The Paperless,
The global Covid lockdown will likely reignite trends that emerged over the past 20 years. The printer 'paperless' plunge; 'officeless' orientation; and now the 'touchless' trend towards higher hygiene & safety. Moreover, a resurgence in sustainability practices to cut carbon emissions; and ironically, greater human touch. We analyse these movements Updated
Glocalisation Up!
In 1994, John Naisbitt wrote the Global Paradox book, that successfully predicted the growth of independent businesses. #Glocalisation paralleled that prediction where products/services were created for global consumption and personalised to suit local culture. This trend is rising thru Covid. We discuss the many successful brand case studies.
Print/papermakers
Most leading OP, Paper & Print makers have reported severe sales declines in Q1'20 to date. Printer Paper demand is down 60%+ since 2008; the exodus to hygiene and packaging is huge. We analyse the market and update on a daily basis. Updated for Konica Minolta today
The Office is Dead!
"Farewell, office. You were the last boundary between work and home" writes NYTimes columnist Jennifer Senior. "The office shaped identities in ways workers never knew". Yes, the 'Officeless' trend started 10yrs ago, but the power of physical community & teamwork contact should not be underestimated...Updated
High order values.
A primary focus for OP dealers has been lowering buying price to achieve GP% improvement. Progressive dealers in broadline business supply have achieved greater success by 2X order values & lowering cost to serve. We highlight examples... Updated
Conduent sinks
Conduent, the much hyped ex-Affiliated Computer Services company, now 3 years split from Xerox, declined dramatically again in Q1'20. The CEO appointed by Chainsaw Carl Icahn is under "strategic operational review". Watch this space...
Shopify soars
Shopify the MCommerce platform for business supply entrepreneurs grew rapidly in Q1'20 to 1M independent businesses. It has reinforced marketing prowess with distribution services; can it match Amazon's delivery execution?
CDW gets WFH
CDW, the $18Bn international reseller of IT products & services, reported continued powerful growth in Q1'20 particularly in US Public Edu & Health Care; Corp & SMB markets. CEO Christine Leahy commented "Our team stepped up to provide network products & services to meet the Covid induced 'Work from Home' demand".
SPRichards: saved
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) the $19Bn parent of NAPA, Motion and SPRichards reported a Covid hit sales decline in Q1'20. CEO Paul Donahue made no comment on the OP business after its Canada exit. When will it offload the US operation?
Veritiv crashes in
Veritiv, the leading US paper & packaging wholesaler, continued its terminal tailspin. As an 'essentials' supplier during Covid its sales decline rate slowed. How much longer will investors tolerate incompetent management of this imploding acquisition target?
Deceitful Depot
Office Depot/OfficeMax, sank at a decelerating rate in Q1'20. OP core sales fell again, but hygiene essentials in retail & online offset the decline. We analyse CEO Gerry 'Smudger' Smith's hollow & misleading commentary and update on which white knight will come to the rescue?
US Foods case
US #2 foodservice distributor US Foods reported Covid induced volume declines in the restaurant & business supply market in Q1'20. CEO Pietro Satriano reported that the Food Group acquisition softened the fall.
Sysco service
Sysco, the leading $60Bn+ in sales international food service provider to restaurants and business reported declining sales & profits in Q3'20. How will new CEO Kevin Hourican (pic left) rejuvenate the market leader from increased competition? We discuss....
Aramark business
Aramark the global $16Bn business services provider in food, FM & uniforms reported declining revenues in Q2'20. Returning veteran CEO John Zillmer plans to "elevate the hospitality culture" and transform customer orientation support were disrupted by Covid.
V i s t a p r i n t
Cimpress aka Vistaprint, the leading online provider of professional marketing services to SMB's, reported declining sales in its Q3'20. It seems that loss of key managers, coincident with multiple acquisitions have stretched CEO Robert Keane's competency?
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