Details

4 Jan 21

Updated: 8 Jan 21

Power Productivity

or #OPocalypse? 

Who will seize the single
source biz supply market?

What will happen in 2021 with Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Staples, Essendant, Shopify, SPR, Alibaba, Depot, WBMason, HP, U-Line, Imperial, EVO-VOW, Westcoast, Bunzl, Brady, independent dealers, dealer groups, wholesalers, furnituremakers, paper-printermakers, MPS, OP makers; foodservice; hygiene suppliers; packaging; AI, robotics,Tech/cybersecurity; Hybrid-WFH; B2U v B2B marketing trends. PP's 21 predictions updated

Read more ...

Details

1 Jan 21

Updated: 6 Jan 21

Top Resellers Review

Progressives rally
to WFH/PPE call

Bigboxes, Leaders, Rising
Stars, laggards & Top Tips

The bigbox share of the market tumbled again in 2020. Disintegrating Depot & stalled Staples lost another $2Bn sales as Amazon's  growth rocketed. Progressive indie resellers, MSP's got hammered on OP/MPS & furniture, but their agility enabled to pivot to Hygiene-PPE and service their local WFH market. Updated

Read more ...

Details

31 Dec 20

Updated: 5 Jan 21

Best Performers
Review of 2020

Leaders, brands, web,
products, productivity,
services, ads, greenest.
'Essentials' winners all

The #OPocalypse aka perfect storm that impacted the office supply market in 2019, got worse in 2020, with the devastating effect of the Covid catastrophe. Even progressive broadline business suppliers suffered, but escaped with a rapid pivot to PPE-Hygiene-WFH 'essentials' e.g. Amazon, P&G, Lenovo. Proficiency Index reviewsbest performers in each category. Complete

Read more ...

Details

26 Dec 20

Updated: 30 Dec 20

Market Review'20 
Jan-Dec Analysis

OPocalypse saved by WFH,
Tech, PPE/Hygiene supply

The perfect storm of a slowing economy, paperless office power, vultures attack was exacerbated by Covid. This proved tragic for traditional players, but welcome relief for 'essential' suppliers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and WFH specialists eg Best Buy, Home Depot & Wayfair. We chronicle the main events. Complete 

Read more ...

Details

21 Dec 20

Updated: 31 Dec 20

Most Responsible
Companies in US

Newsweek 2021 Top 400
inc.40 Biz Suppliers: HP#1

Newsweek just published the US' Most Responsible Companies 2021 rankings. Together with Statista it lists Top 400 scores in Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility (CSR). Great to see 40 leading broadline business suppliers featured. We comment on their achievements

Read more ...

Details

20 Dec 20

Updated: 22 Dec 20

Xmas Crackers &
Top Turkeys 2020

Reflections on Covid hit,
OPocalyptic, WFH year
saved by PPE/hygiene

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 2020 will go down as a terrible year for ‘turkeys’ (aka vultures) citing the ‘Covid' excuse as cause for failure. For progressives it’s been tough too, but rescued by pivoting quickly into new business supply categories: PPE/hygiene & safety; WFH tech & ergonomics, refreshments & packaging.

Read more ...

Details

15 Dec 20

Updated: 21 Dec 20

Top Biz Supply
M&A's in 2020

Technology, Hygiene, OP,
MPS deals in Covid crisis

The year long global pandemic has been devastating for many small businesses accelerating negative consolidation. Meanwhile, progressive M&A trends towards a 'paperless, officeless & touchless' future driven by technology surged. We review the top positive and negative deals of 2020

Read more ...

Details

25 Nov 20

Updated: 25 Nov 20

Print/papermakers
plunge prolongs

#OPocalypse: Diminished
demand+economy+Covid

Most leading OP, Paper & Printer makers continued to report deeper demand declines. Printer paper is down 60%+ since 2008; another -20% in Q3; the shift to hygiene & packaging is huge. We analyse Q3 results updated today inc. HP, Metsa & Mondi

Read more ...

Details

25 Nov 20

Updated: 25 Nov 20

Healthy Hygiene
market momentum

Covid mitigation challenge
Final Suppliers' Scoreboard

The Paperless, Officeless, Touchless & Spotless future is happening. Business suppliers: makers, dealers inc.designers & managed services providers have pivoted to sell employers PPE, WFH technology, air purifiers & office planning apps for social distancing. We review Q3'20 results.. Market analyses complete inc. Berry, Brady & FEMSA

Read more ...

Details

23 Oct 20

Updated: 23 Oct 20

Mobile Webstore
M a s t e r s 2020 

WebWatch Review: WFH
user experiences v Amazon


The Covid induced WFH lockdown has spiked online buying particularly Mobile Commerce. The Proficiency Index WebWatch team has reviewed leaders' webstore experiences, 'browsing & buying' PPE, hygiene and technology essentials. We analyse & compare v the Amazon best practice model. Updated

Read more ...