Apple's WWDC
Apple's WWDC 2019 Event keynote was basically Christmas for fans. Almost every single device made — from the iPhone and iPad, to the Watch, HomePod and AirPods — all got some love during the 2 hour marathon address where it made
multiple announcements and improvements
Steelcase Flexes
"Steelcase aims to give teams more control" writes GRBJ's Rachel Watson. The #1 furniture maker's NeoCon showroom will display products that offer the ability to shift between group and private work. We preview some examples...
VC Bain boosted
Imperial Dade, the largely Eastern US reseller of paper, hygiene, food service & packaging supplies, resumed its rapid roll up of regional specialists following the new capital injection of Bain Capital, announced last month
Depot turnaround
Seeking Alpha analyst Daniel Tacken opines that "Office Depot is valued for distress, but the business is turning around". We review his case that the patient is "transforming itself into a relevant business retailer". Complete
Apple Watch
Apple will debut the next major Watch OS6 update at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 3. Due to be released in September will reportedly bring a standalone App Store in addition to new health features. Watch this space!
Dell delivers
Dell Technologies reported slowing growth in core categories in Q1'20 but a return to profitability after a roller coaster year of distractions.
Costco's AMZN
Costco Wholesale, the $140Bn broadline consumer & business supplies reseller, reported a slower growth rate in Q3'19 than 2018 rates. It's continues to work on its woeful webstore to match the user friendly Amazon experience
Aramark a VC
Investment firm Mantle Ridge is exploring forming a consortium with private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds to make an offer for Aramark, the $8Bn food & facilities services provider
FedEx finally
Delivery giant FedEx, will begin delivering 7 days/week for most of US starting January 2020. Has laggard CEO Fred Smith, a huge critic of flexible customer service etailers like Amazon, at last got the 'immediacy' need message
Tech Data turns
Tech Data, the $35Bn in sales global #2 wholesaler of tech products reported slower growth results for Q1'20. Post the big Avnet sales are now reliant on slower organic performance that is losing share
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
Will ODP Federate
Beleaguered Office Depot made its 10th dealer acquisition in May, since its Federation drive started in Oct'17. PP sources understand another batch may join in Q3. Given Depot's fragile market capitalisation, what are wholesalers doing to defend a potential dealer exodus? Updated
Staples stokes up
As indicated at Essendant's CORE event in Feb, Staples has combined purchasing power and demanded substantial cost price reductions from vendors. The big question is what savings will be invested in dealer competitiveness and how much pocketed by vulture capitalist owner Sycamore Partners? We discuss... Updated
Papermakers'
The Big 3 US papermakers' cartel behaviour persists. After the Georgia Pacific mill closure saga induced panic buying ahead of a phantom March price increase, distributors stocked to the rafters. Now with demand sliding are the domestic makers propagating near capacity limits to boost another price increase claim? On Monday inc latest papermakers reports
Dealers' decision
Back in 1994, the OP wholesalers led the stockless dealer drive that fuelled the expansion of single source supplier success. Now with uncertainty surrounding wholesalers' future, its decision making time for dealers. We explore the options available for those who are committed to becoming broadline business suppliers. Updated
Logistics leaders
Q2'19 results season is upon us with consumer & business supplies' brand CEO's expected to report a further slowdown that started in Q3'18. Leading laggards are the logistics giants including FedEx, JBHunt, XPO, CSX & UPS. We preview the trends....Updated
'Paperless' paused
Big businesses have removed or changed their messaging since the inception of pro-paper campaign group Two Sides in 2008. Accused of 'greenwash' those promoting a paperless comms future based on greater speed, efficiency and carbon emission reduction should be regroup and focus on the positives of digital comms.
Will AMZN Prime
The ads are incessant for Prime Day, Amazon’s two-day shopping event for members only, July 15 and 16. Perhaps you even caught the live-streamed Taylor Swift concert that kicked off the festivities. Fast Company's Mark Wilson reckons its a con. We discuss his case....
Fakebook fine a
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has agreed to a $5bn settlement with Facebook over it's deceitful use of private data. e.g. selling info to Microsoft. 'Fakebook' even violated a firewall & budgeted the penalty precisely. Who's Zucking who?
Newell Brands in
The collapse of the Newell house of brands post the disastrous $16Bn Jarden acquisition in 2016 continues. The uncertainty hanging over the heads of executives leading valuable assets is palpable. What's next for brands like Rubbermaid, Papermate/Sharpie, Dymo, Elmers? We discuss.... later today
Can SPOT stop
Vulture capitalist Better Capital owner of SPOT, the mongrel mix of Spicers & Officeteam, has reported 2018 financial results. As expected it continued to bleed losses from mismanagement of a dealer group contract and huge paper price increases. Surely, CEO Jon Moulton (pic left) will terminate its tortuous tenure soon?
What Lucy wants
A c m e United