FedEx: fearful &
FedEx CEO Fred 'Smug' Smith reported flat sales in spite of big price increases, disguising serious decline. He continued his arrogant behaviour towards etailers, falling out with Amazon & undercut by more flexible delivery services inc. Uber...
Staples asset
PP Sources have confirmed details of the latest people purge at vulture capitalist Sycamore owned Staples. We publish the comprehensive leavers list and reactions from insiders & partners following the story we broke early this month...
AMZN fix search
In a blockbuster investigative report by Wall Street Journal's Dana Mattioli, Amazon is accused of changing search algorithms in order to promote its own more profitable products. Moreover, it overcame dissent from its own engineers and lawyers
Why AMZN boss
Amazon accounted for nearly 37% of US online market spend in 2018 according to Internet Retailer estimates. Inspite of Government opposition, FTC inquiries & its own CRaP policies it has taken a 30% share of resellers' potential business supplies spend, almost without anybody noticing. We explan why and how... Later today, sorry
Flex Tech takes
Leading managed tech services provider Flex Technology Group backed by VC Oval Partners, today announced a second acquisition in recent months with a premier office technology provider in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Amazon under
A team of Federal Trade Commission investigators has begun interviewing small businesses that sell products on Amazon to determine whether the e-commerce giant is using its market power to hurt competition. Is this just another 'straw that threatens to break the camel's back' in its business supplies marketplace?
Pacific Office getsPP Sources indicate that Pacific Office Automation, the fast growing Beaverton (OR) managed technology services provider is in talks to acquire a major Denver based dealer. Consolidation based M&A in the MPS space is accelerating..... Later today
HD Supply hits
HD Supply, a leading US industrial distributor today reported much slower Q2'19 financial results, running at a fraction of 2018 growth rates. CEO originally blamed unfavourable weather earlier in the year but growth rates have tapered dramatically since
Shopify buys 3PV
Shopify the leading multi-channel commerce platform, has reached an agreement to acquire a leading provider of collaborative warehouse fulfillment solutions that some leading bigbox resellers use...
Amazon hiring
Amazon is holding job fairs across the country next week, aiming to hire 30,000 people by early next year. It wants to fill a variety of positions from software engineers to warehouse workers.
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
Staples strip
Rumours on the street about another round of employee cutbacks at Staples have been confirmed. The bigbox is doubling down on building its front line sales & deivery force and reducing its administrative overheads. Updated
Mason Delivers
US #1 independent business supplier WBMason, held its 7th Annual Consumer Show of 2019 at Fenway Park, home of Boston Red Sox yesterday. We report on all the action, hot new products and interviews with WB and vendors' leaders.
Innovative Open
Innovative Office Solutions, the leading progressive productivity services provider, based in Minneapolis will hold an Open House event at Minnesota Vikings, US Bank stadium later today. We review the show with CEO Jennifer Smith...tomorrow
Genuine Pts sell
Genuine Parts, the $18Bn in sales parent of NAPA, Motion & SPRichards has sold off its EIS Electricals business. It raises the question again: Is CEO Paul Donahue refocusing on its successful auto and industrial supply businesses and will the stalled SPR be the next disposal?
HP inks printer
Old tech giant, HP Inc's, overall sales growth continued to flatten in its Q3'19.. Meanwhile departing CEO Dion Weisler maintained his "innovation" hype in spite of another weak market performance. Will the long serving print veteran, new CEO be able to reinvent the fading force? Updated
Overstock CEO
Patrick Byrne resigned as CEO of embattled Overstock.com today saying he had to quit after disclosure of his relationship with a woman accused of being a Russian agent. Morever, and conveniently his desperate performance and distraction from its core business with cryptocurrency TZero
Complete catches
Complete Business Solutions, the leading UK business supplier continued its rapid rollup strategy by completing its largest acquisition Bluefish Office, the #1 SMidlands/Home Counties dealer. We spoke with CEO's Richard Coulson and Mark Heath.
Vexed Veritiv to
Veritiv the $7Bn in sales paper merchant continued to crash and burn. Market capitalisation has sunk 65% this year to $268m+. Now it plans to shutter foodservice, jansan and industrial supplies distributor Saalfeld. What's going on?
Acco attracted to
According to NY Post report this morning, OP maker Acco Brands may be involved in a bidding war for embattled screen protection marketer Zagg. We've seen this play out before. The entrepreneurial marketer gets killed by old school corporate culture e.g. Kensington brand
Home Depot's
Home Depot the $108Bn+ home & business improvement supplier continued to report a slowdown in direct sales in Q2'19. In contrast its $3Bn PRO (ex Supply Works) wholesale division is gaining strength with business service providers....
