WFH Winners
Amazon's amazing 40% growth to reach $10Bn in business supplies during the Covid quarter exposed the huge deficiencies in service levels from traditional OP dealers. Amazon became the default 'first call' supplier for 'Everything WFH supplies'. In spite of its dominance, many responsive progressive dealers pivoted powerfully to the new immediate market standards. We highlight the winners....Updated
Less means more
There's no doubt after 5mos of Covid lockdown & 'WFH' that future trends have been brought forward. Consider the acceleration in technology use by all ages: MCommerce, less commuting, Zoom meetings & conferences; hygiene, safety, health & wellness awareness; protective packaging. Moreover the shift towards a greener more sustainable world. We discuss the trends. Updated
Print/papermakers
Most leading OP, Paper & Print makers reported severe sales declines in Q2'20. Printer Paper demand is down 60%+ since 2008; another -30% in Q2;the shift to hygiene and packaging is huge. We analyse Q2 results. Updated today for Domtar
Deceitful Depot
Newly named ODP Corporation (ex-Office Depot-OfficeMax), sank at a deepening rate in Q2'20. OP core sales were crushed with hygiene essentials in retail & online softening the decline. We analyse CEO Gerry 'Smudger' Smith's hollow & misleading commentary and update on the 'white knight' life saver.
Will SPR investors
After many failed attempts Genuine Parts finally sold SPRichards to an Investor Group led by TSR's enterprising chief Yancey Jones (pic left). What's the plan? Will it continue a buying group bias or invest in broadline business supply to compete with Amazon? We review
Beyond Electricals:
Mega electricals distributor WESCO International's acquisition of major rival Anixter will have repercussions across all channels, not just electrical, according to an industry panel hosted by MDM last week. What are CEO John Engel's integration plans?
How HP views
HP CEO Enrique Lores in an interview with CRN's Kyle Aspach stated "The ongoing emphasis on work-from-home (WFH) is continuing to create new growth opportunities for HP and its channel partners, including a re-imagining of managed print services (MPS) for home offices" We discuss the 9 Q&A's
Clearing the Air
Much admired family owned Fellowes company, is the shining example of a progressive OP maker shifting to productivity solutions, in the business supply market. The Bankers Box core business has now been overtaken by ergonomics, mobile accessories & air purifiers in its drive to workspace wellness & hygiene. We speak with CEO John Fellowes. Complete
On March 13th Alan Jope, Unilever CEO, the $60Bn consumer-goods conglomerate that makes everything from Dove soap to Knorr soup, ordered the firm’s 60,000 office workers in all countries bar China to work from home (WFH). Jope now a full WFHomer talks about tthe giant's priorities and the future beyond Covid
Uline: packaging
Uline, the leading packaging and hygiene supplies distributor based in Pleasant Prairie (Wisconsin) has grown 5X in the past 10 years. The Uehlein family run powerhouse has a passion for products & customer service exemplified by CEO Liz Uehlein that has proven iresistible
Rubbermaid: ♥️
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) has published findings of one of the largest ever studies into business recycling and waste management across Europe. We review and comment on their most welcome 'Love Recycling' initiative
Mighty MMM
Mighty 3M, the leading business supplies maker (inc. hygiene, safety, health care equipment + OP) has responded magnificently to the cause of Coronavirus prevention. CEO Mike Roman and team were interviewed by Bloomberg BusinessWeek. We discuss their responsive action
Z o o m Video
Video collaboration specialist Zoom (CEO Eric Yuan, pic left) continued its relentless progress by outstripping traditional competition. Fuelled by soaring demand caused by remote working and social spacing from the Coronavirus its stock market capitalisation has soared 3.5X since its April'19 IPO
R e a c h for the
Proficiency Post has championed the 'productivity with personalization' principle since 2003. Model behaviour has been practiced by many progressive independents e.g. WBMason, but few major companies. The ultimate User eXperience (UX) continues to be Starbucks. We profile progress and highlight independent business supplier best practices. Updated
Immediate gratification is what customers want. People, consumers and businesses are now used to perfectly executed services — ordering via mobiles (70% at Amazon), with rapid delivery and brilliant customer service writes DHL Express' CEO Ian Wilson
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