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13 Aug 22

Updated: 18 Aug 22

H'ven awaits Viking
legend H e l f o r d

Top 10 OP mkt leader dies.
"It's how u make pple feel"

Sad news! OP industry legend Irwin Helford, famous for building Viking as an international mail order powerhouse, has died. Irwin, 88 yrs old, retired after he sold the business to Office Depot in 1998. He will long live in our hearts as one of the global market's true greats. Tributes from industry leaders here...Updated

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17 Aug 22

Updated: 17 Aug 22

Top 12 Business
Suppliers 2022

MDM review of Industrial,
Electronics, Hygiene mkts

Modern Distribution Mgmt (MDM) has published its latest annual review of Top Distributors. We list the leaders in MRO/industrial supplies, electronics, jansan and broadline business supplies. The OP bigboxes have slipped down the league as the disruptors take over leadership positions. We comment on the analysis...

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17 Aug 22

Updated: 17 Aug 22

Hybrid working
into  i n f i n i t y

How'll business suppliers
adapt to WFH service?

In June 2022 Advanced Workplace Associates (AWA) launched The AWA Hybrid Working Index to track the development of new working strategies and office attendance over time, across the world. We analyze the report and comment...

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17 Aug 22

Updated: 17 Aug 22

PFG-Vistar: food

service normalizes

Price hikes + Core-Mark
acq'n offset flat volume

Performance Food Group inc Vistar, the leading US food & beverage services wholesaler reported a huge organic sales increase in Q4'22 as businesses & restaurants returned towards 'normal'. The major acquisition of fresh food broadline leader boosted sales in addition to double digit price hikes 

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17 Aug 22

Updated: 17 Aug 22

Target's high ticket
ride slows to walk 

'Essentials' ordered online,
delivered same-day surge

$100Bn+ in sales, Target reported steady Q2'22 results from continuing buoyant 'essentials' demand, but was hit with serious mis-matched inventory issues. CEO Brian Cornell described the key positive, as strong online ordering in food, bevs & WFH categories from its personalised Shipt same-day delivery.

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17 Aug 22

Updated: 18 Aug 22

Lyreco lights
upon Denmark

"Sustainable delivery that

every workplace needs"

Global #5 office supplier Lyreco has announced its intention to acquire the leading dealer in Denmark. "It will expand the range of solutions... to deliver a better customer experience" said CEO Greg Lienard, who we speak with Tomorrow

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17 Aug 22

Updated: 18 Aug 22

Fast, Freight-Free
Delivery from WB!

Personalized Packaging
Service via Mason trucks

US#1 business supplies megadealer WBMason has progressively driven a 'One Source'  agenda over the past 15 years by expanding into hygiene, foodservice & packaging. Earlier this year it launched a comprehensive 'Shipping & Packaging Supplies' catalog. We talked to ceo Leo Meehan about progress and plans...Tomorrow

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16 Aug 22

Updated: 16 Aug 22

3M faces $100Bn
Vet earplug loss!

Claimants call for halt to
divis/buybacks until settled

3M faces more than $100Bn in losses because of lawsuits brought by veterans who blame hearing problems on faulty earplugs, says litigation consultant hired by lawyers suing the industrial conglomerate. "Flawed speculation" reacted the 3M spokesman

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16 Aug 22

Updated: 16 Aug 22

ULine freight
charges fraud?

Expensive shipping cost
scams in cahoots w/UPS?

ULine the giant $8.8Bn packaging supplier has doubled revenues and profits over the past 4yrs. Closer analysis finds that its shipping charges add an average of +25% to customer prices in cooperation with delivery partner UPS. We discussed trading practices with defecting customers, rivals and compare with Amazon 

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16 Aug 22

Updated: 16 Aug 22

Walmart weaker
despite price hikes

Ecom down to 11%/sales.
Sam's Club brighter results

Former #1 global retailer Walmart reported slower growth in Q2'23. It continued to ape Amazon's initiatives in vain, but did benefit from higher ticket prices, CEO Doug McMillon's market share comments appear complacent given its weaker ecommerce activity. 

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