H o w N o w
VOW, the leading UK OP wholesaler, part of the EVO Group, continued its 10yr long decline in 2021 in spite of acquisitions, the collapse of rival Spicers; and ignorantly missed, broadline business supply expansion opportunities. Moreover, losses continued. What happened to VC owner Endless' much lauded investment in growth initiatives?
Healthy Hygiene
Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q3'22 analysis is nearing completion with brands' volumes slowing, boosted by double digit price hikes. Complete
Can dealers pass
We've written exhaustively about the need for OP dealers to convert from 'transactional' product suppliers to 'personalised productivity services' providers inc. hygiene, foodservice & packaging. Amazon is winning the transactional battle with same day delivery of broadline business supplies to WFH users. Can dealers pass the 3pt conversion test? We discuss and highlight the best practice services providers? Complete
Industrial supply
Q3'22 financial reports for leading industrial supply distributors are nearing completion e.g. Fastenal, Motion, MSC, Grainger, Wesco, Arrow, Berry, DXP show double-digit sales growth boosted by price hikes; and higher profits. Proficiency Index reviews the performance of the Top 20 US distributors in 2022 with insightful analysis and discussion with leaders, progress and plans for 2023. Updated
'OPeless, OPaque
Proficiency Index is reaching the conclusion of Q3'22 reports analysis. It has become obvious that many OP market CEO's, who have failed to reinvent their companies, are in denial; and desperately trying to mislead the market over their incompetence. We highlight the Top 10 losers and contrast with Top 10 winners...
German IT group
Bechtle, the German based $6Bn in revenues, IT and managed services provider, confirmed its 3rd recent acquisition in the UK. CEO Thomas Olemotz (pic) is intent on European wide acquisitions to fuel the fast growing group...
Can 'C a d e n c e'
UK's BOSS Federation held a combined 'Leaders of the Future' conference & 'Industry Awards' celebratory dinner tonight in Manchester. We review the conference agenda and list the winners of the featured category awards.
H a p p y
We hope everyone has a wonderful day filled with love, gratitude and great food. From the Proficiency Post family to yours, have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the Black Friday 'Football' festival between USA and England in the World Cup!
Ex-Kelway Doye
UK IT reseller Boxxe owner Phil Doye (ex-Kelway/CDW) has made a minority investment in rival VAR Total Computers. Doye will now become a board member of the Kettering-based firm, which turned over £91m in fiscal 2021.
Haughty HP inks
Old tech giant, HP Inc's printer & ink sales volume continued to decline double digits in Q4'22, mitigated by high inflationary price hikes. PC demand weakened and still losing market share to Dell & Lenovo. Can complacent, in denial, ceo Enrique Lores really reinvent the fading force whilst laying off thousands of workers? Updated for Analysts Q&A session analysis and comment
Best Buy: bounce
Best Buy, the $52Bn electronics retailer reported declining sales & profits in Q3'23 hit by major supply issues and slow tech demand. CEO Corie Barry is focused on improving user experience and delivery speed to compete with leaders Amazon & Target.
Zoom's boom in
Video collaboration specialist Zoom's (CEO Eric Yuan, pic left) rapid progress subsided in Q3'23 as the WFH growth slowed right down. . The BIG question now is how can it reinvent itself, to increase its lead or will Microsoft's TEAMS overtake?
D e l l delivers
Dell Technologies, the $100Bn tech giant, reported a weaker sales and profits performance in Q3'23. Whilst the consumer PC market slowed down, the infrastucture solutions group made strong headway in serrvers and networking
Smucker sales
J. M. Smucker, the US beverage & food service brands supplier, reported a volume decline offset by double digit price increases in Q2'23 ended 31Oct'22. Sales through grocery stores and online maintained momentum as business channels slowly recovered.
Nespresso's new
Nespresso, the leader in single-serve espresso brewers, has unveiled a new range of compostable pods. Excited CEO Guillaume Le Cunff proclaimed "The first ever paper-based compostable capsule, complementing our aluminium capsules that are both recyclable and made using 80% recycled aluminium"
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