What Lucy wants
Proficiency Index's 15th Annual Businesswomen Buying Survey, primarily users (typically Lucy) with executive power, is more valuable than ever. It provides even greater insight into the latest trends in mobile shopping for business.....Report on Monday
2019 Champions
We've concluded the Proficiency Index Dealer Productivity 2019 Half Year Review, the most universally accepted indicator of dealer profitability. Dealers have submitted sales forecasts for 2019/current employee numbers (FTE's). We'll finalise the numbers and publish championship leaderboard... Updated
Sustainability
'World Environment Day 2019' was hosted by Hangzhou city in China on 5 June. The theme was cutting 'Air Pollution'. We invited dealers, distributors and manufacturers to submit details of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and progress. We highlight the criteria and will review progress throughout July inc. case studies. Updated
Wholesalers'
Modern Distribution Management's (MDM) 14th annual economic benchmarks for wholesalers report examines sales, inventory levels, gross margin, productivity and other critical benchmark data trends for 19 sectors in the distribution industry. We benchmark best practices in business supplies.....Updated
OP/Papermakers'
Most leading OP, Paper & Print makers have now reported a Q1'19 sales slowdown. We analyse the market, comparative performance and any plans for reinvention. Paper demand is plunging, but price hikes disguise the decline, spiralling down 50% since 2008 Complete & updated for HP results today
Mobile Webstore
We've hammered home the mobile webstore imperative for 9 years now. Yet still less than 20 resellers in US/UK have responded to Amazon, Wayfair & Staples moves that drive huge sales volumes with users. We review leaders' progress inc. Staples' new webstore... Updated later today
Top FoodService
The US FoodService market (exc. food) is estimated at $300Bn and grew at 3-4% over recent years. Some of the leading progressive business suppliers are making early inroads. We study the Top 20 players and rising stars.
R e t a i l 
The Young GenZ
Generation Z (GenZ), comprise consumers born between 1995-2005, just entering prime spending years. GenZ’s are mobile, social & ethically conscious & represent 25% of market spend potential. We discuss Fortegra's Steve Davison research paper.... Updated
Omnichannel
Internet Retailer’s 2019 Omnichannel Report reveals which top retailers omnichannel services fare best and which need improvement. We compare bigboxes Walmart, Staples, Depot & Home Depot with Amazon...
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
Will ODP Federate
Beleaguered Office Depot made its 10th dealer acquisition in May, since its Federation drive started in Oct'17. PP sources understand another batch may join in Q3. Given Depot's fragile market capitalisation, what are wholesalers doing to defend a potential dealer exodus? Updated
Staples stokes up
As indicated at Essendant's CORE event in Feb, Staples has combined purchasing power and demanded substantial cost price reductions from vendors. The big question is what savings will be invested in dealer competitiveness and how much pocketed by vulture capitalist owner Sycamore Partners? We discuss... Updated
Papermakers'
The Big 3 US papermakers' cartel behaviour persists. After the Georgia Pacific mill closure saga induced panic buying ahead of a phantom March price increase, distributors stocked to the rafters. Now with demand sliding are the domestic makers propagating near capacity limits to boost another price increase claim? On Monday inc latest papermakers reports
Dealers' decision
Back in 1994, the OP wholesalers led the stockless dealer drive that fuelled the expansion of single source supplier success. Now with uncertainty surrounding wholesalers' future, its decision making time for dealers. We explore the options available for those who are committed to becoming broadline business suppliers. Updated
Logistics leaders
Q2'19 results season is upon us with consumer & business supplies' brand CEO's expected to report a further slowdown that started in Q3'18. Leading laggards are the logistics giants including FedEx, JBHunt, XPO, CSX & UPS. We preview the trends....Updated
'Paperless' paused
Big businesses have removed or changed their messaging since the inception of pro-paper campaign group Two Sides in 2008. Accused of 'greenwash' those promoting a paperless comms future based on greater speed, efficiency and carbon emission reduction should be regroup and focus on the positives of digital comms.
Will AMZN Prime
The ads are incessant for Prime Day, Amazon’s two-day shopping event for members only, July 15 and 16. Perhaps you even caught the live-streamed Taylor Swift concert that kicked off the festivities. Fast Company's Mark Wilson reckons its a con. We discuss his case....
Fakebook fine a
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has agreed to a $5bn settlement with Facebook over it's deceitful use of private data. e.g. selling info to Microsoft. 'Fakebook' even violated a firewall & budgeted the penalty precisely. Who's Zucking who?
Newell Brands in
The collapse of the Newell house of brands post the disastrous $16Bn Jarden acquisition in 2016 continues. The uncertainty hanging over the heads of executives leading valuable assets is palpable. What's next for brands like Rubbermaid, Papermate/Sharpie, Dymo, Elmers? We discuss.... later today
Can SPOT stop
Vulture capitalist Better Capital owner of SPOT, the mongrel mix of Spicers & Officeteam, has reported 2018 financial results. As expected it continued to bleed losses from mismanagement of a dealer group contract and huge paper price increases. Surely, CEO Jon Moulton (pic left) will terminate its tortuous tenure soon?
What Lucy wants
A c m e United