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18 Dec 20

Updated: 18 Dec 20

US Economy
progress report

Covid impact on GDP, jobs,
start-ups, goods & services

Nearly a year after the Covid outbreak, the full impact on the US economy is unclear. Some of the most obvious indicators are in conflict: As some companies e.g 'essentials' suppliers, report enormous gains, nearly 10M more Americans are now unemployed and 1M+ filed new unemployment claims last week. We analyse the data...

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18 Dec 20

Updated: 18 Dec 20

Depot->OTGroup:
Frying pan to fire?

Veteran executive exits to
mongrel mix distributor

A near 20 year veteran sales executive from Office Depot Europe contracts team will join the newly formed phoenix organisation OT Group as sales director. It will be interesting to see if loyal Spicers UK dealers get more support in future than from failed previous management?

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17 Dec 20

Updated: 17 Dec 20

Steelcase stuck

with depression

Collaboration specialists
suffer Covid crisis spacing

Steelcase, the global leader in collaborative office furnishings, continued to report depressed demand caused by the Covid WFH lockdown in Q3'21 ended 31Oct'20. Sadly, CEO Jim Keane's outlook for Q4 continued downcast as the crisis worsened

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17 Dec 20

Updated: 18 Dec 20

FedEx: carried by
UPS cartel deal?

Repeat rate hikes disguise
Ecom share loss to AMZN

FedEx CEO Fred 'Smug' Smith continued to report 'barebones' Q2'21 results to 31Nov''20. Two rounds of unnecessary, high price hikes boosted sales & profitability. We estimate it lost market share to Amazon, USPS & UPS with a lagging service model

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17 Dec 20

Updated: 17 Dec 20

Acme advances
in medical supply

Progressive OP maker
pivots into health & safety

Acme United, the leading cutting tools maker, continued its diversification into the hygiene, heath & safety supply market with the acquisition of a medical supply specialist. Ceo Walter Johnsen shows the way for OP makers to reinvent themselves into growing markets

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16 Dec 20

Updated: 16 Dec 20

Herman Miller

fighting back

Retail creativity offsets
continued corporate crash

Herman Miller, the leading upscale furniture maker, recovered some of the  huge corporate demand losses in the Spring. CEO Andi Owen reported strong WFH demand, new home office concept stores and progress in its new gaming partnership with Logitech 

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16 Dec 20

Updated: 16 Dec 20

Dixons PC sales
boosted by WFH 

CEO Baldock continues
dodgy market share claims

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16 Dec 20

Updated: 16 Dec 20

DDDanger signs
from 3D printers

Plastic particles present
toxic risks to WFH users

Researchers are asking new questions about potential health risks to 3D printer users and consumers, especially children, of products manufactured with this emerging technology.

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16 Dec 20

Updated: 16 Dec 20

Bunzl higher in
hygiene supplies

2020's 6th acquisition in 
safety, foodservice & pkg

Bunzl, the $12Bn in sales, international business supplies wholesaler, updated the market on its powerful Q4'20 progress. Moreover, it confirmed its latest (6th in 2020) acquisition of a Canadian hygiene and food service group

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15 Dec 20

Updated: 15 Dec 20

China's Economy

& exports explode

US Trade War won in spite
of tariffs taxing consumers

China’s exemplary Covid response was a ‘magic recipe’ for economic growth & exports to the US. Imports from China increased 50% in November especially in WFH equipment: PC's eg. Lenovo; PPE e.g. 3M, & business supplies inc. screens, monitors, air purifiers. We review latest reports

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