H o w N o w
VOW, the leading UK OP wholesaler, part of the EVO Group, continued its 10yr long decline in 2021 in spite of acquisitions, the collapse of rival Spicers; and ignorantly missed, broadline business supply expansion opportunities. Moreover, losses continued. What happened to VC owner Endless' much lauded investment in growth initiatives?
Healthy Hygiene
Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q3'22 analysis is nearing completion with brands' volumes slowing, boosted by double digit price hikes. Complete
Can dealers pass
We've written exhaustively about the need for OP dealers to convert from 'transactional' product suppliers to 'personalised productivity services' providers inc. hygiene, foodservice & packaging. Amazon is winning the transactional battle with same day delivery of broadline business supplies to WFH users. Can dealers pass the 3pt conversion test? We discuss and highlight the best practice services providers? Complete
Industrial supply
Q3'22 financial reports for leading industrial supply distributors are nearing completion e.g. Fastenal, Motion, MSC, Grainger, Wesco, Arrow, Berry, DXP show double-digit sales growth boosted by price hikes; and higher profits. Proficiency Index reviews the performance of the Top 20 US distributors in 2022 with insightful analysis and discussion with leaders, progress and plans for 2023. Updated
'OPeless, OPaque
Proficiency Index is reaching the conclusion of Q3'22 reports analysis. It has become obvious that many OP market CEO's, who have failed to reinvent their companies, are in denial; and desperately trying to mislead the market over their incompetence. We highlight the Top 10 losers and contrast with Top 10 winners...
Top 2010 Resellers
Bigbox market shares were declining back in 2010. Staples, Depot-Max suffered as Amazon surged & progressive dealers gained. What has happened since? We chart the performance of Top 30 resellers in US & UK and identify the leaders in the new broadline business supply market in 2022... Updated, more to follow
'Hybrid Work
The Indeed Hiring Lab and Glassdoor Economic Research teams have joined forces to shed light on what the coming years will bring to the labour market, and how these trends will impact employers, employees, and the future of work. Proficiency Index analyses the report and compares with business supply/services market research....
Healthy Hygiene
Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q3'22 analysis is nearing completion with brands' volumes slowing, boosted by double digit price hikes. Complete
Industrial supply
Q3'22 financial reports for leading industrial supply distributors are nearing completion e.g. Fastenal, Motion, MSC, Grainger, Wesco, Arrow, Berry, DXP show double-digit sales growth boosted by price hikes; and higher profits. Proficiency Index reviews the performance of the Top 20 US distributors in 2022 with insightful analysis and discussion with leaders, progress and plans for 2023. Updated
Strategy strength
Merger mania rages in the HOT hygiene supply market. 80 acqs have been completed by VC Advent's Imperial Dade and FEMSA's Envoy. Expect deals to reach 100+ by year-end in an $8Bn+ roll up. Proficiency Index analyses progress inc. who wins: Envoy's growth strategy or VC owners? Will latter invest in integrating systems or...strip and flip? Complete
Furniture mkt on
Furniture Market Review Q2'22: Covid crushed the corporate furniture market. Leading makers reported 30%+ demand declines, are still not back to norm. Meanwhile, WFH suppliers like Amazon, Wayfair, DWR (Miller) exploded with record revenues. We review leaders and new hybrid work developments accelerating the WFH, worklife confluence & ergonomics movement. Updated
Top Foodservice
Dining service evolved at a slow pace until Covid disrupted the industry and ushered in a new era for foodservice needs. Restaurant operators and suppliers had to adapt to new challenges in supply and staffing shortages and higher 'touchless' hygiene standards...
What Lucy wants
Healthy Hygiene
The #Paperless #Officeless #Touchless future is happening bigtime! Now hygiene is the #1 business supply category alongside tech. Progressive business suppliers: brand makers, dealers & MSP's have pivoted to sell customers hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech and wellness services. Q2'22 analysis complete, showing big brands volumes slowing in spite of double digit price inflation
The Proficiency
The Q2'22 reporting season is reaching a conclusion. Proficiency Index has analysed results to date and separated out the price inflation element from real volume performance. For example, Stora, Grainger, Navigator, IP, UPS, & Veritiv, all reported inflated profits fueled by high price hikes; a total of 80+ companies analysed to date...Updated
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