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
CCL molds FAB
CCL Industries (owner of Avery) leader in specialty label and packaging solutions, has signed an partnership agreement with Korsini from Turkey
Uber $41Bn
Ride-hailing behemoth Uber has been valued at $41 billion, making it one of the most valuable private tech companies in the world.
Wholesalers'
"Wholesalers may die, but the wholesaler role lives forever", so said godfather of OP wholesaling, United's founder Howard Wolf back in the 80's. So true, even if they have struggled in recent years for real growth. Now that's all changing...interviews updated
Willpower your
OP dealers are challenged by new agile, technology powered market entrants e.g. Amazon, Uber. Time to draw on your entrepreneurial spirit and counter attack with your secret weapon....
Sitting is
Sure, standing at your desk all day can be a bit of a pain, but spending the 9-to-5 leaning back or hunched over is terrible for you.
Cisco invests
Internet giant Cisco Systems will invest $1 billion in the U.K. digital economy over next five years, said chairman John Chambers.
Get fit in
In a country plagued by obesity, reduction efforts should be applauded. And so, a growing number of companies are installing "active" workstations
Container Store
The Container Store, whose market capitilization has fallen 60% in 18 months, reported declining sales trends for Q1'16. Start entertaining customers, stop blaming outside forces...
Apple Watch
Last night news broke that Apple Watch sales were down 85% since it went on sale according to Slice Media.
Jawbone bites
Jawbone has filed another legal action against rival fitness tracker company Fitbit – the third in two months.
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