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26 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

Resilient resellers
v dis-conn-ected
dealers in denial

The business supply future
BeyondCovid;OPocalypse

Covid unmasked some resilient resellers who parried the pandemic and pivoted quickly to essential supply in WFH hygiene & tech. It also highlighted the weakness of trad dealers that were stuck with narrow OP ranges; obsolete B2B marketing methods; B2U ignorance and slow service models. We discuss the best and worst practices. This weekend

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26 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

3M moves direct
v dodgy dealers

Partners w/SalesForce to
manage WFH reps w/CRM

Covid uncovered so much unethical counterfeiters and private label resellers of 3M's PPE, masks & respirators that it has invoked a counter attacking strategy. CEO Mike Roman is now working with Salesforce to launch 'PPE for the People' campaign to enable 3M sales teams to sell direct to consumers

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26 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

Print/papermakers
plunge prolongs

#OPocalypse: Diminished
demand+economy+Covid

Most leading OP, Paper & Printermakers will report Q4'20 results over the next 2 weeks. Printer paper is down 60%+ since 2008; another -20%+ in Q4. The shift to hygiene & packaging products is huge. We analyse Q4 results to date inc. HP, Veritiv, Mondi, Cascades & Verso Paper Updated daily 

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26 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

Bauman's new
Office World

How the group will adapt
to WFH/hybrid working &
the fast B2C market shift

Matthias Baumann ceo's Office World Holdings (Bolligen, Switzerland) recently merged with Offix to form the new $400m Office World Group. We interviewed Baumann about progress and plans for the consolidated group of retailers, wholesale business suppliers & MPS providers. Weekend

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25 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

HP inks slight

print recovery

PC demand improves
in WFH/Edu markets

Old tech giant, HP Inc's printer & ink sales decline turned around in Q1'21. Meanwhile PC demand was strong fueled by the WFH demand. Can long serving complacent CEO Enrique Lores really reinvent the fading force beyond Covid? 

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25 Feb 21

Updated: 25 Feb 21

Domtar reorgs
ready for sale?

Will suitor be PCA/Boise,
KPP or Finnish paper giant

US #1 papermaker Domtar shares rose 4.3% today after speculation that new management changes & severance plans mean it is preparing for a sale. PP reported on this rumor last month after ceo John Williams' illness, expecting a consolidation approach from PCA/Boise or a major European/Japanese giant...

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25 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

CCL label sales'

healthy recovery

Essentials market demand
offsets weak Avery badges

CCL Industries, the $5Bn in sales specialist labelmaker, reported a commendable recovery in Q4'20 with Covid 'essentials' market channel sales unable to offset non-essential market collapse inc. Avery business/events market. 

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25 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

Dell & VMWare win
SaaS market share

WFH/Learning networking,
Cloud partnerships strong

Dell Technologies reported declines in core servers and storage categories in Q4'21, but a return to profitability. VMWare continues to be the consistent high growth performer, responding to coporates need for WFH IT/SaaS networking and security solutions

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25 Feb 21

Updated: 26 Feb 21

Best Buy booms!
WFH online surge

Click'n'Collect boosts tech,
PC's, tablets & VA devices

Best Buy, the $44Bn US electronics retailer reported a blockbuster sales performance in Q4'21 ended 31 Jan. CEO Corie Barry's team recovered from long store closures in Q2 with a powerful mix of high WFH tech demand, online ordering and curbside collection

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25 Feb 21

Updated: 25 Feb 21

Keurig brews hot
at home; biz cold

Dr. Pepper brands' strong
'Drink well, Do good' plan

Keurig Dr. Pepper, the $11Bn beverage giant confirmed progress with its house of beverage brands in Q4'20 results. Meanwhile, core WFH coffee results were strong even though hurt by the Covid hit business market

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