Latest News

“Max, Depot a
natural pairing”

Staples’s Sargent wishing for
a bigbox bundling bungle?

By Maxwell Murphy of Dow Jones

29 Apr’12

Staples CEO Ron Sargent sees consolidation of the OP market to 'two or less' bigbox operators. Interesting to see how this calamitous collision play might end up?

Read more: "OfficeMax, Office Depot a natural pairing"

Club’s self
promo mistake

Protectionist film omits
key customer benefits…

28 Apr’12 (Complete)

Office Club, the UK buying group, has released a nicely produced video, completely missing an opportunity to share the specialist services of its local retailers…

Read more: Office Club's self promotion

Has C a n o n
shot itself again?

Cameras and MFD growth,
can’t match print declines

27 Apr’12

Canon reported its Q1’12 financial results to 31 Mar’12. There are no signs that the management is addressing its old product portfolio with innovations for a paperless. printer-less and camera-less era…

Read more: Canon Q1'12 Financial Review

Papermakers’
optimising market

UPM report strong sales; IP

slower; and Stora Enso declining

27 Apr’12 (Complete)

The world’s leading papermakers International Paper (#1), Stora Enso (#2) and UPM Kymmene (#3) have now reported Q1’12 results. We analyse and comment:

Read more: Papermakers Q1'12 Financial Review

Ingram flat
and uninspired

European weakness dulls

steady progress worldwide

27 Apr’12
Ingram Micro, the world's largest technology distributor with $36Bn in annual sales, yesterday announced disappointing results for Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Ingram Micro Q1'12 Financial Review

Samsung’s
Galaxy stars

Smartphone sales soar

27 Apr’12

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of TVs and flat screen monitors, posted impressive results for Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Samsung Q1'12 Financial Review

Newell writes
faster growth

Impressive profitability gains

27 Apr’12
Newell Rubbermaid, leading maker of office products and consumer brands today announced stronger Q1’12 results ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Newell Rubbermaid Q1'12 Financial Review

People will forget what you say,
People may forget what you do

Irwin Helford’s
home truths

People will never forget the
way you made them feel

27 Apr’12 (Complete)

Yesterday, we met with the last of the 5 iconic reseller legends of the last 30 years, Irwin Helford, the creator of hugely successful Viking. Irwin shared his views on the inspirational power of the CEO, on culture, and long term market success…

Read more: Irwin Helford's home truths

M a y b e  I’m
a m a z e d  by

… A m a z o n

Supersonic sales of electronics
and business supplies lead drive

26 Apr’12 (Complete)

Amazon.com, the world’s #1 etailer today announced rapid and sustained sales growth for its Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12. We are running out of superlatives to describe this underestimated, phenomenon that his headed towards $60Bn in 2012...

Read more: Amazon's Q1'12 Financial Review

Iron Mountain 
flattening out

Steady storage offsets services

slide; expands into Brazil

26 Apr’12
Iron Mountain (IRM), the Boston based, global leader in information management services today reported steady growth results for Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Iron Mountain Q1'12 Financial Review

Logitech launch
tech accessories

CEO De Luca excited about

future of tablet and UC devices

26 Apr’12
Logitech International, the innovative leader in personal technology accessories yesterday announced improved, but lack lustre financial results for its Q4’12 ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Logitech Q4'12 Financial Review

Avnet’s advance
slowed by Europe

Confident growth outlook for 2012

26 Apr’12

Avnet Technology, a global leader in technology distribution and services reported Q3’12 financial results ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Avnet's Q3'12 Financial Review

Acme’s cutting
edge growth…

Innovation key to its sharpness

26 Apr’12

Acme United today announced impressive results for Q1’12 results to 31 Mar’12

Read more: Acme-United Q1'12 Financial Review

Staples boards
MPS express

New comprehensive cost
savings solution underway

25 Apr’12

Staples Advantage, the #1 OP giant’s business services division, today announced the launch of its new Managed Print Services (MPS) programme...

Read more: Staples boards the MPS express

The Apple business
iGeneration rocks!

The ultimate productivity tools
begin to dominate corporate culture

25 Apr’12

Apple today announced phenomenal financial results for its fiscal Q2’12 ended 31 `Mar’12

Read more: Apple Q2'12 Financial Review

United gain
market share

Strong FM supplies sales
offset slow tech and OP

24 Apr’12

United Stationers, the US#1 OP wholesaler, yesterday reported impoved Q1'12 results to 31 Mar’12, with positive growth plans for 2012

Read more: United Stationers - Q1'12 Financial Review

Amazon business
supply broadliner

#1etailer enters the fast growing
market as independents' #1 threat

24 Apr’12

The new AmazonSupply.com offers more than 500,000 items, including office products, tools, janitorial supplies and lab equipment...

Read more: Amazon the business supply broadliner

Imation immersed
in transformation

New security and storage investments not yet countering traditional product slide

24 Apr’12
Imation Corp. the former storage media giant, today reported a continuing deterioration in financial results for Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Imation Q1'12 Financial Review

Limited Lexmark
lag market again

New contracts and products
hype yet to deliver desired results

24 Apr’12

Lexmark International, today announced disappointing financial results for Q1’12 after the false dawn in 2011...

Read more: Lexmark Q1'12 Financial Review

3M Office
growth slows

DIY acquisitions cloud
real rate of progress

24 Apr’12

The mighty 3M today reported record sales and profits in Q1’12 to 31 Mar’12, driven by strong innovation and accelerating geographic sales expansion…

Read more: 3M Q1'12 Financial Review