K-Cup coffee
Keurig Dr. Pepper, the newly formed $11Bn beverage giant confirmed the addition of more iconic brands to its portfolio in Q1'19 results. Meanwhile, its core coffee results were stronger, but still need of extra shot of espresso
Veritiv veers fast
Veritiv, the leading US paper & packaging wholesaler, continued to suffer declining printer paper demand not offset by big average price increases. How much longer will investors tolerate this imploding acquisition target?
Conduent sinks
Conduent, the much hyped ex-Affiliated Computer Services company, now 2 years separated from Xerox, declined dramatically in sales again in Q1'19. The CEO announced his departure yesterday....
Brother inks flat
Brother International the $6Bn document services & printermaker, reported a sales and profits decline in Q4'19 primarily from markets in the US, Europe & Japan
Desperate Depot's
Office Depot/Max, continued to sink in Q1'19. Core sales are plunging, disguised by acquisitions; the toxic takeover of Compucom; and failure of its dodgy services strategy. We analyse CEO Gerry 'Smudger' Smith's hollow hype and misleading Q&A session. Will Alibaba come to the rescue?
Hi Performance
Performance Food Group (PFG inc. Vistar), the leading food & beverage services wholesaler in the US recorded powerful growth in its Q3'19 report
Nestle integrates
Nestle USA plans to exit its frozen direct-store delivery network for pizza and ice cream and transition to a RDC warehouse model it uses for its frozen meals and snacks businesses.
Energizer gets
Energizer Holdings the personal, household care and battery maker reported a huge hike in Q2'19 results boosted almost entirely by acquisitions. Can the conglomerate drive real growth in the strong markets it has entered?
Fakebook's $5Bn
Two top senators—one Rep and one Dem—are urging the Federal Trade Commission to set a "resounding precedent" against Facebook in its ongoing negotiations over the Firewall breach of privacy settlement, writes Timothy Lee. Perhaps a year's profits c$20Bn+ penalty would be more effective, plus tighter restrictions...
Poly progresses
Poly (ex-Plantronics), a global leader in audio & video comms for business, reported strong organic growth in Q4'19, boosted by the Polycom merger
3D S y s t e m s
3D Systems announced increased sales but continuing losses for Q1'19. How mucxh longer will shareholders tolerate Ex-HP VJ Joshi failure to lift sales amd make profits?
Imperial bags
Imperial Dade, the largely Eastern Seaboard US reseller of hygiene, food service and packaging supplies, resumed its rapid roll up of regional specialists following the new capital injection of Bain Capital, announced last week.
Disconnected
Late last century, normal OP dealer motivation was maximising margins and maintaining relationships with stationery buyers. Enter the digital 2000's, Amazon has led the market with personalised service beyond the buyer to Lucy, the typical user chooser, with faster delivery service across a broader business supplies selection. Time to go beyond the buyer! Complete
D e p o t sign
After at least 12 years of tailspinning sales at Office Depot, CEO Gerry Smith has hired a new Business Supplies Division (BSD) chief, probably the first senior executive with relevant sales organisation experience. Can the new guy reverse the disintegration of the $4Bn+ division?
Will Bain expand
VC Bain Capital an original investor in Staples has invested in the FM/Hygiene supply market in recent years. In 2017, it bought a top hygiene brand Diversey from Sealed Air and last week took a majority stake in Eastern US jansan reseller Imperial Dade. What's the plan? We look at the options to invest further or flip? Complete
Sysco serves up
Sysco, the leading $60Bn in sales food services provider to restaurants and business reported solid profits in Q3'19, but slowing sales growth especially in Europe.
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
Etailers escape
Five years ago, we reported that the rapid OP etailer expansion was peaking, as a result of Amazon's aggression and the incidence of high customer churn from its disloyal 'casual dating' model. Progressive resellers exercising a deep customer intimacy model have achieved sustained success as etailers escape the market...
Etailers maul
Seeking Alpha analyst Wolf Richter reports on the rise and rise of ecommerce at the expense of retail stores especially, the mall locations. We discuss and analyse his findings... Later today
Is it all clicking
"Wayfair, the #1 US furniture reseller is a newly minted Fortune 500 entrant. It has two visionary founders, 2,300 data geeks, and skyrocketing sales. Now it just needs to turn a profit" writes contributgor Jeffrey O'Brien. We discuss his article plus its growing delivery service issues weighing on the brand
AMZN v Walmart
Walmart's steady growth trend has attracted praise from financial press. However, its important to get real when comparing progress v #1 Amazon. Godzilla's US sales online are 6X v Walmart from faster webstore experience & delivery service. We compare the key metrics.....Updated
Will Tariffs trump
The huge hike in tariff rate to 25% proposed on Chinese imports will almost certainly be passed on where possible to consumers. However, will businesses resist particularly on paper-related private label products? Updated
Disconnected
Late last century, normal OP dealer motivation was maximising margins and maintaining relationships with stationery buyers. Enter the digital 2000's, Amazon has led the market with personalised service beyond the buyer to Lucy, the typical user chooser, with faster delivery service across a broader business supplies selection. Time to go beyond the buyer! Complete
Will Bain expand
VC Bain Capital an original investor in Staples has invested in the FM/Hygiene supply market in recent years. In 2017, it bought a top hygiene brand Diversey from Sealed Air and last week took a majority stake in Eastern US jansan reseller Imperial Dade. What's the plan? We look at the options to invest further or flip? Complete
Will A l i b a b a
Alibaba, the Chinese based global ecommerce marketplace giant, formed a 'collaborative partnership' with Office Depot last month. What is Alibaba's intent given that it has yet to penetrate the US market successfully? Complete
Fastest delivery
"Traditional retailers "Walmart and Target are a step ahead of Amazon in delivery moving to same-day" according to retail equity analyst John Zolidis. Keep up, Amazon have been delivering same day to the world's major cities progressively since 2014.
Will AMZN's CRaP
Amazon's etail growth rate has slowed dramatically over recent quarters. Meanwhile, it's cutting its 'CRaP' defined products; shifting to imported private label; cutting back on small vendors; and splitting deliveries into multiple drops. We discuss the consequences...Updated
Stanley's Smart
Home Depot's
Printers plunge