Beyond OPocalypse to
Before the Coronavirus pandemic tragedy the OP market was collapsing with paper & printer makers running below half 2010 demand levels. The 'Essentials' supply focus is a stark reminder that unless business suppliers' service includes hygiene & safety, refreshments, foodservice, IT & packaging products, the future is bleak. Every cloud has a silver lining.... Weekend
'Essentials' ease
The CV shutdown of all businesses except 'Essentials' supply by national & local government in US & UK would normally close office supply dealers. Those progressive resellers that have embraced broadline business supplies, have continued inc. home delivery, even though it means more, smaller individual drops at higher cost to serve....
Mask up delivery
"The coronavirus (CV) pandemic shows the need to overhaul how to treat delivery & frontline customer service teams" writes Business
Insider's Diana Enriquez. Good advice for dealers in business supply to ensure service teams 'mask-up' to reassure customers & get CV tests if they sense the symptoms... Updated
Hygiene Suppliers
The Coronavirus pandemic has hammered consumers & business supply demand with worse to come. Meanwhile, food & beverage, pharmacy & home technology suppliers are booming inc. makers & distributors that responded to the urgent need for greater personal protection & higher hygiene standards.. We review case studies... Updated
Buybacks v
Veritiv, the tailspinning US #1 paper merchant just announced a share buy back plan at a time when sales & profits were crashing pre CV. Meanwhile, many corporations are calling for bail out support from government as survival becomes their priority. How do they reconcile this greed with the CV pandemic about to explode across the US?
Xerox maintains
Copier giant Xerox maintains its roll up of MPS specialists in its race with HP and the top 8 US regional specialists. The big question in the market is the conflict between Xerox's direct sales force and its SMB channel partners. Does Xerox's management care?
Premier's push
Japan Pulp & Paper's UK merchant Premier Paper has rolled out a nationwide DC expansion as it makes moves into new display & sign markets to respond to evolving client demand.
US Foods makes
US #2 Foodservice provider USFoods has agreed to acquire a network of 70 cash'n'carry stores operating in the western states. This move expands its strategy to concentrate on serving independent restaurants
Overpackaging
In a world where sustainability is front of mind, recent research conducted by MORI, sponsored by leading paper & packaging group, Mondi, sounds a warning bell for excessive packaging. Younger people particularly are prepared to switch from brands that over package.
Costco: consistent
Costco Wholesale, the $150Bn broadline consumer & business supplies reseller, reported stronger growth rates in Q2'20,. Its work on weak webstore is paying dividends with increased growth achieved over the later Thanksgiving weekend. Moreover, in February sales were boosted by panic buying of 'virus fear' supplies
HP rejects Xerox
CNBC interviewed HP CEO Enrique Lores about its rejection of Chainsaw Carl Icahn led Xerox $35Bn bid. David Faber asked straight questions about blocks, synergies, a HP counterbid and upside benefits? Lores' answers were limp and unconvincing. It looked like a dinosaurs' death rattle with Canon threatening to end its $5bn relationship too.
TechData trends
Tech Data, the $37Bn in sales global #2 tech wholesaler reported disappointing results for Q4'20.. The former growth leader in 2018 has reversed course and losing share to regional rivals in US & Europe. Now in the hands of vulture capitalists. What's next?
Z o o m Video
Video collaboration specialist Zoom's (CEO Eric Yuan, pic left) launched a successful IPO in April and continued its relentless progress with outstanding sales and profits growth in Q4'20, outstripping traditional competition
The Rise & Rise of
MPS is dying! Long live "Managed Technology Services' providers that drive productivity improvement for customers. We profile the Top 8 resellers that are leading the US market and making regional acquisitions to fuel expansion...
Depot executive
In November Office Depot CFO Joe Lower, resigned after a years service. Under CEO Gerry 'Smudger' Smith's 3 year tailspinning tenure, he has failed to assemble a settled executive team. Now his lauded CCO has departed. Who's next?
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