2015 Dec pp banner1200 2 mob
2016 Jan pp banner1200

  • resilient leaders 23Bouncebackability
    Index Leaderboard

    Q4'22 analysis highlights
    resilient Winners v Losers


    Reports are all in for Business Supply players in Q4'22. Predictably they show inflated profits but weak sales recovery v pre-Covid 'norm' Q4'19. Proficiency Index reports the Leaderboard of makers, wholesalers & dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance. It covers 100 leading paper & printer makers, hygiene, foodservice and packaging suppliers, OP/furnituremakers and retailers Updated

     Read More

  • Screen Shot 2022 12 09 at 2.14.03 PMHealthy Hygiene
    market normalizes

    Who won/lost market share?
    Price inflation average +12%


    Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q4'22 analysis is almost complete with brand volumes slowing, boosted by double-digit price hikes. Updated for KPTissue, Sappi & Suzano. Diversey delayed to 22Mar

     Read More

  • women marketeers top 9 jul16Top 50 Women
    Marketers 2023

    Leaders in creativity, sales,
    brand growth performance


    Marketing to businesses by brandmakers & resellers was traditionally dominated by men. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Proficiency Index recognises the most successful women leaders. This is 16th edition of 'Top 50 Women in Business Supply', the market's real growth achievers, including new entrants from progressive independent dealers.

     Read More

  • Screen Shot 2023 02 26 at 2.18.29 PMOffice Mkt Legends
    reunited in renewal

    MegaIndy leaders:Bigeard,
    Meehan+Sargent BOS mtg


    It's 10yrs since the top OP mega-independent dealer champs Lyreco's Eric Bigeard and WBMason's Leo Meehan met with Staples CEO Ron Sargent in Boston. We reflected on past glories, Covid, digital transformation and looked forward to a 'hybrid office productivity' future..Updated 

     Read More

  • Screen Shot 2023 02 24 at 2.48.36 PMHybrid work future
    hollows corp space

    Entrepreneurs' rise drives
    up 'officeless' productivity;
    less latency eg. commuting


    The contrast in opinions over the 'hybrid work future' & the 'return to work', is stark. New thinking is positive about the huge rise in entrepreneurial productivity. Old thinking believes a return to corporate office control is inevitable. Are corporations underestimating the hollowing out of office space; the time waste and the need to trust workers' motives? Updated

     Read More
› ‹
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Details
28 Feb 23
Updated: 28 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Veritiv truck sunset thumb medium300 0Veritiv's volume 
down double digits

Price hikes save print sales.
Advent-Imperial takeover?


Veritiv, the leading US paper & packaging wholesaler, recovered from its terminal tailspin boosted by price inflation. CEO Sal Abbate has driven a new packaging strategy to offset sinking printed paper demand. The 3yr 10X rise in market cap supports ongoing takeover speculation?  Who's interested ...the saga continues?  Updated

Read more ...

Details
28 Feb 23
Updated: 28 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Cornell Brian Target 21Target's high ticket
ride normalizing...

'Essentials' ordered online,
delivered same-day strong


Target, the $109Bn+ sales US retailer, reported normalized Q4'22 results from buoyant 'essentials' demand, but margins were hit by mis-matched inventory issues, now resolved. CEO Brian Cornell described strong online ordering in food, bevs & WFH categories from its personalized Shipt same day delivery ...Updated

Read more ...

Details
27 Feb 23
Updated: 28 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Yuan Eric Zoom thumb other250 0Zoom's boom in
vidcoms bursts

Microsoft, Google & Cisco
still chasing cloud upstart


Video collaboration specialist Zoom's ceo Eric Yuan, rapid progress sank in Q4'23 as the WFH growth slowed right down causing a massive loss. The BIG question now is how can it reinvent itself, to increase its lead or will Microsoft's TEAMS overtake? Updated

Read more ...

Details
27 Feb 23
Updated: 7 Mar 23
Subscribe to read!

Screen Shot 2023 02 26 at 2.18.29 PMOffice Mkt Legends
reunited in renewal

MegaIndy leaders:Bigeard,
Meehan+Sargent BOS mtg


It's 10yrs since the top OP mega-independent dealer champs Lyreco's Eric Bigeard and WBMason's Leo Meehan met with Staples CEO Ron Sargent in Boston. We reflected on past glories, Covid, digital transformation and looked forward to a 'hybrid office productivity' future..Updated 

Read more ...

Details
27 Feb 23
Updated: 28 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Lores Enrique HP 22 arrogantHP's H e a v y
Protectionism

Disqualifying dealers
who defy onerous rules


A well-established UK-based reseller reports that “with immediate effect” it has been blocked from purchasing any HP products. Just the latest example of many over the past 10 years of ceo Enrique Lores' smug arrogance and protectionism, as it hikes prices as volumes plunge to less than half of 2010 levels. 

Read more ...

Details
27 Feb 23
Updated: 27 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

van zenten frank bunzl 18Bunzl bundles up
Foodservice/PPE

Reports double digit sales
growth from price inflation


Bunzl, the $14Bn international business supplies wholesaler reported full year 2022 results. Real organic volume growth was marginal and continued to be boosted by high inflationary prices. CEO Frank van Zanten commented on 12 acquisitions in 2022 + 2 more in Foodservice & PPE this year (approx $60m sales). Updated

 

Read more ...

Details
26 Feb 23
Updated: 27 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Screen Shot 2023 02 24 at 2.48.36 PMHybrid work future
hollows corp space

Entrepreneurs' rise drives
up 'officeless' productivity;
less latency eg. commuting


The contrast in opinions over the 'hybrid work future' & the 'return to work', is stark. New thinking is positive about the huge rise in entrepreneurial productivity. Old thinking believes a return to corporate office control is inevitable. Are corporations underestimating the hollowing out of office space; the time waste and the need to trust workers' motives? Updated

Read more ...

Details
25 Feb 23
Updated: 25 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Roman Mike 3M hands3M: CEO Roman
removal rumors?

Earplug & Chemical issues
add to damaging demand


The once mighty 3M shares closed at a 10 year low yesterday, down -25% since Sept'22. Apart from the well chronicled legal cases over defective military earplugs and PFAS chemical issues, the board has forecast declining demand for 2023. Weary large shareholders are calling for a management overhaul, including a change from CEO Mike Roman.

Read more ...

Details
24 Feb 23
Updated: 25 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

Screen Shot 2023 02 16 at 7.21.45 PMF E M S A's Envoy
expedition to end? 

$2Bn+ US hygiene supply
resellers' rollup Q4 results


FEMSA the $36Bn Mexican based Oxxo fuel/convenience store chain & CocaCola distributor, that acquired Waxie-NAmerican jansan dealer network in 2020 via its Envoy subsidiary, reported strong Q4'22 results. We analyse results and report on progress of 32 acquisitions to date; which it now shockingly, seems to be calling to a halt, whilst its board considers "strategic alternatives"? Updated inc Analysts Q&A session

Read more ...

Details
24 Feb 23
Updated: 25 Feb 23
Subscribe to read!

redondo navigator 23Navigator's hugely
inflated price hikes

Paper volumes in decline.
Prices +42%. Profits high!


Portugal's Navigator Paper Company, the leading quality brand papermaker, reported highly inflated sales and profits in Q4'22 entirely from huge 40%+ price increases. Tissue volume demand was flat, plus a new acquisition, reported ceoAntonio Redondo. Updated

Read more ...

More Articles ...

  1. Brady Corp Q2'23 Financial Review
  2. Acco Brands Q4'22 Financial Review
  3. HNI Q4'22 Financial Review
  4. Mondi Group FY2022 Financial Review
Latest News

"Tomorrow's News Today,

not yesterday's news tomorrow."

twitter heart50facebook heart50

FREE PP NEWS

Please register to the site before you can sign for a list.
No account yet? Register

ppnew on mobile UK 2018

Member Login