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Is 'Working From
Home' Working?
Do bosses agree/disagree
flexibility boosts productivity?
The evidence about whether flexible working improves productivity is mixed, but many businesses have already made up their mind. The UK government wants to make it harder for employers to block flexible working requests, with hybrid work becoming the norm. We discuss the findings of TheTimes' economics-business editors team...
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Softcat secures
1st US acquisition
“Capability, scale, culture,
a compelling combination"
Leading UK IT solutions provider Softcat's ceo Graham Charlton tells CRN about its 2nd acquisition and its first in the US. "It took a 5yr search screening multiple targets. This was the right fit given the combination of capability and culture” he says. Full story here, first including what's next...
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Stiff'emall Sycamore
reneges WARN Act
Vulture closes Essendant
robs employees 30days pay
As ProficiencyPost reported exclusively on 3 Aug'26 vulture Sycamore confirmed closure of Essendant stating it would pay 60 days WARN Act severance to 15Oct for 400 employees. On 27Aug, it announced shutdown on 1Sep, plus an illegal 30 days cut of employees pay and benefits. We understand a law firm is moving forward with a class action to force rectification. Full story here, first...
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AMZN accelerates
same day delivery
'Project Mercury' would grow
FC's to 1000 hubs by 2031
Amazon is preparing a major expansion of its same-day delivery infrastructure in the US. Project Mercury, would grow fulfillment to more than 1,000 local hubs by 2031, up from 85 currently. Meanwhile, old competitors like Staples are promoting slow, inept service on half the business supply range? Full story here, first...
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WHSmith offside
as US stores slide
Messy customer svce fails to
dampen airport convenience
Troubled international news and stationery retailer WHSmith reported a flat trading update for FY'26. New exec chairman Leo Quinn said “Solid peak trading and initial self-help to deliver full year profits in line with expectations" Really disappointing comment? Full analysis here, first...
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3M's new 'forever
chemicals' case?
PFAS Water liabilities $12Bn;
EarPlugs $6Bn. What's next?
Plaintiffs say ‘forever chemicals’ in turnout gear increase risk of cancer by absorption and inhalation. A federal judge said more than 20 defendants including 3M, DuPont and Honeywell face claims by firefighters who said their protective gear was contaminated by toxic “PFAS”. Will the huge claims anchor 3M's already receding innovation and stalled growth even further? Full story here.first...
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Staples: Makes
choices HARD?
New campaign obsolete
v AMZN one source era
40yrs after opening its first store, Staples marks its anniversary with a new promot campaign. It's built around "the idea businesses have a choice on how work gets done: Hard way v Easy way". Too late given Staples' slow half-service reputation? Full analysis here, first...
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Add CXP Services
for Future success
Lessons from leaders in tech:
Customer Productivity... First!
"The IT services market in the channel is bigger than the hardware market. It was 10yrs ago and still is!" writes Alex Tatham ex-MD of IT distributor Westcoast. Resellers in the business supply market have traditionally been 'box shifters'. Now they need to offer managed productivity services – strategic and technical. Can they step up? We case study the ones that have...later today
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Personalization
beats fast product?
McD: “Price important, but
CXP paramount to customers"
After spending $M's on digital kiosks and mobile-ordering systems, fast-food chains are discovering most customers just want somebody to take their order at the counter and do so in a friendly way, according to executives, market-research, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. A huge lesson for transactionally minded resellers in the business supply market. Full story here, first...
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Will P B S bailout
bankrupt Buroring?
German group+wholesaler
alliance the optimal option?
Earlier this year, beleagured German dealer group Büroring and wholesaler PBS Deutschland joined forces to streamline logistics, product ranges, and support for OP dealers. On 19Aug, Buroring called an EGM which caused speculation the organisations were considering a merger or worse bankruptcy for the group? Today, the group confirmed it was in Administration. Will PBS rescue? Full story here, first...
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Greedflation: guilty
parties exposed!
Brands & distributors report
record i n f l a t e d profits
'Greedflation' caused by the Covid/Wars induced inflation surge, spiked corp profits to all-time highs. This was true in the business supplies market where up to +20%pa price increases were common, even with declining paper and OP volumes. Now Trump tariffs and Iran war energy shocks have surged record earnings again whilst consumer demand has flattened. Full analysis here, first... updated
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