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31 Aug 23

Updated: 1 Sep 23

D e l l  down from
weak PC market 

Infrastructure mkt strong.
'Anywhere' network drive

Dell Technologiesthe $100Bn tech giant, reported a weaker sales and profits performance again in Q2'24. Whilst the consumer PC market slowed down, the infrastucture solutions group made strong headway in servers and networking. Results analysis complete

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31 Aug 23

Updated: 3 Sep 23

Brand Bylines:
Brilliant v Brainless?

Meaningless messages
miss customer appeal

People love brands, especially memorable ones that have a relevant purposeful byline. Why then are there so many meaningless taglines that are production led and boastful? Surely, the objective is to attarct customer engagement and loyalty? We review the leading brand bylines in the huge broadline business supply market. How does your brand rate? Updated

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30 Aug 23

Updated: 30 Aug 23

Salesforce soars
towards $35Bn

CRM king elevates cloud
despite exec departures 

CRM #1 systems provider Salesforce's ceo Mark Benioff enthused about growth momentum trends in Q2'24. Wall St sentiment has transformed... shares up +60% YTD, with concerns over the executive exodus and activist activity forgotten. The lone wolf leader seems unfazed...

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29 Aug 23

Updated: 30 Aug 23

HPE  H o n e s t

Pace Eventually

Smug ceo delivers from
strong Greenlake platform

Tech relic HP Enterprise ceo Antonio Neri is substantiated some of his much hyped progress in Q3'23. It's starting to drive market share growth. The embryonic Aruba SaaS cloud and Greenlake platforms are becoming real growth catalysts. Can it sustain growth through 2024?

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29 Aug 23

Updated: 30 Aug 23

Haughty HP inks 

PCs/Print plunge

Loses mkt share v Lenovo
Printer+toner volumes sink

Old tech giant, HP Inc's printer & ink sales volume continued to decline double digits in Q3'23, mitigated by inflationary price hikes. PC demand sank losing market share to Dell & Lenovo. Can complacent ceo Enrique Lores really reinvent the fading force whilst resorting to protectionism. Full report analysis here

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29 Aug 23

Updated: 31 Aug 23

Brady brings in
Envoy Solutions

Let the VCap battle
for HyPac mkt start

VC Kelso's BradyIFS (ceo Ken Sweder) has confirmed 6 months of speculation that it will merge with Envoy Solutions after owner FEMSA decided to sell back in February.. We look forward with excitement to the leadership race for le $50Bn US HyPac distribution market, including Bunzl, Grainger, Uline, CNG and Veritiv. Watch this space....will it be renamed Brandvoy or Brendvoy?

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29 Aug 23

Updated: 29 Aug 23

Best Buy: bounce
back  b a u l k e d

Focus: sameday service &
tech services development

Best Buy, the $44Bn+ electronics retailer reported declining sales & profits in Q2'24 hit by much slower demand.for computing, appliances and home theatre. CEO Corie Barry is focused on improving user experience and delivery speed to compete with leaders Amazon & Target. Results analysis complete

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29 Aug 23

Updated: 31 Aug 23

Let HyPac market
h e a t  compete!

Imperial,Envoy-Brady,CNG
Bunzl,Veritiv,Grainger war

Last week's announcement that PE firms Kelso & Warburg were combining to acquire Envoy and probably merge with BradyIFS (Brandvoy?) looks certain to ignite the battle for the $50Bn US hygiene, packaging and foodservice (HyPac) distribution market. The rapid consolidation reminds of the 90's burgeoning OP market. Deja-vu all over again? Who will emerge as winners? We discuss....Complete

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29 Aug 23

Updated: 30 Aug 23

Bunzl bundles
up a dozen acqs

Adds $50m sales: Safety
& tools Poland & Holland

Bunzl, the $14Bn international business supplier today announced it has acquired 2 resellers in the hygiene and industrial supply markets in Poland and the Netherlands. CEO Frank van Zanten commented on the acquisitions, 12 year to date; and the future pipeline..

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28 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

3M mashed by
massive damages

Corruption, faulty earplugs,
PFAS penalties total $22Bn

3M has agreed to pay $12Bn to settle lawsuits relating to defective veteran's earplugs, and corrupt practices in China. Add these to the PFAS $10Bn pollution penalties agreed in June makes a massive hole in their finances. How much longer will shareholders tolerate ceo Mike Roman's mistakes and lack of transparency?