Bouncebackability
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
Healthy Hygiene
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
Top 50 Women
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.
Office Mkt Legends
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
Hybrid work future
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
Nestle's Mode
Nestlé reported disappointing results and lowered guidance for sales growth, as the food and beverade giant navigated some exceptional problems
Walmart warns
The retail giant Walmart shares tumbled after it lowered its sales forecast and warned that growth in earnings was years away. Playing catch up is costing it dear...
WBMason
US #1 mega-independent reseller WBMason's 11th Annual Sales Meeting is a momentous occasion. The more relaxed 3 day 'Productivity' user show is underway. We spoke with CEO Leo Meehan and Matt Rogersand highlight the huge happenings...Updated
Proficiency Index Poll
Nominations for the 6th Annual edition of the Proficiency Index ’40 under 40’ Poll are complete. The hugely popular feature identifying the rising stars of the Personal Productivity Services (PPS) marketplace attracted 187 nominations. Top 40 results are below:
WBMason, the US #1 mega-independent reseller has acquired 2 more OP dealers in Massachusetts to consolidate its stronghold in the Northeast. We spoke with CEO Leo Meehan
#SPOT owner's
Three former directors of City Link including a director of Better Capital face criminal trial following firm's shock Christmas Day collapse
Messy WHSmith
WHSmith, UK’s #1 High Street & travel location retailer, reported results for full year ended Aug 31st. CEO Stephen Clarke has continued Kate Swann’s 10 years of growth-less complacent ommentary
Will Staples sell
As we revealed from the outset, Staples is exploring the sale of assets to help resolve US antitrust officials’ concerns about its planned takeover of Office Depot. Perhaps Depot's toxic contract division?
Uber couriers
UberRush, the app enabled courier service tested in New York, is now available in those two additional cities, the company said Wednesday.
"Half IT top 100
VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger says that the Dell-EMC deal is part of 'tectonic shift' that will see over 50% of IT top 100 vanish
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
