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
Dell delivers top
Dell Technologies, the $100Bn tech giant, reported stronger category performances in Q1'23 and substantially improved profitability. After VMWare was spun off in Nov'21, the client solutions group made tremendous headway in the commercial business market
Lenovo lengthens
Hong Kong based, international PC & mobile giant Lenovo reported excellent results for the 6th consecutive quarter in Q4'22, extending its lead as #1 PC maker. The Mobile group along with the growing services group excelled once again....
Brady identifies
Brady Corp the $1Bn in sales, Identification & workplace safety specialists, reported stronger demand in its Q2'22. New ceo Russell Shaller. commented on the ongoing strength of its ID solutions business, actions to improve the weaker workplace safety segment and progress with its latest acquisition
F E M S A forays
FEMSA the mighty $27Bn Mexican based convenience store & fuel station chain (Oxxo) that acquiredWaxie-NAmerican jansan network in 2020 via its Envoy Solutions subsidiary, reported Q1'22 results. We analyse and review progress of 14 acquisitions & future plans with ceo Mark Fisher
Unbroken Bytes
UK software seller Bytes has surged past £1.2Bn ($1.5Bn) with 26%+ growth rates in 2021, ceo Neil Murphy disclosed. "If it's not broken, then don't fix it'" he proclaimed just 12 months on from its London Stock Exchange debut
Best Buy: bounce
Best Buy, the $52Bn electronics retailer reported declining sales & profits in Q1'23 hit by supply chain issues. ceo Corie Barry is focused on improving user experience and delivery speed to compete with leaders Amazon & Target
6 Marketing Myths
Word of Mouth
Product reviews provider Bazaarvoice's latest Shopper Experience Index finds that purchase influence has moved from business-to-consumer (B2C/B2U) to consumer-to-consumer (C2C) with power shifting to users. Is this just a new digital label for the age old all powerful 'word-of-mouth', personalised marketing principle?
Envoy envelops
The hygiene and packaging market is on fire with M&A activity happening almost weekly! Bain Capital's Imperial Dade, FEMSA's Envoy
and BradyIFS lead the way in consolidating regional jansan dealers. Envoy's ceo Mark Fisher, just announced its 14th acquisition in New Jersey; to top $1.55Bn sales...
Friends' forward
Friends Office, the leading Ohio based, OP dealer continued to consolidate the Ohio & Kentucky market with another key acquisition. This effectively stretches the geographical coverage of its AOPD contract presence. We speak with ceo Ken Schroeder
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