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Rethink what
Clean means!
ISSA NAmerica Show
Heightens Hygiene
ISSA just celebrated its 100th Anniversary in Las Vegas. The theme of the event was 'Rehink what Clean means!'. Last year 11000 cleaning industry pros attended the show. The past couple of years has seen the HyPac market consolidate with over 100 acqs by Imperial & 'Brandvoy' ramping up $10Bn+ in the hands of VC owned operators. We report on the main takeaways includimg The Innovation Awards
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Halting H y P a c
market normalizes
Volumes flat. Prices up
Who's winning mkt share?
Hygiene, Foodservice & Packaging (HyPac) is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers & brands have pivoted into hygiene, safety, food service, packaging & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q3'23 analysis shows volumes recovering slowly but prices peaking. Updated for KPTissue, Cascades, Berry, Brady, Sappi, Suzano, Smurfit; and Veritiv next week
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Strong consumer
pivots to services
Essentials spend strong.
Discretionary spend dips
"Consumer spend fell in October, according to CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor tracking card transactions" reported CNBC's Steve Liesman. This media's recession obsession for the past 2 years has been proved wrong, as restaurants, hotels and personalised buying experience providers e.g. Starbucks. Amazon thrive
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Walmart walking
back to 'normal'?
Ecom better at 15%/sales.
Consumers still 'choiceful'
Walmart, ex-#1 global retailer reported steady volume growth and improved profitability in its Q3'24. It continued to ape Amazon's initiatives in vain, and benefited from higher ticket prices and traffic. CEO Doug McMillon's barebones commentary provided positive guidance for the rest of '23/4. We analyse commentary + analysts Q&A session. Updated
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3 D P r i n t i n g
sinking s l o w l y
Will 3DS/Stratasys survival
depend on merger plan?
3D printing leaders Stratasys & 3DSystems recovered from pre Covid norm, but losses continued in Q3'23. The 3D market bubble has truly burst, yet management is in denial,. Meanwhile, both are consolidating acquistions, divesting eg. Makerbot, to deflect from organic decline and a merger may still be on inspite of 3DS' offer rejections to date. Updated
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Alibaba's advance
decelerates again
New services mirror AMZN
initiatives in Alexa & Cloud
China's Alibaba, the $120Bn+ in sales, MCommerce giant reported a continued but slower recovery in Q2'24. New ceo Eddie Wu provided details of new services in AI, cloud, grocery delivery & VA ordering that copycat Amazon's innovations. The new CEO comments on the management reorganization
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Brady brakes
in identification
Weak workplace safety
saved by price inflation
Brady Corp the $1.3Bn in sales, Identification & workplace safety specialists, reported stronger demand in its Q1'24. CEO Russell Shaller opaquely commented without analysis of its ID solutions business; actions to improve the weaker workplace safety segment and progress with its latest acquisition.
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Berry in decline
across the board
Losing share in a slower
hygiene & packaging mkt
Leading $13Bn protective packaging maker Berry Global reported declines in volume in all 4 market segments inc. health & hygiene division in Q4'23. New CEO Kevin Kwilinski's commentary and analysis was much clearer on declining profits, volumes and prices, Report Analysis here
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Lenovo down large.
Recovery in sight?
Infrastructure & Svcs good
PC market sinks; still leader
Lenovo the international PC & mobile giant reported a big volume drop in Q2'24 but still maintained its lead as #1 PC maker. "The infrastructure and IT Services group progressed and their are positive recovery signs in PC demand" reported ceo Yuanqing Yang
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Microsoft's Copilot
boosts productivity
Ignite 2023 Conference
launches accelerator chips
Microsoft designed AI accelerator chips; holograms to help industrial workers repair equipment; and a studio experience for using data outside its offerings to power the vendor’s Copilot generative artificial intelligence offering, are unveiled at Ignite 2023.
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Ace's pace picks
up in WFH market
Dealer group increases
market share v bigboxes
Ace Hardware the leading dealer owned, home improvement cooperative, reported stronger growth in Q3'23. The best practice model group, increased market share vs Home Depot & Lowes, proving the power of personalized marketing and convenience over a buying group mentality. Full results analysis here....
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