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
Sealed Air growth
Sealed Air Corporation, the $5Bn maker of protective packaging for Food & FM products reported a deman decline in Q1'20 with acquisitions boosting soft sales. CEO Ted Doheny credited its 'Reinvent' strategy for profit improvements
Wayfair wonder
Wayfair, the $10Bn in sales US/UK home & office furnishings etailer, continued to scale up to meet demand from micro businesses. It reported strong, but rapidly decelerating growth again in Q1'20, as it tries to overcome well publicised leadership & delivery service issues
Acco: slip, slip,
Acco Brands, ex-OP making leader, reported continued sales decline in Q1'20. The complacent CEO Boris Ellison has failed to adapt to the broader business supply market opportunities and continues to double down in the extinct OP segment?
Salesforce Work
Salesforce is launching a slew of of tools under Work.com, which will allow employers to track employee health through surveys and organize employee shifts to maintain social distancing. CEO Marc Benioff said that companies will likely return to work while the virus still exists, so employers need to prepare.
Microsoft delays
Microsoft confirms the "pivot" to refocusing Windows 10X on single-screen devices. The launch of the dual screen Surface Neo has been shelved during the Covid induced 'Work From Home' period
Will Covid kill the
The modern office is renowned for open, collaborative work spaces, in-house coffee bars and standing desks with room for multi-screen monitors. "Soon, there may be a new must-have perk: the sneeze guard" writes Matt Richtel of NY Times. We discuss and opine on his fascinating insights...
Market is about
Over the past 25yrs, OP dealers have graduated to the huge hygiene supply market via jansan supplies. This 'cherry picking' commodity pricing approach has largely failed. Time to shift to a specialist hygiene & safety system supply service, exemplified best by progressive resellers. We discuss their successes.... Updated
PFG/Vistar: food
Performance Food Group (PFG inc. Vistar), the leading US food & beverage services wholesaler reported declining organic sales in Q3'20, hit by Covid in business supply. Two major acquisitions, one in convenience store supply, boosted overall sales growth
Bezos summoned
The House Judiciary Committee demanded yesterday that Amazon chief Jeff Bezos testify after leaders said they suspected him of lying to Congress. The summons relates to a WSJ investigation we reviewed on 23 April entitled 'Amazon CRaP exposed again...'
Samsonite bags
Global luggage leader Samsonite reported slower organic growth in US/international markets damaged by internal fraud investigations aftermath and affects of US tariffs on imported products. CEO Kyle Gendreau has just organised a new loan to cover the Covid crisis
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