The market of stationery products, office supplies and office furniture might double by 2010, amid the large number of companies entering Romania and the rising number of "office" employees.

Stationery products and office supplies now account for about three quarters of the business "outfitting" Romanians' offices. The market is largely made up of consumers who are primarily looking at prices, putting quality second.

Consumption of office supplies/stationery products per "white collar" in the financial-banking sector revolves around 23.5 euros, while in the case of production personnel it stands at approximately 15 euros, reveals a survey conducted by Office Express, a member of the RTC group.

We are likely to reach the average monthly consumption rate now registered in Europe, of 20-25 euros per "white collar", in 2010.

At present, there are no statistical data related to the value of the market of office supplies and stationery products in Romania, but the main players put sales of such products at approximately 150 million euros, office furniture not included.

Sales of office furniture now stand at approximately 50 million euros, according to the estimates by market players, who add these may get to 100 million euros in five years.

As companies are constantly announcing expansion plans, the market of stationery products and office supplies can only go up.

Nevertheless, the market will not be considerably influenced by the rising number of office buildings. "The development of office buildings will bring only moderate growth for the moment in terms of our sales. The IT and furniture segment will grow in parallel with the need to equip the new spaces in line with the latest tendencies. The market of stationery products/ office supplies will witness significant growth at the moment major international players enter the Ro