Hybrid work is
Is the 'Greenwash'
There's been much PR and social media postings by makers and distributors promoting their sustainability credentials. How much is genuine and how much is sham posturing aka 'greenwash'? Certainly there are doubts about printer paper claims given the toxic journey between makers, distributors, users, mailing and recycling. We explore....Updated
Depot distraction
Beleaguered bigbox ODP Corp (aka-Depot-Max) has leaked that more acquisitions under its faux 'Federation' distraction platform can be expected. With many dealers under pressure post-Govt Covid relief, could major Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas' resellers be in play? We discuss ceo Gerry 'Bizarro' Smith's latest attempt to distract attention away from its dire demise...
S t o c k l e s s
Is the end nigh for stockless dealers? Back in the 2019 'normal' days, dealers were struggling with a slowing economy. Then, Covid crashed the corp office market. Then, Government relief ran out last year. Now consolidation is happening? Moreover, wholesalers raised prices above inflation squeezing dealers competitiveness? The BIG question is how will transactional dealers survive? Should we expect larger progressives to lead an acquisition wave in the business supply market? We investigate latest market views. Later today ...
Are limping locals
'Buy Local' campaigns have been promoted by dealer groups for 30 years, largely as defensive plays v bigbox attacks. But, what user benefits do they offer in terms of personalized productivity gains v the increasingly local and faster Amazon army of resellers? We discuss and offer guidance...Updated
Top 10 Women
The OP market has traditionally been dominated by men. Times 'they are a changing' as the most successful, progressive leaders are increasingly inspired by their women marketers. All nominations are in. We publish results below:
#SPLODGE: "No
A top FTC regulator has recommended “No deal” on the Staples takeover of Office Depot. The odds of the merger happening are now 4-1 against, which will disappoint the over confident Chainsaw Smith & Co... and competitors!
W/Salers follow
OP wholesalers in the US/UK have traditionally done a fine job fuelling dealers growth plans. Now industry disruptor Amazon has set the bar higher, dealers need even more support to provide their stockless, single source business service...Complete
Grainger grinds
As most in the business supply industry know, progress at the $10Bn MRO distributor Grainger has been less than positive in recent months. New COO DG McPherson analyses its position...
CRM driven
Willy Loman, the beleaguered road warrior of “Death of a Salesman,” wouldn’t recognize the tech-dependent sales team at GuideSpark. Welcome to the new age of the C-level capable sales person...
Bluefish answers
Last Tuesday, we visited one of the UK's most progressive resellers, Bluefish in Northampton. CEO Mark Heath followed his father Peter into the OP business, starting in 2000 and has made relentless progress creating a specialised supply model.
Bunzl faces
From 5 October UK Government has ruled that big retailers must charge 5p each for plastic carrier bags. Similar shemes in Scotland & NI have caused usage to fall by 80%
Apple blocks ad
Apple iPhone owners rushed to download mobile anti-advertising software last week after being bombarded with too many intrusive ads, the industry was caught off-guard by a furious mass backlash.
Crystal Rock
Crystal Rock, the US Northeast water and OP dealer, announced another serious decline in financial results Q3'15 ended 31 Jul'15. The CEO is livng in cloud cuckooland with platitudinous commentary
Differentiate Too many distributors just sell products thereby missing opportunities to differentiate with managed productivity services. If you just sell product, Amazon wins every time. How many different ways can customers buy the products you sell?
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