ITC’s Classmate broadens digital learning and omnichannel play to defend relevance

Classmate is adding digital learning features, widening its stationery portfolio and strengthening Classmateshop.com distribution as hybrid learning reshapes India’s ₹16,500-crore stationery market and regional competitors pressure prices.

— FiledWed, 16 Sept, 2026, 07:18 IST·First seen Wed, 16 Sept, 2026, 07:18 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

ITC’s Classmate is expanding stationery, digital learning features and omnichannel distribution to retain relevance as India’s Rs 16,500 crore stationery market

Key facts

  • 2003
  • Rs 16,500 crore
  • FY25
  • Rs 219,81 crore
  • Rs 1,000 crore
  • 11 interactive challenges
  • NEP 2020
  • June 19, 2025

Why this matters

Target partnerships or acquisitions in education technology, student engagement and last-mile commerce that can deepen Classmate’s learning ecosystem and accelerate direct-to-consumer scale.

What to watch

  • Classmateshop.com assortment breadth, delivery coverage, repeat-purchase rates and school-season traffic growth.
  • Launches of paid digital features, subscription bundles or partnerships with edtech, tutoring or school networks.
  • Evidence that digital engagement converts into higher basket sizes, personalization demand or off-season stationery sales.
  • Competitor price cuts, retailer-margin pressure and private-label expansion in notebooks and writing supplies.
  • ITC commentary on D2C economics, stationery segment growth, digital-learning adoption and distribution investment.
  • Launch learning-led bundles linking notebooks, writing instruments, art supplies and digital study resources by grade and exam category.
  • Use Classmateshop.com to offer personalization, school-list fulfillment, bulk ordering and exclusive SKUs that avoid direct conflict with general trade partners.
  • Build loyalty and consented first-party data through study planners, practice content, rewards and repeat-purchase reminders.
  • Expand partnerships with schools, tutors, edtech platforms and regional retailers to make Classmate tools part of recurring learning workflows.
  • Defend entry-price points with value packs and localized assortments while reserving digital-enhanced products for premium margins.