Does EVO know
The demise of UK's #2 OP reseller Complete Business Solutions reminded many of the ruinous ragbag rollup of Garner Bennett 20yrs ago. The common fault line: 'No integration of systems or focus on organic growth'. Now it's been saved by major creditor EVO Group (ceo Andrew Gale, pic left), how will subsidiary Banner manage the many parts, given its losing record in the growing business supply market? Complete
Will CNG broaden
Central National Gottesman (CNG), the $9Bn privately owned (Wallach family, Andrew and Kenneth, pic left) paper and packaging distributor acquired US#2 OP wholesaler SPR on 11Jan. The big question, apart from distribution system synergies: will it adopt a broadline business supply wholesale strategy, absent this century; and open up opportunities for single source supply 'stockless' dealers? We discuss...Complete
OP <10% demand;
Proficiency Index has completed its MEGATRENDS review of the business supply market in 2022. In both US & UK trad paper related office supplies fell below 10% of business demand. Yet, the latest survey of OP dealers show average sales mix was still >60%. Moreover, it confirmed US channel leaders were c7yrs+ ahead of UK in range breadth i.e. low hygiene, foodservice and packaging. We analyse market trends and advise ... Complete
Renaissance or
What will happen in 2023 with Economy: Inflation? Leaders Amazon, Apple, SPLS-Essendant, CNG-SPR, Advent-Imperial, FEMSA-Envoy, WBMason, HP, Uline, EVO-VOW, Paragon-Spicers, Lyreco, Raja, Bunzl, independent dealers, dealer groups, wholesalers, furnituremakers, paper-printermakers, MPS, OP makers; foodservice; hygiene suppliers; packaging; AI, cybersecurity; Hybrid-WFH; B2U marketing trends? PP's Top 20 predictions.
2023 Business
We repeat "Are we heralding in the Roaring 20's" after an uncertain Putin disrupted 2022? Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Shopify, Uber have M-powered a entrepreneurial revolution with affordable tech & immediate delivery. Covid advanced 2025 trends: #Paperless #Officeless #Touchless. WFH-Hybrid office trends tell us to connect with users by providing personalised productivity services + integrated same-day delivery. We guide on how dealers can take charge of their destiny? Report inc. 2022 Market Review
AMZN ceo echos
At New York Times DealBook Summit last week, big business was well represented. 'Every topic was fair game and no question out of bounds'. Amazon ceo Andy Jassy provided some important insights into the company and the economy. We report on the highlights...
Sustainability
Corporate Knights' Global Index has ranked the Most Sustainability Companies 2022. The EarthShot Prize Awards last night in Boston highlighted even more progress. We review latest developments from dealers, distributors and makers in the business supplies marketplace towards ESG/Greener practices in action, not greenwash
Earthshot Prize
The Prince & Princess of Wales (aka Wills & Kate) concluded their highly acclaimed visit to Boston on Friday with a packed itinerary, inc. the JFK Library tour, before hosting the Earthshot Prize awards at MGM Music Hall, Fenway. We list a green packaging market winner; and take the opportunity to highlight the Sustainability-ESG champions leading the international business supply market. Updated
Envoy's 28th acq
The hygiene & packaging market rages with M&A activity! Advent's Imperial Dade & FEMSA's Envoy Solutions lead the way in rolling up US regional jansan dealers. Envoy ceo Mark Fisher just announced the acquisition of a major, iconic Northeast reseller (total 28 to date) taking it past $2Bn in revenues
Buroring buying
Buying groups' viability has been in question for 20yrs+ as the focus continued on "direct buys to lower cost of goods". Unfortunately, the demise of narrowline wholesalers has caused a mistrust of the successful 'stockless dealer' model, causing dealers to stock and increase 'cost to serve'. Result: poor marketing and little development of value added productivity services for customers?
Imperial packs up
VC Advent owned Imperial Dade, resumed the rapid roll-up of regional hygiene, food service & packaging suppliers in the US-Canada after a barren Nov! This latest move in its home NJ state has re-accelerated the national takeover stakes v rival Envoy Solutions. The persistent question remains: will the VC's really invest in systems and brand integration?
EVO's E n d l e s s
On 18Nov we headlined a report on EVO Business Supplies 2021 financials "How Now Down VOW". It described the collapse in revenues from $800m to $400m under ceo Steve Haworth's leadership in spite of major acquisitions and the bankruptcy of #1 rival Spicers. This week VC owner Endless called time on his charade. Can the distrusted 'wholesaler' return?
Imperial cleans up
VC Advent owned Imperial Dade, resumed the rapid roll-up of regional hygiene, food service & packaging suppliers in the US/Canada. This latest move in Ohio tracks a path pioneered by Bunzl, followed by FEMSA-Envoy & BradyIFS. The persistent question mark continues: will the VC's really invest in systems and brand integration?
Premier powers
Japan Pulp & Paper owned Premier Paper Group made its second acquisition in the specialist added value UK packaging market in 2022. Delighted ceo Mike Beever said "it will open up many opportunities to develop product & service offerings through shared expertise".
Wayfair waking
Leading home & WFH furniture etailer Wayfair ceo Niraj Shah reported better results for the Thanksgiving weekend thru Cyber Monday, including c+5% increase in the US compared to a year ago. This reverses downward trends since the WFH peaks in '20/21
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
