Staples strips to
It's now 3 months since vulture capitalist Sycamore Partners owned Staples parted ways with chief Sandy Douglas. Meanwhile, proxy chairman John Lederer has assumed control without appointing a replacement? Will it ever happen and how will this affect the future of its $14Bn business delivery interests inc. wholesaler Essendant? Updated
B2U marketing
Business supply resellers (B2B) need to make digital connections and provide personalized experiences when selling to users (eg. Lucy, beyond the trad buyers. Here are 3 strong digital ways for dealers to reach Lucy (B2U marketing) provided by experts Mike McLaren of MerkleB2B and Julia Doheny of B2B International. We discuss...
"You can't be fired
Amazon continues to grow its broadline business supplies category to an estimated $60Bn+ worldwide in 2021. Our conversations with contract OP dealers indicate a huge underestimation of Amazon's penetration in corporate accounts. Moreover, it is now #1 wholesaler to dealers in all the major marketplaces.... Updated
Beyond paperclips
2021 will be the 10th year running we have urged OP dealers to move from the paper dominated office supply market towards the paperless office where users need tools & services to help gain productivity e.g. IT, hygiene, ergonomics. Here's our latest practical guidelines & progressive dealer case studies to aid your transition...Updated
Bouncebackability
Reports are flowing in fast for business supply players in Q2'21 and predictably show strong positive growth v Q2'20, but how do they compare with the pre-Covid 'norm'? Proficiency Index reports the leaderboard of vendors, wholesalers and dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance v Q2'19. Updated daily... Full commentary inc. Target, Walmart, Home Depot, PFG/Vistar
Foodservice fights
Foodservice supply leaders to business & restaurants Sysco & US Foods reported rapid recoveries in their latest quarterly reports. Denied a merger in 2015 the full service rivals are seeking different courses of action going forward. We compare....
Insight recovers
Insight Group CEO Ken Lamneck reported a strong rebound in organic sales in Q2'21. The group lags leading IT resellers e.g. CDW, Compucenter, Softcat & Synnex. There are signs of sustained growth over the past 2 years as it plays catch up....
Veritiv talespinning
Veritiv, the leading US paper & packaging wholesaler, paused from its terminal tailspin. As an 'essentials' supplier its sales decline rate v competitors is shocking. New ceo Sal Abbate has started to drive its packaging strategy pivot. Recent rapid 4X market cap momentum indicate a take over rescue bid is imminent? Who's interested?
Energizer elevates
Energizer the enterprising personal care & battery supplier to businesses, maintained strong organic sales growth in Q3'21. It has regained extra battery power with expanded US distribution under the new ceo.
Verso Paper's
Verso Paper, the slimmed down $1Bn papermaker, has engaged strategic financial advisers to pursue a possible merger or sale. Q2'21 results confirm its seriously critical position including mill closures and sale of another to adjust to declining demand
Printermakers pull
The big 6 Japanese printer makers reported remarkably similar +20-30% growth in Q2'21 based on Covid crushed Q2'20. Most did not recover to pre-Covid norms. So how will these major makers reinvent themselves? We analyse results and comment on plans and progress...
CCL label sales'
CCL Industries, the $5Bn in sales specialist labelmaker, reported a sustained ecovery in Q2'21 with Covid 'essentials' market channel sales offsetting the non-essential market collapse e.g. Avery business/events market.
Cascades Pckng
Leading Canadian tissue & packaging board maker Cascades reported mixed results in Q2'21. CEO Mario Piourde's optimism was dented by Covid's negative affect on business tissue sales but boosted by higher packaging demand especially in foodservice
Mondi packaging
Mondi Group, the €7Bn in sales international paper & packaging maker reported strong packaging and weak papaer sales in Q2'21. CEO Andrew King commented on its broad range of innovative, sustainable packaging solutions, and higher average containerboard prices
Nasstar nails down
Leading UK progressive MSP Nasstar continued its remarkable progress by confirming acquisition of KCOM's national ICT services business. "We're delighted with the enthusiasm received from KCOM customers to the deal" reported ceo Wayne Churchill.
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