2015 Dec pp banner1200 2 mob
2016 Jan pp banner1200
  • hybrid office zoom mtg 22Furniture mkt on
    high hybrid alert!

    Corp office recovery softer.
    Strong WFH demand slows


    Furniture Market Review Q4'22-23: Covid crushed the corporate furniture market. Leading makers still report -30% demand declines compared with the 2019 norm. During Covid, WFH suppliers like Amazon, Wayfair, DWR (MillerKnoll) exploded with record revenues, now normalizing. We review leaders disappointing results and the new hybrid work developments accelerating the wellness & ergonomics movement e.g. Fellowes. Updated for Steelcase/MillerKnoll

    Read More
  • Emperor no clothes 23Old OP Emperors

    have no clothes!

    Trad product sellers outed
    by productivity srvcs shift


    There's been much recession talk recently: macro economic headwinds, high inflation, depressing optimism. How much is real given the huge prices boost on lower volumes? Whilst ex-leaders eg. Acco, HP, Newell, 3M & VOW decline despite complacent commentary, progressive players reinvented to meet the 'personalized productivity service' needs of users. We highlight losers and the big winners..Complete

    Read More
  • resilient leaders 23Bouncebackability
    Index Leaderboard

    Q4'22 analysis highlights
    resilient Winners v Losers


    Reports are all in for Business Supply players in Q4'22. Predictably they show inflated profits but weak sales recovery v pre-Covid 'norm' Q4'19. Proficiency Index reports the Leaderboard of makers, wholesalers & dealers' 'Bouncebackability' performance. It covers 100 leading paper & printer makers, hygiene, foodservice and packaging suppliers, OP/furnituremakers and retailers Updated

    Read More
  • Screen Shot 2022 12 09 at 2.14.03 PMHealthy Hygiene
    market normalizes

    Who won/lost market share?
    Price inflation average +12%


    Hygiene is now #1 business supply category alongside technology. Progressive business suppliers: brandmakers, dealers have pivoted into hygiene, safety, foodservice & packaging, WFH-tech & wellness services. Proficiency Index Q4'22 analysis is almost complete with brand volumes slowing, boosted by double-digit price hikes. Updated for KPTissue, Sappi & Suzano. Diversey delayed to 22Mar

    Read More
  • women marketeers top 9 jul16Top 50 Women
    Marketers 2023

    Leaders in creativity, sales,
    brand growth performance


    Marketing to businesses by brandmakers & resellers was traditionally dominated by men. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Proficiency Index recognises the most successful women leaders. This is 16th edition of 'Top 50 Women in Business Supply', the market's real growth achievers, including new entrants from progressive independent dealers.

    Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Subscribe to read!

Leahy christine CDW#EmbraceEquity:
DigitALL in Tech!

International Women's Day
exposes mkt gender bias


From the earliest days of computing to the present age of virtual reality and AI, women have made untold contributions to the digital world. Their achievements have been against all odds and under-appreciated. We highlight the Top 12 Women Tech Leaders in the business supply market. 

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Schalke Walt suzano 22Suzano volume flat
huge inflation boost

Big investments: Fossil free
pulp plant + KC Brazil mill


Suzano the Brazilian based pulp and paper producer, reported slowing growth in sales volume, primarily in exports saved by domestic demand. CEO Walter Schalke comments on a lower volume paper performance, boosted by +39% higher prices plus expansive investments in the Cerrado eco-pulp project and purchasing K-C's tissue mill in Brazil...

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Screen Shot 2023 03 10 at 10.06.20 AMMoleskine mired
in secular decline

Sales volume still down
-33% v Pre-Covid norm


Moleskine,
 the premium notebook maker, owned by D'ieteren, the Belgian auto distributor, reported improved results for FY2022, but well short of pre Covid 2019 norm in spite of +30% price hikes. CEO Daniela Riccardi reported on lower discretionary demand during an 'essentials first' era...

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Salmirs Scott ABM 23ABM's 'Enhanced
Clean' progress

Hygienic facility services w
Edu contract wins + acqns


ABM, the leading US facilities management services provider reported recovering results in its Q1'23. CEO Scott Salmirs commented on the acceleration in work orders for virus protection and 'Enhanced Clean' services plus details of another acquisition...

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

lorenger jeff HNI 23HON-Allsteel: acqs
a major competitor

Furniture market merger
elevates US maker to #3

  
HNI (HON + AllSteel) 
the #4 US furnituremaker, has acquired a major rival specializing in hospitality, health care & office products. This is a welcome boost for ceo Jeff Lorenger struggling with sales volumes down -40% v pre Covid norm; with the contract market still weak from workers' slow return to corporate offices

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Douglas sandy UNFIUnited N a t u r a l
Foods' slowdown

Ex-Staples chief feeds
healthier WFH lifestyle


US #1 broadline food wholesaler United Natural Foods (UNFI) reported steady Q2'23 boosted by inflation. “As consumers continue to seek at-home food solutions, UNFI remains dedicated to providing our resellers with a competitive service" said ceo Sandy Douglas (ex-Staples)

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Murphy Kevin Ferguson 22Ferguson plumbs
up price inflation

Acquisitions stream steady
driving sales over $30Bn


Ferguson PLC (inc Wolseley
) the #1 US plumbing supplies wholesaler, reported steady growth in sales in Q2'23 fueled by huge price increases and 4 more acquisitions. We spoke with ceo Kevin Murphy about progress and plans in its equally split residentail and commercial markets...

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Screen Shot 2023 03 07 at 1.28.15 AMNewell nears nadir;
writing on the wall?

Typical Ravi rhetoric diverts
from core strategy failings?


Newell Brands,
 the
 $9Bn house of business & consumer brands, sales volume plummeted in home, commercial & writing products during 2022. Ex-Max Ravi Saligram is retiring as ceo, guilty of 'fiddling while the house burns', with market cap plunging -40% over the last year. What confidence is there that new boss Chris Peterson can break the 'same as the old boss' maxim? We comment....

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

smith gerry depot deckchair shifter 21Depot's 'Imagine
Success' BS mess

Deceitful captain distracts
from self destructive acts


You couldn't make this up! Office Depot has launched "a new brand platform 'Imagine Success', to help customers fuel their passions, potential and goals". Deckchair shifting Capt. Gerry Smith just reported Q4'22 sales volumes down -50% v pre Covid norm Q4'19. Did he imagine success before decimating Depot by $5Bn when he joined in 2017?

Read more ...

Subscribe to read!

Atkinson Peter MacFarlaneMacFarlane boosts
packaging power

Growth driven by specialist
acqu'ns. Pipeline strong


UK packaging giant MacFarlane Group continued its organic and acquisitive growth. CEO Peter Atkinson commented on progress and details of its latest acquisition and the pipeline of new prospects. We discuss plans with ceo Peter Atkinson....

Read more ...

"Tomorrow's News Today,

not yesterday's news tomorrow."

twitter heart50facebook heart50

FREE PP NEWS

Please register to the site before you can sign for a list.
No account yet? Register

ppnew on mobile UK 2018

Member Login