Proficiency Post - breaking news and opinion in the office productivity market by Peter Frost

Peer power
performance

Is Pinnacle the best practice
model for OPS market success?

28 Jan’12
Pinnacle Affiliates recently added its 20^th member and founding chairman Dave Guernsey handed over his role to Kevin Johnson of Warehouse Direct. We speak to Kevin about the peer group’s plans… later today

Original brands
o v e r p o w e r
private labels

Manufacturer’s innovation and
marketing outsmart copycats

27 Jan’12

Q4’11 financial results are flooding in for the brand manufacturers and confirm the continuing positive growth trends that emerged in 2011…over the weekend

Read more: Original brands overpower private labels

Proficiency Profiles

P r o g r e s s i v e

OPS performers

Snapshots of Sun, Friends, Hurst,

Ontime, Pay-LESS and Economy

27 Jan’12 (Updated 12:00ET; 17:00UK)

In recent weeks we’ve been in touch with many US progressive resellers and will be visiting more in February. Make sure you learn from these movers and shakers…

Read more: Progressive OPS performers

Apple iPhone
pips Samsung

Patent battle still rages
between ex- supply partners

27 Jan’12

Apple overtook Samsung Electronics as the world's biggest smartphone maker in the fourth quarter thanks to robust iPhone 4S sales.

Read more: Apple iPhone pips Samsung

Samsung’s
Galaxy stars

Smartphone sales soar

27 Jan’12

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of TVs and flat screen monitors, posted impressive results for Q4’11 ended 31 Dec’11. Follows shortly

Read more: Samsung's Galaxy stars

Vistaprint’s
V i b r a n c y

Sales soar + etail acquisition

27 Jan’12

Vistaprint, the leading online provider of professional marketing products and services to small businesses once again reported impressive sales growth for its Q2’12 ended 31 Dec’11.

Read more: Vistaprint Financial Review Q2'12

Newell writes
faster growth

Impressive profitability gains...

positive response to InkJoy promotions

27 Jan’12
Newell Rubbermaid, leading maker of office products and consumer brands today announced stronger Q4’11 financial results.

Read more: Newell Q4'11 Financial Review

A v n e t ’s

advance abates

Confident growth outlook

in tech services for 2012

26 Jan’12

Avnet Technology, a global leader in technology distribution and services reported Q2’12 to 31 Dec’11

Read more: Avnet Q2'12 Financial Review

Staples sets up
new web centre

Multichannel moves to embrace
mobile and social networks

26 Jan’12

Staples #2 in ecommerce traffic worldwide, today said that it will build what it calls an Ecommerce Innovation Center in Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA

Read more: Staples sets up new web centre

MMMomentum
M a i n t a i n e d

Positive office sales growth

across the world

26 Jan’12

The mighty 3M today reported record sales and profits in Q4’11 to 31 Dec’11, driven by strong innovation and accelerating geographic sales expansion…

Read more: 3m Financial Review - Q4'11