Details

27 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

ISG's 'Buy Local'
launch. But why?

Folksy film lacks benefits in
saving time, money, space

Independent Suppliers Group (ISG) has launched a "Buy Local' promo video of admirable quality, but lacks user benefits in the 'new normal' business supply market. Where is the 'one source' broadline business supply range inc. Hypac? A user-friendly webstore? The promise of same-day delivery to the growing community of hybrid/WFH customers to match Amazon? We analyse...Tomorrow

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26 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

MacFarlane packs
softer sales punch 

Declining volume & prices
saved by acqu'ns pipeline

UK packaging giant MacFarlane Group reported slowing growth in H1'23 as inflation abates, including key protective packaging acquisitions. CEO Peter Atkinson commented on progress, market prospects and details of its latest acquisition and pipeline...

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26 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Halting Hygiene

market normalizes

Volume & prices weaker
Who's winning mkt share?

Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers & brands have pivoted into hygiene, safety, food service, packaging & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q2'23 analysis shows volumes declined in a weak market. Updated & Complete

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23 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Paper usage more
green than digital?

Rowzie's sustainability case
for paper ignores transport

Kathi Rowzie, President of Two Sides North America, makes the sustainability case for paper. She argues that electronic communications mine diminishing resources and cause mounting e-waste. But is Rowzie ignoring the high carbon emission cost of delivering, recycling and processing heavy paper communications? 

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23 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

SPOT to b u r s t
& b l e e d  again?

Paragon's 'Lipstick' version
to fail from no investment?

Paragon Group acquired the remains of Spicers wholesale business; Officeteam and dying Depot's contract business in recent years. Despite reports to the contrary from renamed OTGroup, we understand all is not well, as sales continue to sink and suppliers experience long delays in receiving payments. Will Paragon pull the plug like SPOT's previous owner? Updated

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22 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Lowes slows down

from WFH highs

Losing market share vs
HDepot & Ace H/Ware?

Lowes the US #2 $100Bn sales WFH improvement supplier reported Q2'23 financial results. CEO Marvin Ellison commented on a slower than expected performance except recovering PRO Services segment serving SMB-trades people, but made no mention on losing market share to Home Depot and Ace 

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22 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Office360 chief's
OP market insights

Leading US dealer opens
up on strong sales growth

Yesterday, we interviewed Steve Nahmias, ceo of Indianapolis based Office360, one of the leading independent business supply resellers in the US Midwest region. We discussed market trends, the future of  independent OP dealers, bigboxes, Amazon, wholesalers and the remarkablr progress and plans for his family owned business. Updated

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21 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Zoom's boom in
vcoms normalizes

Microsoft, Google & Cisco
still chasing cloud upstart

Video collaboration specialist Zoom's ceo Eric Yuan, rapid progress flattened in Q2'24 as the WFH growth slowed but yielded higher profits. The BIG question continued: how can it reinvent itself, to increase its lead or will Microsoft's TEAMS overtake? 

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21 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Imperial  i m p e l s
Hypac rollup race

Acquisition #69 & 11th
in '23 sparks VC action

VC Advent owned Imperial Dade, made its 69th acquisition in its roll-up of regional hygiene, food service & packaging suppliers in US-Canada. Will this latest play in Ohio re-ignite the takeover stakes with newly VC empowered combo Envoy Solutions andBradyIFS? Full details, analysis and comment here...

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21 Aug 23

Updated: 28 Aug 23

Printer plunge
p r o l o n g s . . .

IDC Q2'23 Report confirms
paper-printless office dead

The OPOcalypse has accelerated post Covid. IDC.'s latest report confirms printer demand in Europe's leading countries is in secular decline despite protestations of inflation fuelled makers like HP. We analyse the country by country, brand by brand report and comment....