Details

17 Sep 23

Updated: 20 Sep 23

AMZN routes FedEx,
UPS shipping rates

Top carriers' 'cartel' practices
exposed by logistics leader

The continuous 'cartel culture' practised by FedEx and UPS over the last 10 years looks under serious threat from the new logistics leader Amazon. Their annual +6-8% shipping rates increases accelerated to double digits during Covid. penalising businesses and users.  Amazon's straightforward lower rates and fast claims resolution are expected to be a big winner through Christmas

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16 Sep 23

Updated: 18 Sep 23

OPI: Obsolete,
Pointless, Insular

New era, Old perspective
Useless impractical stuff

The OPI prospectus for its The Business (& Workplace) Supplies Industry to 2028 report will tackle the key forces such as digitization, hybrid working, sustainability and macroeconomisc. Where's it been for the past 10yrs, when questions raised, have been answered by progressive makers, distributors, dealers and Amazon, the #1 business supply wholesaler? All reported regularly in Proficiency Post & Megatrends 2023? We critique... Updated

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15 Sep 23

Updated: 18 Sep 23

Supermkt shames
Shrinkflationists...

Unilever, PepsiCo, Nestle
named as cheating culprits 

During Covid the big international supermarket chains inc. Walmart, Tesco, Carrefour came under critical consumer group pressure for over-inflating prices. Many diverted attention to the source of the problem: the brand makers who boosted profits by over hiking price increases and/or reducing pack sizes stealthily aka 'greedflation'. Carrefour has decided to expose the cheaters....

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14 Sep 23

Updated: 18 Sep 23

Buffett cuts losses
on huge HP stake

Has legendary investor seen
through ceo's hollow plans?

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has sold about 5.5 million shares of HP Inc. undoing part of what has been a large, unsuccessful investment in the maker of personal computers and printers. We never understood why such a savvy investor could see a profitable future in such a tech relic boosted only by price hikes on falling volumes?

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13 Sep 23

Updated: 20 Sep 23

Amazon v FTC:
Beware the split?

Markets fear separation 
of retail, AWS & logistics 

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13 Sep 23

Updated: 13 Sep 23

ISGroup's Gentile
successor named

Hygiene group leader
to drive growth agenda

US #1 OP dealer cooperative Independent Suppliers Group (ISG) in April announced that CEO Mike Gentile would step down on 1Jan'24. The group just announced the appointment of his successsor whose previous experience with Essendant and Network Distribution make him an ideal candidate to drive the major growth categories in the HyPac market....

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12 Sep 23

Updated: 12 Sep 23

Alibaba allchange
mngment moves

CEO Zhang quits. New
younger team takeover 

Alibaba's shares fell 3% after its outgoing CEO Daniel Zhang will also step down as chairman and head of its Cloud Intelligence unit. It will focus on two main themes going forward, "user first" and "AI-driven" according to new CEO Eddie Wu Yongming. We analyze moves and plans....

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12 Sep 23

Updated: 12 Sep 23

Stratasys r e j e c t s
3DSystems new bid

Market maelstrom reflects
why growth is secondary 

3D Printing leader Stratasys has received a revised offer from #1 competitor 3D Systems. The 3D market bubble has truly burst, yet management is in denial, with optimism rife in spite of reality. Meanwhile, both are making acquisitions to deflect from organic decline with continued losses.

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11 Sep 23

Updated: 12 Sep 23

Apple main event's

'Wonderlust' theme

iPhone 15 & Watch S9
get earthy makeovers

Apple the ultimate personal productivity tool and services designer is expected to debut a plethora of new items for the market, including a new iPhonea and Watch. Apple has titled their 2023 event "Wonderlust", leaving people questioning the name of the technology giant's showcase night. Report later today

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11 Sep 23

Updated: 12 Sep 23

Smucker beats off
big food bidders

Buys cupcake maker in rush
to cash in on Covid profits

J.M. Smucker,  the US beverage & food service brands supplier, confirmed it will buy Hostess Brands in a $5.6 billion deal, as major U.S. packaged food companies look to expand their brand portfolios with Covid-era fortunes dwindling. Big Brand makers General Mills, Mondelez. PepsiCo and Hershey were reportedly also interested in the Twinkies maker. We analyse th deal...