INDUSTRY
E D U C AT I O N O P P O R T U N I T I E S
Educating the educators As learning returns to something akin to normal for schools and universities, there are plenty of opportunities for dealers – but they need to advise customers on the best products for their needs
T
he past two years have been like no
driven by the trend for greener schools, continues, and
other for the education sector, with
there is also a comprehensive demand for effective
remote and home learning used
PPE, social distancing signage and sanitation solutions
as never before - but now most
throughout the educational sector. In addition, the
learning is back in the classroom,
global school stationery supplies market is expected to
and there is a focus on helping learners – especially
grow at a CAGR of around 4% between 2021-2026.”
schoolchildren – to catch up on the ground they may
The pandemic led to an expansion in remote
have lost during the pandemic. While technology can play a part in this, more
learning so other growing areas of the market are cloud-based software and cyber security solutions,
traditional products - such as paper and stationery - are
as well as products that can facilitate asynchronous
still important to engage children and help them to learn.
learning, says Lawrence. “This has influenced greater
Of growing importance too are sustainable solutions,
demand for items such as headphones, webcams, USB
as Lawrence Savage, marketing manager at ExaClair,
multiport adaptors and power packs; as a result, the
explains. “With over £1.5 billion of UK government
need for suitable, adaptable storage and organisational
spending recently pledged to both upgrading current
products has also grown.”
buildings and the construction of new schools to meet
This means dealers need to work closely with
the growing student population, there is a growing
their educational sector customers to understand
shift towards creating green schools that incorporate
their needs, in order to advise them effectively to
sustainable products and initiatives,” he says.
match the best solutions to their individual budgets.
“The government is, reportedly, allocating an extra
“In the long-term this will enable dealers to build
£4.7 billion for schools in England by 2024-25. The
lasting relationships and create wider customer
current increase in ecologically-aware product sales,
loyalty,” says Lawrence.
[24] APRIL 2022
www.dealersupport.co.uk
