STATIONERY has cost up to 40% more since October, due to the higher cost of raw materials such as metal and plastic.

The Malaysian Insight found that the prices of books and writing pads have increased by 35%, razor blades (25%), file folders (15%), ball pens (10%) and staplers (5%).

A shortage of raw materials and slew of logistics issues have seen producers passing the additional costs to customers.

Stationery shop owner Choo Kit Meng said even glue prices are starting to rise.

“Manufacturers say a raw material is out of stock, so prices have started to rise by 30% to 40%,” he said, adding that costs of incoming stocks have gone up by 50%.

“I usually wait for a new batch of stocks to come in. If the costs are too high, I will adjust the prices, otherwise I will absorb them.”

He gets his stocks from local wholesalers, who source them from countries such as China and Japan.

Choo’s 6-year-old shop is in Setia Alam, Selangor, and attracts kindergarten and school students, as well as office workers.

He tries to keep product prices as low as possible for the sake of his customers, despite rent costing more due to the pandemic.

Stationery shop owner Karen Chan said she still sells some stocks at the old price, but acknowledged that new stocks will cost more.

Chan, whose shop is in Johor Baru, Johor, said product prices will go up by 10% to 20% once fresh shipment arrives.

“I have notified regular customers that if they have children, they should buy stationery now to save up on cost,” she said, adding that she expects the price hike to continue even when schools start again. – January 3, 2022.