BOSS/Gfk study
beyond parody? 

OP Industry needs growth
support not graveyard data

The BOSS/Gfk Panelmarket report is out tracking product categories in the Office & Stationery sector. This micromarket data appears to completely ignore that the macro market is down over -50% since 2019. 'Fiddling while the home burns' is an obvious observation? What members want is more market analysis of the huge opportunities in broadline business supply. Full story here, first...updated

Motion to move on
Genuine separation

Ex-Grainger exec to lead NAPA
as activist Elliott drives split 

Genuine Parts ex owner of SPRichards announced plans to split up its NAPA automotive and Motion industrial supply businesses in February. NAPA will be led by former Grainger executive Court Carruthers, who joined the board last year as part of a settlement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Full story here, first ...

Imperial Brady's
Tillis talks straight

ISSA interview on history,
vision,culture+growth plan

ISSA's media chief Jeff Cross just interviewed Imperial Brady's ceo Jason Tillis. We listened in to the history of the growth of Imperial, the merger with Brady last year and Jason's vision, culture, values and goals for the $10Bn in sales and 13,000 employees, organisation. We discuss what was covered and what was not mentioned in a fascinating 'Straight Talk'. Full analysis here, first,....complete

The Hopeless Half
source 'Holesaler? 

Strategic v Vulture ownership
commitment decides success

Over the last 10yrs the number of broadline business supply wholesalers has diminished in support and commitment to the reseller channel e.g. Essendant, SPR (pre-CNG) in the US; Spicers and Exertis in the UK. As a result the reseller population has collapsed. Looking forward what to expect? Will the vulture owned VOW survive? Will CNG inspire SPR mk2? Full story here, first...complete

ExaClaire explains
continued decline

Paper and Stationery maker
reports parallel market drop

Exacompta Clairefontaine the French based paper and stationery maker reported disappointing H1'26 results. Secular market decline and poor 'back to school' demand exacerbated its future survival. Can Francois Nusse turn around the -20% decline since 2020? Full story here, first...

Is 'Working From
Home' Working?

Do bosses agree/disagree

 
flexibility boosts productivity?

The evidence about whether flexible working improves productivity is mixed, but many businesses have already made up their mind. The UK government wants to make it harder for employers to block flexible working requests, with hybrid work becoming the norm. We discuss the findings of TheTimes' economics-business editors team...

Softcat secures
1st US acquisition 

“Capability, scale, culture,
a compelling combination"

Leading UK IT solutions provider Softcat's ceo Graham Charlton tells CRN about its 2nd acquisition and its first in the US. "It  took a 5yr search screening multiple targets. This was the right fit given the combination of capability and culture” he says. Full story here, first including what's next...

Stiff'emall Sycamore
reneges WARN Act

Vulture closes Essendant
robs employees 30days pay

As ProficiencyPost reported exclusively on 3 Aug'26 vulture Sycamore confirmed closure of Essendant stating it would pay 60 days WARN Act severance to 15Oct for 400 employees. On 27Aug, it announced shutdown on 1Sep, plus an illegal 30 days cut of employees pay and benefits. We understand a law firm is moving forward with a class action to force rectification. Full story here, first...

AMZN accelerates
same day delivery 

'Project Mercury' would grow
FC's to 1000 hubs by 2031

Amazon is preparing a major expansion of its same-day delivery infrastructure in the US. Project Mercury, would grow fulfillment to more than 1,000 local hubs by 2031, up from 85 currently. Meanwhile, old competitors like Staples are promoting slow, inept service on half the business supply range? Full story here, first...

WHSmith offside
as US stores slide

Messy customer svce fails to
dampen airport convenience 

Troubled international news and stationery retailer WHSmith reported a flat trading update for FY'26. New exec chairman Leo Quinn said “Solid peak trading and initial self-help to deliver full year profits in line with expectations" Really disappointing comment? Full analysis here, first...