BIC draws out steady future

BIC’s reports show an increase in stationery sales for Q4 2018, alongside a new strategic plan to transform its business for the future.

For FY2018, sales in the stationery segment were 1.2% higher in constant currency at €771.9 million.

In Europe, stationery sales were strong because of a “robust” back-to-school season (BTS) most notably in France and the UK. The season was similarly strong in North America, where BIC outperformed the market with mid single-digit growth.

Alongside company results, BIC also revealed the first steps in its new strategic plan to future-proof the company, entitled BIC 2022 – Invent the Future.

BIC has centred its plan around four “strategic pillars” to drive profitable sales growth, which will be implemented by an executive committee. Its goals are:

• Effectiveness – to find cost savings of €20 million each year that can be reinvested in driving growth
• Innovation – to increase the company’s new patent submissions by 20% each year
• Consumer-centric brands – to engage directly with 20% of consumers
• Omnichannel distribution – for e-commerce to account for 10% of sales  

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