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Staples: Strip and
Search for buyers
Sycamore shop sunk asset
as Gov/Corp sales plunge
Staples the former #1 office supplier was bought by vulture capitalist Sycamore in 2017. Sales then were $18Bn and today we reckon $8Bn and plunging at $1Bn pa. It's clear that the vulture wants out and has been hawking a sale in Wall Street circles. Staples is closing stores and losing huge delivery business. After closing Essendant we would not be surprised if it buries Staples? Full story here, first...Updated
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Grainger is Go!
New RDC + Acqs
Upgrades Inventory control
Grand opening in Portland
Grainger the progressive $20Bn+ in sales, leading US broadline industrial & business supplier reported accelerating sales momentum in Q2'26. Now its investing in new RDC's and inventory control systems. "Integration of Adroit starts immediately" reported ceo DG MacPherson. Full story here, first...
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HP Inc's Hopeless
Plunge! Imperilled?
Leader-less, Demand-less.
Mkt share less v Lenovo etc.
Old tech giant HPInc's printer & ink sales volumes declined again in Q3'26, disguised by print price hikes. PC demand improved from delivery of AI powered devices, but it lost heavy market share again to Dell & Lenovo. Following the huge top executives' exodus, can the new ceo rescue or get it ready for fire sale? Full report analysis here, first
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Salesforce soars
b e y o n d 45Bn
CRM king elevates AI-CRM,
AgenticCRM revs up +200%
CRM #1 systems provider Salesforce ceo Mark Benioff continued strong growth trends in Q2'27. Its leadership in AI CRM "We just delivered one of our best quarters ever, outperforming across every key metric,” Full analysis here, first
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When will the A I
B u b b l e burst!?
$1Tn capi invested. Where's
the ROI? Winners & losers?
"The US stock market is booming, thanks to artificial intelligence. Tech giants are borrowing billions to acquire AI talent, purchase chips and hardware, and construct data centers. And market watchers are starting to get worried" writes The Atlantic's Annie Lowrey. We discuss her article....
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Smucker: Folgers'
frothy coffee prices
Food & snacks demand dips.
High price hikes lift profits
JMSmucker the US beverage & foodservice brands supplier, reported inflated sales largely from coffee prices, as snack volumes fell in Q1'27. CEO Mark Smucker strangely commented "Our performance reflects the strength of our differentiated portfolio, disciplined execution" Really? Full analysis here, first...
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Zoom boom days
slow in videocoms?
Microsoft, Google & Cisco
chase cloud leader in vain
Zoom Comms the video collaboration specialist progress slowed in Q2'27 as WFH growth tapered but yielded higher profits. The BIG question for ceo Eric Yuan: how can AI boost reinvention and market share (56%) lead over chasing Microsoft's TEAMS (32%)? Report analysis here, first
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BSG: Buying Spree
Group grabs #Five!
Steve Clare's OP dealer rollup
rolls towards £40m revenue
The Business Supplies Group (BSG) has confirmed the acquisition of a small Croydon (UK) based OP dealer, itself based on acquisitions. CCO Steve Clare has led the sequence of southern regional acquisitions since the group merger back in 2022. Who's next? We reach out to Steve to discuss progress and plans. Full story here, first...
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HP's AI Hesitation
loses PC mkt share?
Focus first on goals: networks,
connectivity & cybersecurity
“AI is not new,” HP's Ruth Patterson “I was doing AI 8-10yrs ago. What's new is the productivity acceleration with AI, and that is what we’re seeing with the adoption. It’s moving from curiosity to implementation”. HP has fallen well behind Lenovo and Dell, why? Full story here, first
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The Best, Brightest
B r a n d Identities
Proficiency Index new survey:
OP, Tech & HyPac consumers
As a by-product of Proficiency Index's First Buyers Survey in the HyPac market, (Hygiene, Foodsevice and Packaging) it surveyed what consumers felt were their most favoured. brightest brand names. This survey of decision makers revealed fascinating insights in NY, Boston, London & Manchester and featured original brands, private label and leading resellers. Full report here, first ...updated tomorrow
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A C E average like
HomeDepot-Lowes
Indie marketing group gains
higher prices on flat volume
Ace Hardware the leading member owned, home improvement co-op ceo John Venhuizen reported a flat organic performance in Q2'26 but commented "highest quarterly revenue and earnings in the company's storied history" The group's sales volume was flat similar to rivals Home Depot & Lowes. Full results analysis here, first ....
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