for premium items. They also facilitate brand building and community engagement via in-person events and workshops, while directly supporting local artisans and handcrafted products, meeting the growing demand for originality and craftsmanship.

Online distribution channels are anticipated to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. Consumers and businesses benefit from 24/7 convenience and access to a vast product selection, including niche items, often with competitive pricing and promotions. This is underpinned by South Korea’s advanced e-commerce ecosystem. South Korea’s  landscape is dominated by platforms like Coupang (known for Rocket Delivery and AI recommendations, 18M+ users), Naver Shopping (integrated with the top search engine), Gmarket (cross-border capabilities), 11st (diverse products, promotions), and Lotte ON (strong online-offline integration). The market’s high demand for international brands, mobile shopping dominance, and platform-provide low entry barriers benefit foreign sellers in the market. The country’s efficient logistics and near-universal digital payment infrastructure (over 98% banked population) further facilitate seamless transactions. Moreover, the increased prevalence of remote work and home-based learning has significantly boosted reliance on online platforms for equipping home offices and distributed teams.

End Use Insights

Educational institutes held the largest revenue share of 31.4% in 2024, driven by the educational sector’s fundamental need for writing instruments, paper products, and art materials for daily classroom activities and administrative tasks. Rising student enrollment and continuous infrastructure investments are directly increasing demand across all educational levels. Furthermore, there’s a growing preference for eco-friendly, innovative, and customized stationery, such as smart notebooks, aligning with sustainability goals. This creates a perennial and diverse demand, encompassing daily educational use, examinations, and extracurricular activities.

The corporate segment is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period. In April 2024, the South Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) launched the Startup Korea Fund in Seoul. With over ~USD 222 million (KRW 300 billion) from 21 private investors and ~USD 148 million (KRW 200 billion) from the government, this ~USD 593 million (KRW 800 billion) venture capital fund aims to attract bolder private investments into innovative startups with global expansion plans. The expansion of commercial office spaces, driven by increased foreign investment, the entry of multinational companies, and government support for business expansion, directly fuels the need for new office infrastructure. Furthermore, South Korean companies are embracing modern office setups, such as open-plan layouts and collaborative workspaces, which necessitate contemporary, flexible, and modular office supplies and furniture. Rising commercial real estate costs encourage investment in space-optimizing solutions, while government initiatives to attract business investment further stimulate demand.

Key South Korea Office Supplies Company Insights

Some key companies operating in the market include KOKUYO Co.,Ltd.; Pentel; 3M; Newell Brands; Faber-Castell; BIC; and ACCO Brands; among others.

The market is also shaped by major retailers like ARTBOX, popular for trendy designs, and DAISO, known for affordability and accessibility. Prominent local brands include Monami and Dong-A for writing instruments, Iconic and Livework for stylish stationery, and Appree, Paperian, Suatelier, Colorverse, and Dailylike for unique and specialized items. Emerging brands and curated stores offer diverse and niche products, including artist collaborations.

• KOKUYO Co.,Ltd. has a strong South Korean presence via direct operations and partnerships. The company also offers digital and eco-friendly solutions along with its renowned “Campus” notebooks and ergonomic office furniture. Kokuyo’s multi-channel strategy, which uses e-commerce and the KAUNET mail-order business, leverages its reputation for quality and innovation, supported by R&D and sustainability commitments like a 30% CO2 reduction target by 2030.

• ACCO Brands distributes several premium products including GBC binding equipment, Kensington PC accessories, and Rexel filing solutions through various channels in South Korea. The company leverages globally recognized brands, emphasizes innovation and quality, and engages in local partnerships, such as with GMP Co. Ltd. for laminating machines, to adapt to market preferences and capitalize on seasonal demand.

Recent Developments

• In March 2024, Coupang expanded its Rocket Jikgu service to Japan, allowing South Korean customers direct access to Japanese products. This expansion included home improvement brands and stationery from Zebra, Mitsubishi, and Pentel, further diversifying Coupang’s overseas direct purchase offerings.

South Korea Office Supplies Market Report Scope

South Korea Office Supplies Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the South Korea office supplies market report based on product, distribution channel, and end use:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Paper Supplies

    • Notebooks and Notepads

    • Printing Paper

    • Others

  • Writing Supplies

    • Pens & Pencils

    • Highlighters & Markers

    • Others

  • Filling Supplies

    • File Folders

    • Envelopes

    • Others

  • Desk Supplies

    • Desk & Drawer Organizer

    • Paperweights & Stamp Pads

    • Others

  • Binding Supplies

  • Others

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Offline

  • Online

• End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Corporate

  • Educational Institutes

  • Hospitals

  • Hotels

  • Others