Furniture mkt on
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
Old OP Emperors
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
Bouncebackability
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
Healthy Hygiene
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
Top 50 Women
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.
The phenomenal
Last week we met with WeWork's Luca Gualco at the Bisnow's'Office of the Future' event in Boston. On Friday we tour their co-working spaces at South Station and SeaPort. We profile its progress
What's next: an
The everything on-demand economy may have no limits in the new digital world. Amazon, Uber, AirBnB and Zillow are now overtaking conventional service channels. Next: the on-demand salesforce?
Stand up for
The sit/stand ergonomics revolution is a powerful movement. Why then do furnituremakers waste money advertising in trade mags with lifeless images, whilst upstarts e.g. Varidesk/Stir communicate directly with users? Later today
Why Dell wins
We are grateful to Tech Guru's Rob Enderle for his insight and analysis of Dell's DAAC conference and preview of HP Discover event this week.
"Mobilize your
The mobile is now the preferred shopping channel for the majority user choosers. 31% (44% for businesswomen) of web traffic is now via mobile, with more shopping or info searching. Updated
Staples stalled;
Boston Globe highlighted the mismatch between Staples struggles and the rising compensation of CEO Ron Sargent. The comparison may not be fair. We review and highlight more alarming discrepancies. Updated
Beware sick
A new report highlights structural problems in an alarming number of large businesses with 'siloed' navel gazing, self centred functional thinking the main problem
Baseless bubble
In an interview with Goldman Sachs,Yale professor Robert Shiller said there is a "bubble element" to the stock market. But how does economic data recognise the huge rise in start-up entrepreneurs and new tech-Uber driven personal productivity?
The call for
Mondelēz International has made strides in its effort to empower consumers to snack mindfully and is on track with its Better Choices sales drive...
Costolo caught
Twitter CEO Dick Costolo is behaving like a 'deer in the headlights'. His appearance and mannerisms show increasing signs of stress as he repeatedly defends his tenuous tenure...
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