The Proficiency
The Q1'22 reporting season is almost complete. Proficiency Index have analysed results and separated out the price inflation element, from real volume performance. This week Walmart, Home Depot, DCC-Exertis, Bunzl, Macfarlane & Target all
reported boosted profits fueled by high price hikes; 75 companies analysed to date
Amazon: Ultimate
"What Amazon doesn't know can hurt you" writes NYTimes Moira Weigel. Amazon has become hugely profitable $800Bn GMV sales organisation that overtook Walmart last year. It largely turns a blind eye to products sold on its platform. How responsible is the 'Everything Store' for everything it supplies?
Bruneau building
JM Bruneau, the $500m sales, Paris based OP etailer, expanded into Luxembourg, Spain & Italy via acqu'n, backed by VC Equistone.
Last Oct, another VC Towerbrook took ownership. The big question is will it pursue more geo-acquisitions or an organic growth strategy and what is the service differential?
Returns Quandary:
After testing, reverse logistics vendor Narvar will expand a service that lets consumers schedule a courier to pick-up returns from their homes. More impersonalization, after recent announcements by Office Depot that it will outsource core delivery and returns responsibility, motivated by cost reduction, not customer satisfaction? We discuss best practice ownership models ...
OPIs 'New Normal'
OPI and Martin Wilde Associates just announced new B2B (?) end-user research on the ‘new normal’ workplace in the US? Save your money, Proficiency Post has reported consensus insights from leading corp ceo's, business supply leaders and WFH execs on the hybrid working future and services needed. Tomorrow's News Analysis Today, not yesterday's news tomorrow...
Softcat soars high
UK #1 tech reseller Softcat reported 30%+ sales growth across tall product and market channel segments in its first half2022. CEO Graeme Watt was optimistic about future growth given new major contract wins and return to office of employees and customers
Costco owns 85%
After lagging leaders Amazon, Target & Walmart in Ecommerce for years, giant business supplier Costco invested large in systems inc. webstores & rapid delivery. 2yrs ago it acquired a logistics firm, renamed Costco Logistics and now delivers 85% of online orders...
New hybrid work
It's 2 years since country leaders told people they must work from home (WFH). Employees have since learnt to live without daily commutes to offices in city centres and have largely embraced hybrid working. Businesses are still thinking through what it all means in practice.
Inflation inflamed!
What's causing high inflation costing consumers an extra 10%+ and for how long will it last? Economic growth and employment rates are strong; and businesses aren't complaining, boosting profits by hiking prices indiscriminately eg FedEx/UPS. We review top economists' analyses...
Envoy envelops
The hygiene and packaging market is on fire with M&A activity happening almost weekly! Bain Capital's Imperial Dade, FEMSA's Envoy and BRADY Industries lead the way in consolidating regional jansan dealers. Envoy just announced its 12th acquisition in NJ; next week Imperial's 48th?
AveryDenn catch
Avery Dennison, the $8.4Bn labels & RFID tags maker has acquired the linerless label technology developed by a UK company. "This will fulfill two of our main 2030 sustainability goals: to deliver innovations that advance the circular economy, and to reduce environmental impact in operations and technology,” enthused Noel Kasmi, VP marketing.
Imperial Dade buys
Bain Capital backed Imperial Dade, the hygiene, foodservice & packaging reseller roll up, has acquired the Canadian division of US #1 paper & packaging wholesaler Veritiv. One big step closer to a massive $10Bn in sales, full merger that Proficiency Post has been speculating for years?
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
