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1 Jul 20

Updated: 1 Jul 20

Will SPR investors

invest biz supply?

Is Narrowline bargain buy
another dealer group play?

As PP has repeatedly reported, Genuine Parts (GPC) the $20Bn conglomerate has been actively trying to exit OP wholesaling since the failed Essendant merger 2yrs ago. Now after no takers, it has facilitated a sale to an 'Investor Group' led by The Supply Room's enterprising chief Yancey Jones. What's the plan? We speak with Yancey...Tomorrow

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1 Jul 20

Updated: 1 Jul 20

TechData takes in
big Cloud capital 

Apollo 

completes 

deal
drives wholesaler devt

Global #2 IT wholesaler TechData has completed its sale to VC Apollo Global Management after 8 months negotiation. CEO Rich Hume immediately confirmed a major investment programme in a cloud platform to support its growing base of VAR's and technology resellers 

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1 Jul 20

Updated: 2 Jul 20

Power's OP dealer
survey questions?

Narrow self-interest focus,
fails to address biz market

UK dealer group Office Power likes its market surveys. Why? Leading questions lean towards dealer recruitment. That's understandable, but it fails to address big opportunities in the broadline business supply market; the need for personalised managed productivity services; the MCommerce imperative; and the growing strength of the WFH market. We discuss... Updated

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30 Jun 20

Updated: 30 Jun 20

FedEx: faded,
falling off road?

Repeat rate rises disguise
market share loss to AMZN

FedEx CEO Fred 'Smug' Smith again reported bare bones Q4'20 results to 31May'20. It again suffered serious declines in sales & profits, inspite of 2x rate increases. 'Smug' continued his arrogance towards the media and losing out to Amazon, USPS & UPS with an outdated, inferior service model

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30 Jun 20

Updated: 30 Jun 20

Steelcase stung
badly by Covid 

Provides reinvention plans
to max hygiene & safety

Steelcase, the global leader in collaborative furnishings, reported a huge drop in demand caused by the Covid WFH lockdown in Q1'21 end 31 May'20. Admirably, CEO Jim Keane's team reopened factories quickly and provided clients & dealers with support to reopen offices safely and productively. 

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30 Jun 20

Updated: 1 Jul 20

SPR's wholesale
withdrawal wrap

Genuine Parts offloads to
big dealers' investor group

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) has completed the sale of SPRichards US operations to an 'Investor Group' of large dealers. This follows its Canada exit in Jan and the long expected withdrawal from OP wholesaling since 2016. Moreover, it sold its hygiene and safety operations to a venture capital group. We provide more detailed insight...tomorrow

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29 Jun 20

Updated: 29 Jun 20

Herman Miller

seating sinks

Covid: Throws in kitchen
sink to maximize losses

Herman Miller, the leading upscale furniture maker, reported a huge loss and sales shortfall in Q4'20. Disappointingly, CEO Andi Owen's report was less than transparent, disguising we feel, true performance and throwing in the 'kitchen-sink' to magnify losses during Covid. 

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29 Jun 20

Updated: 29 Jun 20

Will Facebook fold
under pressure? 

Brand ad exodus extends:
Starbux, Clorox, M/soft, HP

The Facebook fall out is getting serious. The boycott of advertisers on social media is gaining momentum. Over the weekend Starbucks withdrew, today Clorox, Microsoft & HP with the powerhouse P&G expected to confirm soon. CEO Mark Zuckerberg's tolerance of misinformation and hate speech is under severe pressure

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29 Jun 20

Updated: 29 Jun 20

Vistaprint vilified
for #BLM blunder

CEO's incredulous excuse:
Clients' orders mixed up!?

Vistaprint CEO Robert Keane has issued a personal apology after a customer who ordered #BlackLivesMatter posters also received 'All Lives Matter' prints in their delivery, resulting in a social media backlash. The CEO's explanation re-automated systems error carried zero credibility 

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29 Jun 20

Updated: 30 Jun 20

Wake Up to
a 2030 Vision!

Will 2020 events accelerate
'Officeless' and 'Touchless'
worklife confluence trends

NYTimes columnist Ross Douthat opined yesterday "The suspended time of the pandemic has put history on fast-forward". Is he right? We discuss his 2030 vision and how the business supply industry is pivoting to what may become the future marketplace situation.

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