Systemax
s l i d i n g 

B2B sales slowdown;
retail sales in freefall

1 May’13
Systemax, the tech-direct marketer including Misco, CompUSA, Circuit City and Tiger Direct brands, reported disappointing financial results for Q1’13 ended 31 Mar’13

Read more: Systemax Q1'13 Financial Review

Proficiency Profile

Designing offices
to inspire harmony

Steelcase’s Workspace Futures'

Donna Flynn on collaboration

30 Apr’13
Human nature changes slowly, but the way we work and the idea of the ‘office’, changes fast. Here’s how to harness those opposing forces for a happier workforce…

Read more: Proficiency Profile - Steelcase's Donna Flynn, Workspace Futures

Epson’s relief
from decline

Printer/ink sales slowing as
US/Europe demand stalls

30 Apr’13
Epson, the leading printer and visual presentation products manufacturer experienced a slight recovery from its declining results in Q4’13 ended 31 Mar’13

Read more: Epson Q4'13 Financial Review

Deluded Depot a

diminished force

Blind Board whitewash 

weaknesses, misunderstands

competitors' market moves

30 Apr’13 (Complete)

Office Depot, the beleaguered bigbox OP reseller continued its slide towards $10Bn sales and is losing market share rapidly, according to Q1’13 results. The Board again proved thay are removed from market reality...

Read more: Office Depot Q1'13 Financial Review

Miller acquires
fabric maker

“Natural and complementary fit”

29 Apr’13
Herman Miller has announced it will be acquiring NY based Maharam Fabric Corp. today

Read more: Herman MIller acquires fabric maker

Georgia Pacific
buys Buckeye

Cellulose maker is a good fit
with its specialist divisions

29 Apr’13
Georgia-Pacific LLC, the U.S. paper and pulp producer controlled by the Koch brothers, last week agreed to buy Buckeye Technologies

Read more: Georgia Pacific buys Buckeye Tech.

Proficiency Profile

Blazing a trail
to $20m by 2020

Blaisdell’s: A family business
fired up and ready to roll

29 Apr’13 (Updated)
Last Monday we visited the offices of stockless San Leandro reseller Blaisdell’s. Under magnetic Margee Witt’s leadership the company has grown 20% in the last year and well on its way to reaching $20m in sales by 2020. Tomorrow

Read more: Proficiency Profile: Blaisdell's

Frost on Boston

Street Seats
Design Award

Museum Challenge attracts
170 entries; 20 finalists

29 Apr’13 (Complete)
Yesterday we attended the Design Museum’s Street Seats Challenge at Fort Point, Boston. The creativity on show was amazing and we took a look from the mobile worker’s ergonomic viewpoint...

Read more: Design Museum Boston's Street Seats challenge

Samsung release

rugged GalaxyS4

Waterproof and dustproof

version for tough conditions

28 Apr’13

Samsung Electronics is planning to launch a new eight-inch tablet and a new smartphone built to withstand harsh environments this summer...

Read more: Samsung release rugged Galaxy S4 smartphone

Internet World 2013:

The Big Data Show Report

Marketing process

not just campaigns

How Big Data help brands reach

users with relevant messages

27 Apr’13

At last week’s Internet World convention at Earl’s Court London, mobility, multichannel marketing and Big Data were the main focus

Read more: Internet World 2013 & Big Data Show Report

Impressive 

Vistaprint

Double-digit sales growth

and profitability maintained 

26 Apr’13 

Vistaprint, the leading online provider of professional marketing products and services to small businesses once again reported impressive sales growth for its Q1’13 ended 31 Mar’13 

Read more: Vistaprint Q3'13 Financial Review

Acco market
share sliding

Worldwide sales of paper


based; IT accessories dive

26 Apr’13
Acco Brands, the leading OP manufacturer, reported a serious decline in sales and profitability for Q1’13 ended 31 Mar’13. It needs to respond more rapidly to the mobility market... 

Read more: Acco Financial Review Q1'13

Ingram’s Bright


Point sparkles


Mobility moves intensify 


global growth prospects…

26 Apr’13


Ingram Micro, the world's largest technology distributor with $38Bn in annual sales, accelerated its positive growth results in Q1’13 ended 30 Mar’13

Read more: Ingram Micro Q1'13 Financial Review

Samsung soars

as Galaxy stars

Stellar sales and profits

growth from smartphones 

26 Apr’13

Samsung Electronics reported soaring sales of smartphones and increased profits for its Q1’13 financial period to 31 Mar’13

Read more: Samsung Financial Review Q1'13

Amazon flows fast
under the radar

Innovative sales of technology

and business services lead drive 

25 Apr’13
Amazon.com, the world’s #1 etailer today maintained its mighty sales momentum in Q1’13 ended 31 Mar’13. We are running out of superlatives to describe this innovative icon and stealth phenomenon that has grown 3x to $61Bn in 4 years, without independent dealers reacting

Read more: Amazon Q1'13 Financial Review

Avnet’s sales
trend slowing

US/EMEA regions demand
declines getting deeper

25 Apr’13
Avnet Technology, a $25Bn in sales, global leader in technology distribution and services reported declining sales and profitability for Q3’13 ended 31 Mar’13 especially in its technology solutions business.

Read more: Avnet Financial Review Q3'13

UPM under
pressure

Losing market share in
declining paper market

25 Apr’13
UPM Kymmene the world’s #3 papermaker again reported declining sales in a market where volumes and prices are sliding

Read more: UPM Financial Review - Q1'13

Logitech losing

streak lengthens

PC demand dives; CEO Darrell

may have limited growth options

25 Apr’13

Logitech International, the innovative leader in personal technology accessories today announced declining results in Q4’13 ended 31 Mar’13

Read more: Logitech Q4'13 Financial Review

3M office
not worthy

Consumer division growth
driven by DIY/health care

25 Apr’13
The mighty 3M today reported solid sales and profits in Q1’13 to 31 Mar’13 slowed down by weakness in European markets

Read more: 3M Financial Review Q1'13

Managed Services…

From DROPS
to P R O P S!

Journey from print products to
managed productivity services

25 Apr’13 (Updated)

Whilst it is sad to see the demise of the printer paper and cartridge market as exemplified at ITEX’13; it was exciting to envision the shift towards productivity services promoted by Continuum and Docuware. We explore the opportunities for OP dealers…

Read more: Managed Services: from DROPS to PROPS