Sustainability and sourcing shifts shape Gifts World Expo and Paperworld Mumbai

The 2026 editions of Gifts World Expo Mumbai and Paperworld Mumbai opened on 26 February at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, bringing together 425 exhibitors from India and overseas.

Running from 26–28 February, the co-located B2B shows presented a comprehensive sourcing platform covering paper, stationery, office supplies, school products, writing instruments, creative materials and premium gifting solutions. The exhibition featured new product launches by Indian manufacturers and international brands, alongside live papermaking workshops, a sustainable innovation hub, a trending product zone, and dedicated startup and innovation areas.

The exhibitors showcased paper, stationery, office supplies, writing instruments, creative materials, lifestyle merchandise and customised gifting solutions. Highlights included new product launches, live papermaking demonstrations, a sustainability and innovation hub, start-up zones and trend-led product showcases.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior industry leaders from pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, corporate procurement and trade associations, reflecting the growing importance of gifting and stationery within organised B2B purchasing.

Speaking at the inauguration, Himani Gulati, director at MEX Exhibitions, said the co-location brings together the complete spectrum of gifting and stationery at a time when both sectors are undergoing structural change. “This edition serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and creative strength of these industries. Sustainability, innovation and personalisation are no longer optional — they are shaping purchasing decisions,” she said.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme across the show floor. Exhibitors highlighted recyclable, paper-based and eco-conscious alternatives, while live experiential sessions demonstrated circular economy practices, including papermaking from recycled rags and waste-to-pulp innovations. According to Raj Manek, executive director and board member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings, while sustainability comes at a cost, businesses increasingly accept that not all investments will be fully recoverable. “Some sustainability costs are sunk costs, but they are for the greater good of the planet. That reality is now widely accepted,” he noted.

Geopolitical uncertainty, including tariffs and trade disruptions, continues to cloud long-term return on investment calculations. However, Manek believes India is structurally better positioned than many Western markets. “India still has a lower cost base, particularly in skilled labour, which means a higher proportion of sustainability investments can be recovered compared to Europe,” she said.

International interest at the show underlined this shift. Exhibitors and buyers from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the UK participated, reflecting India’s growing role in global sourcing strategies. Manek reframed the widely discussed ‘China plus one’ approach, saying India has instead focussed on self-reliance. “Today, buyers are not driven only by price. Reliability, quality consistency and supply-chain dependability are far more important.”

The evolution of Gifts World Expo Mumbai also mirrors changing consumer behaviour. Once dominated by non-branded corporate gifting, the show now spans wedding, festive, celebration and ‘me-to-me’ gifting, with strong participation from established brands, D2C players and online-first companies. Personalisation and customised packaging have become key growth areas.

Despite the rise of digital commerce, organisers remain bullish about physical exhibitions. Gulati said face-to-face interaction, live product evaluation and networking cannot be replicated online. MEX is complementing shows with year-round digital engagement, including an upcoming online gifting hub, while maintaining exhibitions as the core business platform.