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23 Aug 21

Updated: 24 Aug 21

Remanufacturing,
Recycling future?

Printing paper process shd
be first elimination priority

The GreenAlliance thinktank says the UK could create 320,000 jobs through increased remanufacturing and recycling. The paper & compatible print industry has interpreted this as good news. But, surely the first priority is for users to pivot to digital communications and use less paper and ink, thereby minimizing the recycling process entirely?

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21 Aug 21

Updated: 22 Aug 21

Bouncebackability
Index leaderboard

Q2'21 results analysis show
healthy growth v laggards

Reports are flowing in fast for business supply players in Q2'21 and predictably show strong positive growth v Q2'20, but how do they compare with the pre-Covid 'norm'? Proficiency Index reports the leaderboard of vendors, wholesalers and dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance v Q2'19. Updated daily... Full commentary inc. Target, Walmart, Home Depot, PFG/Vistar

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20 Aug 21

Updated: 20 Aug 21

Dyson call: "Go
Back to Office!"

Competitiveness will
suffer from WFH wave

Workers must be "unequivocally" told by Government leaders to return to the office or the US/UK will fall behind its global competitors, top international innovator Sir James Dyson has warned. "Sharing of knowledge is imperilled by the isolation of a WFH culture borne out of Covid contingency plans," he wrote.

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19 Aug 21

Updated: 19 Aug 21

PFG/Vistar: food

to biz rebounds

Major fresh food provider
bought to boost sales 50%

Performance Food Group, the leading US food & beverage services wholesaler reported a huge organic sales increase in Q4'21 as businesses/restaurants returned towards normal. The major acquisition of fresh food broadline leader will boost sales by 50% in 2022. 

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18 Aug 21

Updated: 18 Aug 21

Samsonite saved

as travel returns

US market slow hit by
tariffs, scandal & Covid

Global luggage leader Samsonite after a spectacular fall from travel bans in 2020 recovered lost ground in H1'21. Can new CEO Kyle Gendreau carry forward after the fraud investigation scandals of 2020?

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18 Aug 21

Updated: 18 Aug 21

Target's terrific

high ticket to ride 

Success! 'Essentials' order
online, delivered same-day

$100Bn+ in sales Target, reported terrific Q2'21 results from continuing strong 'essentials' demand. CEO Brian Cornell described key success factors as: higher traffic, ticket values and maintained online ordering in food, bevs & WFH improvement categories from personalised Shipt same-day delivery!

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18 Aug 21

Updated: 18 Aug 21

The E-waste
recycle route

'Reverse Logistics'
service for resellers

“Reverse logistics”—the process of handling returned merchandise—has become increasingly complex. Resellers have to determine whether each returned item is fit to go back on shelves, can be refurbished, or must be scrapped. Florida based goTRG provides an international service that lifts, separates and recycles responsibly

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17 Aug 21

Updated: 22 Aug 21

HDepot's WFH/DIY

high wave weakens

PRO boosted by HD Supply
acquisition. DIY refits slow

Home Depot the $150Bn+ home & business improvement supplier continued to benefit from the Covid lockdown with huge DIY demand, and a strong recovery in its PRO business supply activity, especially SMB. More homes are being retro-fitted to office space for WFH execs and student's remote learning. 

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17 Aug 21

Updated: 18 Aug 21

Walmart growth
weak & wavering

Ecommerce flat 11%/sales.
Internation'l down ex-Asda

US #1 retailer Walmart reported flattening sales inQ2'22, including online demand & delivery. It continued to copy Amazon's 
initiatives albeit with less success & benefited from store collection and higher ticket values 

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16 Aug 21

Updated: 17 Aug 21

Imperial doubles
up in California

39th acquisition questions
Bain's integration strategy

VC Bain Capital owned Imperial Dade, continued its rapid roll-up of regional hygiene, food service & packaging suppliers in the US. Its latest moves stretch coast to coast along a path pioneered by Bunzl. The big question now is whether Bain will back brand and systems integration or asset strip and flip?

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