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.
Cintas' resilient
Cintas, the $9Bn uniform services specialist, continued its powerful sales recovery in Q3'23. CEO Todd Schneider plans to accelerate its 'Ready for the Workday' strategic services direction "enabling customers more time to focus on their business, that boosts mutual profitability".
Nectere's Never
Nectere, the UK&I small dealer group, has always promoted ambitious but hollow expansion plans, now looks in dire trouble. After failing to find buyers, we understand an MBO is improbable with owner- chairman Paul Musgrove resigning, as it heads towards the graveyard. In a last desperate move it has been forced to switch wholesaler from VOW to SPOT, splitting its membership...
PepsiCo promotes
KIND snack packs
Amazon aces high!
New US parcel delivery data from Pitney Bowes outlines top carriers’ volume performance in 2022; and what lies ahead for the sector. The meteoric rise of Amazon Logistics since it fired FedEx in 2019 has driven the latter off the road and benefited the more flexible USPS and UPS in market share and profitability. Amazingly Amazon will be the leading US transporter in 2023.
TDSynnex stalled.
TD Synnex, the #1Global IT wholesaler, recovered from serious Asian supply problems, but is now suffering slower demand. CEO Rich Hume commented opaquely about declining volume growth in its Q4'23 financial review. We comment on the analysts' more comprehensive Q&A. Updated
Softcat: soft sales,
UK #1 tech products and services reseller Softcat reported double digit GP growth in its H1'23 results to 31 Jan'23. CEO Graeme Watt was optimistic about future growth given new major contract wins and claimed market share growth in uncertain market conditions. Full analysis here...
Apple champions
There's been much political press talk about a growing 'cold war' with China. US is #1 trading partner with China, in both exports and imports. Apple's ceo Tim Cook visited Beijing at the weekend and spoke enthusiastically at the Development Forum about the growing symbiotic relationship with the hosts.
Most tech leaders
Despite economic uncertainty, 72% of high tech leaders in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe have plans to grow revenue in 2023, according a survey by Gartner. Furthermore, nearly half of those leaders believe they will be able to outperform their competition this year. Optimism over reach?
Dealers: how to
Today, most successful businesses use top technology. Emerging tech provides key insights, automation and efficiency ranging from performance measures (KPI's), operational costs (CTS) and marketing (CRM). As IT develops, many solutions are more personalized for small and midsize businesses (SMBs).
"Tomorrow's News Today,
not yesterday's news tomorrow."
