The Future of Thermal Paper Markets to 2018 - Multi Client Report

Thermal paper is used in a wide range of applications including the retail, entertainment, medical and transport sectors. The two largest end uses of thermal paper are point of sale (POS) and labels. Although widespread in their use, as with many printed paper products, technology developments have enabled alternative systems and processes to develop that are and will continue to impact thermal paper demand.

For example, currently there is much optimistic data and media about e-receipts replacing paper receipts as smart phones, tablets and contactless bank cards are increasingly used for retail transactions. In recent times myriad examples of new retailing technology likely to impact receipt formats are appearing and it is too early to predict exactly what will predominate and precisely how it will evolve. The e-receipt market is in its infancy and paper receipts are likely to be a mainstream feature of consumer retailing for the future.

 

THE FUTURE OF PAPER RECEIPTS FALLS INTO THREE CATEGORIES:

  • Legal Requirements - Until all retailers and all consumers are able to deliver e-receipts, there will be some need for paper receipts
  • Perceived Legal Requirements - Regardless of statute law, there is widespread belief that a paper receipt as opposed to a receipt (or in fact no receipt) is a universal consumer right. Retailers will not want to create widespread customer discontent by removing paper receipts too quickly. The overriding issue is 'customer satisfaction' meaning the merchant will provide a receipt if requested.
  • Business Operational and Trading Requirements - The traditional Point of Sale (POS) terminal will undoubtedly become the Point of Interaction (POI) and this will introduce new hardware into the hands of either the customer, the merchant, or both and potentially changes the emphasis and the way in which a sale transaction is completed. However each retail category and to a lesser degree location, has different requirements and certain payment transactions and customers will continue to require a paper receipt as proof of contract. Many merchants will want to provide a receipt partly for the same reason.

Future thermal paper use in a range of application sectors will be influenced by a range of factors. These include:

  • The green effect - including accreditation; use of bisphenol A; lower basis weights
  • Technological developments - including the impact of digital and mobile communication, e receipts, smart phones
  • Market effects - including regional differences, economic issues, developed vs developing countries, trade issues
  • Changing end user needs and requirements - including 'etailing', 'value' of paper receipt vs e receipt
  • Competitive landscape - including new entrants, trade 'wars'
  • The nature and magnitude of these factors on future thermal paper demand will form the focus of research in this study and provide a view on the future for thermal paper through to 2018.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE:

The project evaluated the impact of a range of factors on future attitudes to and the use of thermal paper based products.

The evaluation assesses:

  • How are these factors affecting overall consumption and demand of the thermal paper products?
  • When will their effect start having more impact on paper suppliers and others involved in the paper supply chain?


SCOPE OF WORK:

In addition to the overarching economic considerations brought about by the global financial situation, a number of behavioural and technological trends and issues will have a significant impact on the demand for thermal paper based products.

Key trends that are explored in the context of the study are:

  • Impact of 'green' related issues
  • Growth of 'tablet' computers and mobile phones and their impact on retailing
  • Requirement for thermal paper in developing economies
  • Evolution of end use markets/end users in relation to their need future need for thermal paper

SPECIFIC ISSUES:

  • B2B use of e-receipts
  • Green corporate social responsibility
  • Contactless/mobile commerce
  • Retail uptake of new POS technology
  • On-line shopping
  • Use of paper receipts for retailer promotions
  • Political pressures
  • Demographics

Some but not all of these trends and issues will be affected by geographical factors. To address these and other question the research provides a global view, with a specific focus on particular regions as required.

The effect of these issues on the market and future demand are assessed and the following aspects quantified:

  • Supply - production and capacity by region
  • Demand - by region
  • Supply: demand balance
  • End Use Segmentation: POS, labels, lottery & gaming, entertainment, medical & pharmacy, transportation, other
  • Future Demand

METHODOLOGY:

Primary research
A number of telephone interviews with a representative cross section of players across the supply chain and across the designated geographical areas. Smithers Pira's experience indicates that up to 50 telephone interviews should be carried out. These interviews were global in scope, with a particular focus on designated regions and regional players.
Smithers Pira used its well-developed approach to maximise the amount of information gathered during each interview. Due to its extensive background and the knowledge of the industry, Smithers Pira is routinely successful in engaging participants in detailed discussions.

Secondary desk research
Information and internal and external data was sourced from:

  • Smithers Pira market reports and journals - Smithers Pira publishes many market reports and journals.
  • Smithers Pira Database - Smithers Pira's Information Centre subscribes to over 1000 industry journals, and relevant articles from the journals are abstracted into the Smithers Pira Database. Conference papers are also abstracted.
  • Various online market research databases and directories including Eurostat, UN Comtrade, Bureau of the Census, Kompass, Birkner, Lockwood Post.
  • Web sites, industry directories and trade associations.
  • All these will be searched to maximise the primary research.

INCLUDED WITH THE STUDY:

  • Copies of proposed investigative questionnaires for comment and revision
  • A report describing the results and analysis of the research, the scenario development, the assumptions on which they are built, and the consequences of realisation of a given scenario on future thermal paper consumption
  • Quantification of market and forecasts through to 2018 including
  • Supply - production and capacity by region
  •  Demand - by region
  •  Supply: demand balance
  •  End Use Segmentation: POS, labels, lottery & gaming, entertainment, medical & pharmacy, transportation, other
  •  Future Demand
  • An optional on-site presentation of the findings and their implications for individual sponsorsd paper receipts are likely to be a mainstream feature of consumer retailing for the future.