The notebook market in Le Monde

Who would have thought that a humble notebook could be an everyday hero? This faithful companion, ready to receive our thoughts and scribbles, remains indispensable. It is useful for everything and everyone, everyone finds something for them. But how many do you need to have one?

The origins of the notebook

The origins of the notebook date back to Antiquity, where clay tablets and papyrus rolls were used for writing. In the Middle Ages, parchment codices gradually replaced rolls. The invention of printing by Gutenberg in the 15th century allowed the production of more accessible paper books and notebooks. Modern notebooks, as we know them today, developed in the 18th century with the widespread use of paper manufacturing and mass schooling.

Cahiers excellence 2024

In 2024, the French notebook market is dominated by prestigious brands. Hamelin, a European leader, stands out for its sustainable practices and its European Ecolabel. Clairefontaine is renowned for the quality of its papers. Séyès notebooks, with their specific grid, remain essential in schools. Quo Vadis impresses with its carefully designed diaries and notebooks. Brepols, a Belgian company, offers high-quality stationery. These brands, truly essential, elevate the writing experience.

Economic analysis of the notebook market.

Market value
Overall, the market is estimated at 30 million euros in certain regions.
Price trends by region
France
In France, a study by UFC-Que Choisir indicates a drop of around 1% in the prices of school supplies for the 2024 school year. The drop in notebook prices is significant at almost 10% compared to the previous year. The Tour de France 2024 holiday notebook is available from €9.50. A spiral notebook is offered at €14.89 on Etsy. The Polypro Équipe de France notebook varies in price. The holiday notebooks for 6th/5th grade cost around €9.50, while those for CE2/CM1, CM1/CM2, CE1/CE2, and CM2/6th grade are around €4.95 each.
Burkina Faso
The price increase for the 2023-2024 school year is observed: small format 100 pages from 125 FCFA to 150 FCFA (≈ €0.19 to €0.23). Large format from 800 FCFA to 1000 FCFA (≈ €1.22 to €1.52).
North America (United States and Canada)
Spiral notebooks sell for around €4.55 to €13.64 depending on the brand and design.
Asia
Prices for standard notebooks, usually sold between €0.45 and €2.73 depending on the size and quality. Specialty notebooks range from €2.73 to €9.09 for notebooks with specific features (perforated pages, hard covers, unique designs).

The notebook is our silent confidant, our infallible memory aid, and sometimes even our personal therapist. Whether it’s jotting down brilliant ideas, solving complex equations, or simply doodling during a boring meeting, the notebook is there for us.