Dussman drives
Dussmann Group, the $2.5Bn facilities/cleaning services provider based in Berlin, is to acquire the multinational specialist engineering company STS Group, which has its headquarters in Dublin
Wayfair workers
500+ employees at $8Bn in sales furniture etailer Wayfair are planning to walk out tomorrow in protest to the business with contractors that are furnishing border camps for asylum seekers.
SPLS/Dex doubles
Staples acquired leading US MPS dealer Dex Imaging (Tampa, FL) in February; and has now acquired 2 important print resellers in the Orlando & Dallas markets. We spoke with CEO Sandy Douglas about expansion plans in the managed technology services space... omplete & updated
Packaging power
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has published the May 2019 Containerboard Monthly report. According to the report, production in May decreased 6% compared to May 2018 and down 4.5% year-to-date. We discuss what this slowdown means for the packaging market...
Insight saves
Insight Enterprises the $7Bn IT solutions provider is set to acquire PCM, its struggling international rival in a $600m deal. PCM has been losing market share and exiting core markets over the past year.
LSC lifeline sale
Quad/Graphics said it intends to vigorously defend its proposed acquisition of LSC Communications (parent of OP maker TOPS, Quality Park, Pendafles and Ampad), in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeking to block the acquisition.
Depot trials new
Office Depot today hired its third CEO at CompuCom, since it acquired the collapsing technology services provider in Oct'17. It continues to hire IQ/techy types, rather than much needed customer service leaders that can motivate its people & customers
Amazon axes
Restaurant supply is a major growth category for progressive dealers. However, Amazon has decided to close its delivery service after 4 years of tough competition. Is this a sign of the times for Amazon's long term strategy? We discuss....
Overstock, over
Failing furniture & business supplies etailer Overstock is hyping transformation into a blockchain company. Thwarted efforts to sell its beleaguered retail business have recently heated up, according to CEO Patrick Byrne
Shopify to boost
Shopify the popular ecommerce platform for retail sellers is reacting to criticism of its B2B deficiencies and trying to improve delivery service cost effectiveness by pooling shipments. We discuss....
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
Will ODP Federate
Beleaguered Office Depot made its 10th dealer acquisition in May, since its Federation drive started in Oct'17. PP sources understand another batch may join in Q3. Given Depot's fragile market capitalisation, what are wholesalers doing to defend a potential dealer exodus? Updated
Staples stokes up
As indicated at Essendant's CORE event in Feb, Staples has combined purchasing power and demanded substantial cost price reductions from vendors. The big question is what savings will be invested in dealer competitiveness and how much pocketed by vulture capitalist owner Sycamore Partners? We discuss... Updated
Papermakers'
The Big 3 US papermakers' cartel behaviour persists. After the Georgia Pacific mill closure saga induced panic buying ahead of a phantom March price increase, distributors stocked to the rafters. Now with demand sliding are the domestic makers propagating near capacity limits to boost another price increase claim? On Monday inc latest papermakers reports
Dealers' decision
Back in 1994, the OP wholesalers led the stockless dealer drive that fuelled the expansion of single source supplier success. Now with uncertainty surrounding wholesalers' future, its decision making time for dealers. We explore the options available for those who are committed to becoming broadline business suppliers. Updated
Logistics leaders
Q2'19 results season is upon us with consumer & business supplies' brand CEO's expected to report a further slowdown that started in Q3'18. Leading laggards are the logistics giants including FedEx, JBHunt, XPO, CSX & UPS. We preview the trends....Updated
'Paperless' paused
Big businesses have removed or changed their messaging since the inception of pro-paper campaign group Two Sides in 2008. Accused of 'greenwash' those promoting a paperless comms future based on greater speed, efficiency and carbon emission reduction should be regroup and focus on the positives of digital comms.
Will AMZN Prime
The ads are incessant for Prime Day, Amazon’s two-day shopping event for members only, July 15 and 16. Perhaps you even caught the live-streamed Taylor Swift concert that kicked off the festivities. Fast Company's Mark Wilson reckons its a con. We discuss his case....
Fakebook fine a
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has agreed to a $5bn settlement with Facebook over it's deceitful use of private data. e.g. selling info to Microsoft. 'Fakebook' even violated a firewall & budgeted the penalty precisely. Who's Zucking who?
Newell Brands in
The collapse of the Newell house of brands post the disastrous $16Bn Jarden acquisition in 2016 continues. The uncertainty hanging over the heads of executives leading valuable assets is palpable. What's next for brands like Rubbermaid, Papermate/Sharpie, Dymo, Elmers? We discuss.... later today
Can SPOT stop
Vulture capitalist Better Capital owner of SPOT, the mongrel mix of Spicers & Officeteam, has reported 2018 financial results. As expected it continued to bleed losses from mismanagement of a dealer group contract and huge paper price increases. Surely, CEO Jon Moulton (pic left) will terminate its tortuous tenure soon?
What Lucy wants
A c m e United