Montblanc and Parker controlling the US luxury writing instruments market

Sales within the US luxury writing instruments market increased by 6% in 2012, reaching a market value of $881 million by the end of the year. 2012 represented another year of steady growth for luxury products, outperforming mass market pens and accessories.

Luxury writing instruments performed well in 2012. Writing instruments continued to see steady growth after double-digit gains in 2011. This followed serious contractions in both unit volume and value sales of fine writing instruments in the 3-year period from 2008-2011, during which time consumers cut back on luxury gift giving and concentrated their dollar spending on other areas of the luxury market.

Even today, when the world has gone digital, many among us still enjoy writing in the form of ink to paper rather than keyboard to screen. For those that do, owning a luxury writing instrument will be the best thing, to make their writing experience more pleasurable and personally expressive.

Luxury writing instruments include premium ink cartridges and intricate writing tips that provide a smoother and more even flow of ink to paper. The size, shape and weight of luxury pens also facilitate an ergonomic and comfortable writing experience. There external appearance is pleasing and is designed to reflect class.

While luxury writing instruments remain a small fraction of total writing instrument volumes in the US, the highest end of the market outperformed mid-priced brands. Value sales of total writing instruments in the US are estimated to have declined by 1% in 2012, in contrast to a 4% increase for luxury writing instrument brands.

In 2011 Montblanc (among the largest single luxury brand) controlled 1% of total writing instrument value sales in the US.

European brand Montblanc is considered to be among the most prestigious brands within the luxury writing instruments market. Waterman and Parker, two designer writing instrument divisions of Newell Rubermaid, are prominent domestic brands in the US. Men's luxury apparel brand Brooks Brothers also offers a line of branded luxury fountain pens and stationery.

The US luxury writing instruments market is expected to enjoy a constant value compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% through to 2017. Luxury writing instruments will finally rebound to pre-recession 2007 highs (including forecast inflation) after 2016.

For more information on the US luxury writing instruments market, see the latest research: US Luxury Writing Instruments Market

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