Has Amazon's
Seeking Alpha analyst Bluesea Research opines that Amazon's "revenue slowdown provides a big opportunity for investors". We review the article and highlight opportunities for independent resellers. Later today
Etailers escape
Five years ago, we reported that the rapid OP etailer expansion was peaking, as a result of Amazon's aggression and the incidence of high customer churn from its disloyal 'casual dating' model. Progressive resellers exercising a deep customer intimacy model have achieved sustained success as etailers escape the market...
Etailers maul
Seeking Alpha analyst Wolf Richter reports on the rise and rise of ecommerce at the expense of retail stores especially, the mall locations. We discuss and analyse his findings... Later today
Is it all clicking
"Wayfair, the #1 US furniture reseller is a newly minted Fortune 500 entrant. It has two visionary founders, 2,300 data geeks, and skyrocketing sales. Now it just needs to turn a profit" writes contributgor Jeffrey O'Brien. We discuss his article plus its growing delivery service issues weighing on the brand
AMZN v Walmart
Walmart's steady growth trend has attracted praise from financial press. However, its important to get real when comparing progress v #1 Amazon. Godzilla's US sales online are 6X v Walmart from faster webstore experience & delivery service. We compare the key metrics.....Updated
Will Tariffs trump
The huge hike in tariff rate to 25% proposed on Chinese imports will almost certainly be passed on where possible to consumers. However, will businesses resist particularly on paper-related private label products? Updated
Disconnected
Late last century, normal OP dealer motivation was maximising margins and maintaining relationships with stationery buyers. Enter the digital 2000's, Amazon has led the market with personalised service beyond the buyer to Lucy, the typical user chooser, with faster delivery service across a broader business supplies selection. Time to go beyond the buyer! Complete
Will Bain expand
VC Bain Capital an original investor in Staples has invested in the FM/Hygiene supply market in recent years. In 2017, it bought a top hygiene brand Diversey from Sealed Air and last week took a majority stake in Eastern US jansan reseller Imperial Dade. What's the plan? We look at the options to invest further or flip? Complete
Will A l i b a b a
Alibaba, the Chinese based global ecommerce marketplace giant, formed a 'collaborative partnership' with Office Depot last month. What is Alibaba's intent given that it has yet to penetrate the US market successfully? Complete
Fastest delivery
"Traditional retailers "Walmart and Target are a step ahead of Amazon in delivery moving to same-day" according to retail equity analyst John Zolidis. Keep up, Amazon have been delivering same day to the world's major cities progressively since 2014.
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
Sycamore Partnrs:
Vulture capitalist Sycamore Partners owner of Staples & Essendant recently hiked the former's debt load by $1Bn to $5.2Bn, with estimated interest payments of $400m+ pa or c3%/sales. Many analysts ask: Is this a repeat of the ToysR Us bankruptcy situation; and Sycamore's Nine West demise? We discuss... Complete
Death of Indie
Does size matter? The office market over the past 35yrs has been dominated by bigboxes & Amazon #1 in business supplies, points to a continuation. But emerging trends show the big guys in deep decline & Godzilla grinding. The rise of progressive resellers providing 'personalised productivity services' embracing mobile technology, can & will succeed.. Updated
Private L a b e l
Staples launch of 'Worklife Fulfilment' products is the latest bigbox to push private label following Amazon, Depot's Workonomy; and fated Adveo & old OfficeMax iterations. Meanwhile, core delivery service competence drags. What's the motive? Where's the valid user research? Where's the vendor partnership? Updated
Batten down for
Economic data across advanced global economies have deteriorated since Q3'18, indicating fading growth and the need to prepare for slowing demand reports the Financial Times. Gear your business to help customers save money & time... Provide Managed Productivity Services! Here's how....
Will Groups Grope
Last month the EPIC dealer groups decided to explore consolidation plans. The UK's 8 groups need to decide their futures too. This time a market driven agenda is needed not a bygone buying bias. Can groups adapt to the new broadline business supply future? Updated
The US/Euro
We forecast a US economic slowdown on 20 Aug'18 based on declining growth rates reported by business supplies' makers from Q2'18 thru' Q4'18 plus, pessimistic CEO 2019 outooks. It's happening! So what should dealers do now? Later today
M P S i s d e a d.
The Managed Print Services (MPS) evolution started around 2005; it has grown strongly as it cannibalised the transactional printing business. Paper & print demand continues in terminal decline and now the new MPS: providing 'Managed Productivity Services' for customers should be your priority....Updated
Productivity key
We've spoken w/many leading OP dealers in the US/UK recently. Progressives are positive about future growth prospects and driving a personalised 'managed productivity services' agenda. Here are the key ingredients... Updated
Sycamore: Stick
Sycamore Partners, which bought Staples in 2017 for $7Bn, is planning to recapitalize and load the bigbox with $5Bn+ in debt. Is the vulture capitalist planning an IPO, or typically a sell off, and if so to whom?
'Industry Week'
The Business Supplies Asctn (BSA) plan to rationalise vendors' heavy schedule of 20+pa shows & create an 'Industry Week' has been quashed. Understandably, leading wholesalers & resellers wouldn't cooperate. Great idea, so what's Plan B? We feel thought be given to a more customer centric 'Business Productivity Show' for the IDC. We spoke w/BSA presBarry Lane... Updated
