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9 Jun 22

Updated: 9 Jun 22

The Never 'Back
to Office' backlash

Bosses optimism re RTO
across businesses abates

Back to the office? Does never work for you? Employer plans have played out like a game of chicken. "Now workers are rebelling outright, and bosses are trying everything to make the office worth it" writes NY Times' 'Future of Work' writer Emma Goldberg. We discuss her research and discuss the impact on the business supplies market

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9 Jun 22

Updated: 10 Jun 22

Amazon's Brand
Protection report

Customer obsession raised
to make rogues liable

Amazon customers expect when they buy from its webstore or from third-party selling partners, they will receive an authentic product. Its second Brand Protection Report, details a wide range of exciting progress and powerful efforts to protect their brands, and holding bad actors accountable.

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8 Jun 22

Updated: 8 Jun 22

Amazon delivery
leader to leave

Bezos' 20yr partner joins
supply software start up

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' 20 years partner and consumer champion is leaving on 1July.  Dave Clark will be joining supply chain software start-up Flexport as CEO. Why now? Has new ceo Andy Jassy put Clark under 'profitability' pressure given slowing demand, excess inventory and increasing operating costs?

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7 Jun 22

Updated: 7 Jun 22

Off Target takes
big 'overstock' hit

Discounted clearance sales
of unwanted WFH products

 
Leading US retoiler Target shares fell heavily today as it warned of lower profits from an aggressive plan to sell off unwanted inventory. CEO Brian Cornell wants clearance of WFH apparel, tech and furniture, for the season of summer groceries & back-to-school supplies.

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7 Jun 22

Updated: 7 Jun 22

Gaining visibility
of hybrid work

How to max engagement
& trust of flexible workers

Flexible work comes with huge benefits — but it's challenging when measuring performance, as traditional approaches rely on normal  working hours. HBR's Gabriela Mauch uses a study of 50,000 employees to explore how leaders can better understand behaviour that will empower their teams and be most effective for their business.

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7 Jun 22

Updated: 8 Jun 22

Staples stakes
Basics' dealers

Large Canadian resellers
defect to sinking bigbox

Beleaguered bigbox reseller Staples Pro Canada has acquired two of Office Basics largest members. We were surprised given the strength of management, but not shocked given the difficulty to pivot to hygiene, packaging and tech categories without broadline business supplies wholesaler support 

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7 Jun 22

Updated: 7 Jun 22

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6 Jun 22

Updated: 7 Jun 22

Apple's WWDC
"Nerds' Nirvana"

Developments devoted to 
all devices. Fans delighted

Apple's WWDC 2022 Event is the biggest software announcement of the year. Almost every single device made — from the iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPods to the Watch,  got some love during the address including multiple improvements including the new  MacBook Air chip

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6 Jun 22

Updated: 7 Jun 22

Imperial bags
51st acquisition 

Rapid ragbag rollup raises
Bain's strategy questions?

VC Bain Capital owned Imperial Dade, continued the rapid roll-up of regional hygiene, food service & packaging suppliers in the US. The latest minor move in Connecticut tracks a path pioneered by Bunzl and followed by FEMSA-Envoy and BradyIFS. The persistent question prolongs: will Bain back brand and systems integration; seek a merger with Veritiv, or asset strip and flip?

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3 Jun 22

Updated: 27 Jun 22

BradyIFS boosts
NEast presence 

Joins Imperial/Envoy battle
blazing in hygiene supply

The hygiene & packaging market is on fire with M&A activity happening weekly! Bain Cap's Imperial Dade & FEMSA's Envoy led the way in acquiring regional jansan dealers, now BradyIFS is in hot pursuit. Envoy recently announced acq #14; Imperial #50 and now Brady adds #13, a US NEast reseller expanding beyond the $1Bn+ sales 

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