Staples' 5th Anniv
In June'17 vulture capitalist Sycamore Partners bought Staples for $6.9Bn. The industry quaked! What has happened since? Proficiency Post chronicled its demise from $16Bn down to a current $8Bn with the ex-powerhouse a shell of its former self. What do leading vendors and IDC think? We surveyed and report here to date
Essendant: Big call
Leading business supplies wholesaler Essendant's leadership team justhosted dealers and suppliers at a virtual Town Hall event. It proved a great opportunity to connect and share latest market perspectives; top economist Brian Beaulieu's view; plus new initiatives. We spoke with president Harry Dochelli on key takeaways...
Mason's Blizzard
Warren Buffett owned Dairy Queen (DQ) had issues with business supplier WBMason's labeling of its 'Blizzard' branded water, but the Minnesota federal judge ruled 'no customer confusion'. DQ sued in 2018 but WB's lawyers were always confident claims were "ridiculous". PP dives inside the saga...Updated
Create cool hybrid
Even before Covid some organizations began experimenting with mobile work, shifting ownership for spaces and offering more choice for people to move where they worked based on their activities. Some companies allowed hybrid work, giving employees flexibility to WFH. Now, the practice has become the mainstream even those who believed it wasn’t a fit for them.
The Proficiency
The Q1'22 reporting season is complete. Proficiency Index have analysed results and separated out the price inflation element, from real volume performance. HPInc, HPE, ABM, UNFI and Costco were the last companies to report inflated profits fueled by high price hikes; a total of 90 companies analysed
There's constant labelling in conferences, national & office press about 'Millennial Generation Gap’ (15-35yr olds). It’s always been the mainstream workforce, but do they behave differently to baby boomers, or need to be treated specially?
The O f f i c e
The Bisnow organized 'Office of the Future' event in Boston last Thursday successfully communicated what users & owners want from workplacestoday, complete
Can Coke catch
Can anything reverse soda's slide at Coca-Cola? Consumers want something better than sweet carbonated beverage, so volumes will continue fall unless they react quickly...
Will Windows 10
The arrival of Windows 10 will bring some hope to the ailing PC market, but vendors and partners still need to work hard to convince customers of the benefits, according to IDC.
Piranha/Partner
OPI and MWA have released a new market research report that investigates Amazon as an office supplier in Germany. Are Amazon biting or backing dealers. Updated & Complete
Pelikan products
Pelikan, the international stationery maker, continued its tails spinning spiral in Q1'15.
Happy Birthday
OPI's CEO Steve Hilleard celebrates his 50th birthday today! Congrats Steve! Welcome to the guild of aging office publishers...
Dell delighted
Dell has issued a report outlining its financial performance over the past year – its first full one as a private firm.
Amazon Achilles
Following countless resellers, Amazon is expanding its lineup of private-label to inc. food & beverage supplies to business. Will this reversal of original brand strategy be Bezos' first big stab in his own foot?
Jawbone hits
As it approaches an initial public offering, fitness-tracker company Fitbit faces a lawsuit from rival Jawbone that is spiced with betrayal and the alleged theft of trade secrets.
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