WFH Winners
Amazon's amazing 40% growth to reach $10Bn in business supplies during the Covid quarter exposed the huge deficiencies in service levels from traditional OP dealers. Amazon became the default 'first call' supplier for 'Everything WFH supplies'. In spite of its dominance, many responsive progressive dealers pivoted powerfully to the new immediate market standards. We highlight the winners....Updated
Less means more
There's no doubt after 5mos of Covid lockdown & 'WFH' that future trends have been brought forward. Consider the acceleration in technology use by all ages: MCommerce, less commuting, Zoom meetings & conferences; hygiene, safety, health & wellness awareness; protective packaging. Moreover the shift towards a greener more sustainable world. We discuss the trends. Updated
Print/papermakers
Most leading OP, Paper & Print makers reported severe sales declines in Q2'20. Printer Paper demand is down 60%+ since 2008; another -30% in Q2;the shift to hygiene and packaging is huge. We analyse Q2 results. Updated today for Domtar
Deceitful Depot
Newly named ODP Corporation (ex-Office Depot-OfficeMax), sank at a deepening rate in Q2'20. OP core sales were crushed with hygiene essentials in retail & online softening the decline. We analyse CEO Gerry 'Smudger' Smith's hollow & misleading commentary and update on the 'white knight' life saver.
Will SPR investors
After many failed attempts Genuine Parts finally sold SPRichards to an Investor Group led by TSR's enterprising chief Yancey Jones (pic left). What's the plan? Will it continue a buying group bias or invest in broadline business supply to compete with Amazon? We review
Kodak collapses
Eastman Kodak reported rapidly declining results in Q2'20. Chairman Jim Continenza appointed in Feb'19 has achieved little to rescue the iconic brand's core business and is now embroiled in controversy over the suspicious $765m government loan to convert facilities into making dodgy drugs
PFG/Vistar: food
Performance Food Group (PFG inc. Vistar), the leading US food & beverage services wholesaler reported declining organic sales in Q4'20, hit by Covid in business supply. Two major acquisitions, one in convenience store supply, boosted overall sales growth
Brother browses
As WFH lockdown eases and businesses plan for a phased return, printermaker Brother surveyed a sample of UK office employees to find out how they feel about returning to the office, exploring which daily routines they miss most and their biggest concerns. We discuss
HD Supply hives
As PP reported in July before Covid the $6Bn in sales leading industrial supplier HD Supply was planning to equally split its FM and construction businesses. Given the upside potential of the FM division and the surprisingly buoyant construction operation, we opined it was a good time to act. The deal is done, a VC has bought the White Cap business
Foodservice fights
Foodservice supply leaders to business & restaurants Sysco & US Foods reported disastrous results in latest Q2'20 (Q4 for Sysco). Denied a merger in 2015 the full service rivals are seeking different courses of action going forward
Back to School:
What will Back-to-School shopping look like this year? The school year is going to look different in light of Covid. How are parents thinking? What are their plans to prepare for the upcoming term? We analyse and comment on what is expected to be a bumper year...
Kodak's dodgy
On 28 July rusty old camera maker and near bankrupt, Kodak was shockingly awarded a $765m+ government loan to make the controversial & unproven hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drug. Uproar followed and now a special committee of independent directors will look into the matter
W e s t c o a s t's
European independent tech distributor Westcoast recently reported 2019 financials inc. XMA tech services. Sales continue to grow double digits boosted by strong education & health care demand during Covid; and are forecast to reach $4Bn this year. We spoke with MD Alex Tatham
Hummels hikes
Hummels Office Plus the Mohawk, NY State business supplier has acquired a local rival to consolidate its position in the region dominated by WBMason. We discuss the move with CEO Justin Hummel, on Monday
Essentials e x i t s
Office Depot, the $9Bn beleaguered bigbox office supplier, continued to distract from its declining core sales, by acquiring larger dealers. The latest Office Essentials, St.Louis (MO), is the regional market leader. We review market exodus of independent OP resellers, including the status of the large member group, Pinnacle. Tuesday
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