In a letter sent to printers today Spicers has confirmed it will raise prices by between seven and nine percent on July 23, while KW Doggett sent its letter out last week saying rises of up to 7.5 per cent will come into effect on July 30. BJ Ball will send out a letter early next week saying that it will rise prices for coated and uncoated paper and boartd by 8 per cent, and all other stocks by 7.5 per cent, from August 1.

The merchants are blaming  increased freight and infrastructure costs for the bulk of the rise. Rohan Dean from Spicers says it has to raise prices to maintain service and supply. He says, “We are all in the same position, volumes are down, costs are up.” Simon Doggett, managing director of KW Doggett says, “Currency is only a minor contributor, it is mainly ocean and inland freight, and increasing general business costs.” Tony Bertrand, marketing manager at BJ Ball says, “Exchange rates, increased freight and business costs, in a softening market have all contributed to the need to adjust the prices.

The rise in paper costs will add about three per cent to the cost of a printed job. It is the second major rise in the past six months, although prices have trended downwards since the start of the year.

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