Depot's divide
Beleaguered bigbox ODP Corp (ex-Depot-Max) ceo Gerry 'Smudger' Smith, continues to 'shift deckchairs on a sinking ship' with moves aimed to distract from resurrecting a business that has now lost a $1Bn in sales in each year of his 4 year tenure. Now he plans to split Depot in two....??
Redefining hybrid
Google has a plan for the future of work including privacy robots and balloon walls. The company that helped popularize open office plans is trying to reinvent workspaces to cope with workplace sensibilities changed by Covid...
Will FTC move to
Enforcement against 'dark patterns' has been non-existent by Federal Trade Commission under its rules prohibiting “unfair or deceptive acts.” But unfair and deceptive acts are hard to identify, precisely as practitioners' intended. When will authorities introduce rules to address these egregious tricks and curtail bad practices?
Shopify spurs
Shopify, the specialist MCommerce platform for business supply dealers & entrepreneurs grew 110% in Q1'21 with 1M+ independent partners. It has reinforced marketing prowess with distribution services. Here are case studies on how it enables brand makers & resellers to compete with Amazon
How to design
Many companies see the appeal of combining office life with work-from-home (WFH) flexibility. How to strike the right balance can be less clear. Academics from MIT Sloan School of Management and Stanford University provide their views on how to best facilitate hybrid working...
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Staples senior
Staples Business Advantage's corporate supply division has suffered from the Covid induced lockdown this last 15 months, just like main competitors. Now we understand that Chief Commercial Officer Joanne Harris has departed along with some other senior executives....
New larger dealer
No smoke with out fire? PP Sources inform that a group of larger US OP dealers (up to 20) have considered acquisition of the beleaguered bigbox ODP Corp's (Depot BS division) $4.5Bn in sales, delivery business. We await details of backers' names in terms of funding and wholesaler support, if indeed it proceeds?
Print/papermakers
Most leading OP, Paper & Printermakers have now reported Q1'21 results. Printer paper is down 70%+ since 2008; another -15%+ in Q1. The shift to hygiene & packaging products is huge. We analyse results to date inc. Veritiv, Domtar, Sappi & Cascade. Mondi, Ricoh & Brother; & Konica 14May; Navigator 28May. Updated daily
Healthy Hygiene
The #Paperless #Officeless #Touchless future is happening bigtime! Now its #1 business supply category alongside technology. Business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers & MSP's have pivoted to sell customers PPE, hygiene supplies, WFH tech and wellness services.. We analyse Q1'21 results to date (almost complete) inc. Domtar, Sappi, Resolute, Veritiv & Cascades Updated daily
Ricoh reacts to
Leading printer brand maker Ricoh is planning its future under the 'Resurgent' tag. Given sliding demand in its core printer sales, can it truly transform itself into a 3D printing, MPS & workspace design powerhouse? Slow progress so far...
Brother bounces
Brother International the $6Bn document services & printermaker, reported a commendable recovery in Q4'21 primarily in the Europe & Asia markets as the Covid crisis eased; and WFH activities spurred growth e.g. sewing machines and color printing
Domtar doomed &
Leading US papermaker Domtar Corporation recovered somewhat from steep declines in Q1'2. Complacent ceo John Williams is closing capacity and repurposing mills for packaging. The Personal Care division has been sold, now a major Canadian rival papermaker owned by Asia Pulp & Paper is interested in a takeover?
Wayfair's wonder
Wayfair, the $14Bn in sales US/UK home & office furnishings etailer, continued to report blockbuster sales growth in Q1'21. The Covid induced WFH lockdown has proved a wonderful sales boost to business customers updating home working facilities
Iron Mountain:
Iron Mountain ex-global leader in document services reported flat Q1'21results. CEO Bill Meaney's opaque and minimalistic reporting seems geared to disguise its mediocrity with reactionary late moves into digital & cloud storage.
Insight losing
Insight Group CEO Ken Lamneckcontinued to report declining organic sales in Q1'21. The group lags leading IT resellers e.g. CDW, Compucenter, Softcat & Synnex. Can it really become a serious competitor whilst it focuses on integration?
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