R e t a i l
The financial media e.g. CNBC, WSJ, FT has been rhetorical in promoting the 'strong consumer' during 2019, almost to the point of denial of the economic slowdown. Now facts are being reported from leading 'WATCH' retailers that confirm sales growth has stalled, hit by tariffs and economic uncertainty. We preview and analyse Q4'19 results. Updated
HP's hopeless
The absurd $33Bn bid by Xerox driven by Chainsaw Carl Icahn for the 6X larger HP Inc. should not be happening, HP's board is behaving like an underdog talking about an unconvincing "undervaluation" rather than dismissing the dinosaur copier giant, or more positively counterbidding and taking over Xerox's better equipped direct salesforce
Target's tumbling
Leading US retailer Target reported decelerating sales growth trends in recent quarters compared with 2018. Q4'19 sales, including the Christmas-Thanksgiving holiday, sales fell in organic terms for the first time in recent years
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Purell's pure
Effective 1 Jan GOJO Industries, the Purell hygiene brand maker, named Carey Jaros as CEO. We interview Carey about her plans to accelerate the growth of the 'Purell Solution', to holistically fight the spread of illness causing germs. Tomorrow
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2020 Predictions:
What will happen with Amazon, Apple, Staples, Essendant, SPR, Depot, WBMason, HP/Xerox, Uber, Imperial Dade, SPOT (Spicers-OfficeTeam), EVO/VOW, Westcoast, dealers, groups, wholesalers, manufacturers in 2020. Here are our predictions.... Complete
Top FoodService
The US FoodService market (exc. food) is estimated at $300Bn+ and has grown at 3-4% over recent years. Some of the leading progressive business suppliers are making early inroads. We study the Top 20 players, rising stars and leaders' forecasts for 2020
2020 Predictions:
What will happen with Amazon, Apple, Staples, Essendant, SPR, Depot, WBMason, HP/Xerox, Uber, Imperial Dade, SPOT (Spicers-OfficeTeam), EVO/VOW, Westcoast, dealers, groups, wholesalers, manufacturers in 2020. Here are our predictions.... Complete
Top Innovators.
Fast Company & Time magazinesrecently reviewed the most innovative companies of 2019; and Forbes magazine the best breakthrough innovations. We feature the most innovative leaders and best innovations in the business supply/personal productivity marketplace…Complete
Best Performers
The #OPocalypse aka perfect storm impacting the office supply market had its most damaging affect in 2019. Even the more powerful, progressive broadline business suppliers had a tough year; Amazon's high growth rate halved & regional indies only expanded via acquisitions. Proficiency Index reviews best performers in each category. Updated
Progressives in
The bigbox share of the US-UK markets tumbled again in 2019. Disintegrating Depot and stalled Staples lost another $2Bn sales and Amazon's growth slowed. Progressive independent resellers, MSP's continued to gain market share.... Updated
Dealer Champions
We've concluded the Proficiency Index Dealer Productivity Championship 2019, the most universally accepted indicator of dealer profitability. Dealers have submitted sales forecasts for 2019/current employee numbers (FTE's). We've finalise the numbers and publish championship leaderboard today. Updated
Xmas Crackers
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 2019 will go down as another tough year for ‘turkeys’ (aka vultures) citing ‘political uncertainty' excuses as causes of failure. For progressives it’s been another cracking year of growth in new business supply categories: hygiene & safety; refreshments & food service, plus packaging.
Contract furniture
Furnituremakers Review Q4'19: The transactional/replenishment market continued to slowdown. Meanwhile, contract interiors demand has turned down with CEO's reporting slower order book. We review leaders' performance & latest trends.... Updated Steelcase/HMiller results today
Most Responsible
Newsweek just published America's Most Responsible Companies 2020 Rankings. Together with Statista it lists Top 300 scores in Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility (CSR). Great to see 50 leading broadline business suppliers featured. We comment on their achievements
Top 10 Tech
The empowered edge, practical blockchain and human augmentation are just a few of the biggest trends in 2020 that will create the largest opportunities over the next decade, according to research firm Gartner.
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