Staples strips to
It's now 3 months since vulture capitalist Sycamore Partners owned Staples parted ways with chief Sandy Douglas. Meanwhile, proxy chairman John Lederer has assumed control without appointing a replacement? Will it ever happen and how will this affect the future of its $14Bn business delivery interests inc. wholesaler Essendant? Updated
B2U marketing
Business supply resellers (B2B) need to make digital connections and provide personalized experiences when selling to users (eg. Lucy, beyond the trad buyers. Here are 3 strong digital ways for dealers to reach Lucy (B2U marketing) provided by experts Mike McLaren of MerkleB2B and Julia Doheny of B2B International. We discuss...
"You can't be fired
Amazon continues to grow its broadline business supplies category to an estimated $60Bn+ worldwide in 2021. Our conversations with contract OP dealers indicate a huge underestimation of Amazon's penetration in corporate accounts. Moreover, it is now #1 wholesaler to dealers in all the major marketplaces.... Updated
Beyond paperclips
2021 will be the 10th year running we have urged OP dealers to move from the paper dominated office supply market towards the paperless office where users need tools & services to help gain productivity e.g. IT, hygiene, ergonomics. Here's our latest practical guidelines & progressive dealer case studies to aid your transition...Updated
Bouncebackability
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
Messy WHSmith
International travel & high street stationery retailer WHSmith has been declining for 20yrs under inept management. Now under current ceo Carl Cowling's questionable category 's-t-r-e-t-c-h' strategy it is under pressure from an activist investor
Top MSP Marco's Minnesota based Marco Technologies continued its relentless roll up of regional managed service providers driving southwards through Wisconsin towards Chicago. we discuss progress, its latest acquisition and plans with ceo Doug Albregts
"You can't be fired
Amazon continues to grow its broadline business supplies category to an estimated $60Bn+ worldwide in 2021. Our conversations with contract OP dealers indicate a huge underestimation of Amazon's penetration in corporate accounts. Moreover, it is now #1 wholesaler to dealers in all the major marketplaces.... Updated
Amazon tops 20K
Amazon direct product sales are running at $250Bn pa growing at +25%. What's less understood is that 60% of gross revenues are via 6M resellers or $350Bn. Of this at least 10% of volume is in business supplies or $60Bn+ making Amazon the #1 reseller and wholesaler in US, UK & Europe. We analyse progress inc. case studies... Updated
FEMSA pens food
FEMSA, the mighty $23Bn Mexican based convenience store, fuel station (Oxxo) and hygiene service distributor has announced a major acquisition in the Mid- Atlantic region. Envoy Solutions its distribution acquisition vehicle is in a race with Bunzl, Imperial Dade and Brady Industries to roll up US hygiene suppliers
Ricoh: smart move
Ricoh is investing heavily in building its MSP business via acquisition of specialists. This latest acquisition strengthens it's position as one of Europe’s largest managed service providers of smart lockers.
FedEx chief found
FedEx shareholders should reject CEO Fred 'Smarmy' Smith's $54m pay package because the logistics giant gave him stock options after scrapping a cash bonus in the wake of the COVID, only to reinstate later, stated the Teamsters union. Meanwhile, FedEx has been busy hiking prices to customers whilst reporting record profitability
Eakes expands NE
Eakes Office Solutions the leading business supply reseller in Nebraska has acquired another OP & jansan specialist in its region. We can expect similar developments in 2021/2 from progressive chief Mark Miller.
ECom packaging
European packaging giant DSSmith, ex-owner of 'jewel in the crown' Spicers until 2011, has described its business model as “robust” after posting year end results. CEO Miles Roberts said that it was boosted by the huge rise in e-commerce business driven by the Covid lockdown
Make ESG goals
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) reported the successful signatories to the UK's Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) code, which sets standards for asset managers, pension schemes & insurers to create “long-term value for clients and sustainable benefits for the economy”. We review successes and failures...
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