ITC's Classmate bets on QR-code eduGAMES and premiumisation to stay relevant in digital-first India

ITC's stationery brand Classmate integrates QR-linked eduGAMES into notebooks and expands into pens and art supplies, chasing premiumisation in a Rs 16,500 crore market while fending off price-sensitive regional rivals across general trade, modern retail, e-commerce and quick commerce.

— Filed Tue, 14 Jul, 2026, 06:48 IST · Source Financial Express · BrandWagon · Updated

ITC's Classmate stationery brand navigates a digital-first India, integrating QR-code eduGAMES into notebooks and expanding into pens and art supplies while facing premiumisation challenges from price-sensitive regional players across general trade, modern retail, e-commerce and quick commerce.

Why this matters

Continues Classmate's recurring push into omni-channel, digital play and premiumisation to stay relevant in a screen-first India, now anchored by QR-code eduGAMES and category expansion into pens and art supplies.

Retail-brand signals accelerating, up 293800% QoQ.