OPI Features
Hot topic: Retail rhetoric
2 February 2012Features
As several countries across Europe are plagued by crippling debt, consumer confidence is at an all time low. Retailers in particular are suffering from the lack of spending as OPI has been finding out
Big interview: Arnold Theuws
1 February 2012Features
Are a state-of-the-art warehouse, a unique model and the confidence to take on the big boxes at their own game enough to win market share? OPI asks Arnold Theuws
Russia: An opportunity that bites
1 February 2012Features
One of the fast-growing BRIC economies, Russia can seem a land of opportunity for businesses looking to expand. However, those looking to establish a presence must be aware of what lies beneath the surface
Dealer spotlight: The Supply Room
1 February 2012Features
The Supply Room’s recent acquisition of Frank Parsons has given it a strong platform to increase its share of customer wallet
Category analysis: Writing instruments
1 February 2012Features
Despite a turbulent back-to-school season, the writing instruments sector is back on its feet and even charting new territory
Category analysis: Ergonomics
1 February 2012Features
With consumer attitudes becoming more price-conscious, furniture retailers are increasingly looking for new ways to promote their ergonomically-enhanced products
Big Interview: Ravi Saligram
12 December 2011Features
Amazingly, OPI has never before conducted a Big Interview with a serving OfficeMax CEO. So when the opportunity arose to speak with current incumbent Ravi Saligram we jumped at the chance.
Hot topic: Eurozone
12 December 2011Features
As European markets falter, crumble and raise their hands in desperation, the OP industry ploughs on; the crisis’ impact, however, will be long term, creating new business models and routes to market.
Special report: Catalogues
12 December 2011Features
Once all the talk was about the paperless office, now it’s the paperless catalogue. But is it just an overreaction to the online revolution?
Show review: BSA
12 December 2011Features
BSA’s recent annual forum provided plenty of food for thought for both independents and their channel partners. Collaboration was regarded as the key to the ultimate goal – pleasing the end-user.
Dealer spotlight: Markedshuset
12 December 2011Features
Norwegian dealer Markedshuset battles sub-zero temperatures and a competitive marketplace on a daily basis; so far it seems it’s paying off.
Show review: Big Buyer
12 December 2011Features
Despite the turmoil in Italy, Big Buyer attracted 7,000 visitors to Bologna at the end of November. OPI reports back.
Category analysis: Office machines
12 December 2011Features
As geographical shifts continue to alter the printing and shredding markets, vendors are finding new ways to stay relevant.
Category analysis: Facilities management
12 December 2011Features
The continuing growth of OP firms in the FM category looks set to continue, especially for the trendsetters that are cornering all aspects of this broad sector.
Paperworld preview
12 December 2011Features
OPI examines the importance of Messe Frankfurt’s leading trade fair in today’s unstable economic climate, plus everything you need to know about Paperworld 2012.
Hot topic: The OP rollercoaster
1 November 2011Features
Superstore expansion, consolidation, globalisation and the perennial near-death experiences of the dealer community – the last 20 years have been quite a ride
Big Interview: Neil Austrian
1 November 2011Features
When Neil Austrian retired in 1999 he probably didn’t expect to be running a public company more than ten years later. OPI caught up with the Office Depot CEO less than six months into the job to discover his plans.
Where are they now?
1 November 2011Features
Have you ever wondered where they all went – those members of the industry whose antics still stick in your mind, or whose business activities still resonate today?
How did that happen?!
1 November 2011Features
It seems somewhat poignant that I write these words from 35,000 feet above the Atlantic, en route to the US for the 147th time since OPI was born in November 1991.
Dealer spotlight: DG Office Supplies
1 November 2011Features
Impressive sales growth has been part of the DNA at Manchester independent dealer DG Office Supplies (DGOS) since Managing Director Darren Carr set the business up 11 years ago.
Category analysis: Imaging supplies
1 November 2011Features
Faced with a turbulent post-recession environment, the imaging supplies sector has found innovative ways to evolve.
Big Interview: Ton Adam
1 October 2011Features
Are you familiar with the creator of an IT distributor that has not only achieved huge growth in recent years, but now has intentions to become Europe’s number one? Meet Ton Adam, CEO of ACI Supplies.
Special report: Coffee
1 October 2011Features
Breakroom is now a must-have category in the OP sector and coffee within that segment is often hailed as its biggest sales driver. But are OP resellers really making sure that consumers are waking up to the smell of coffee? Not necessarily, it appears.
Hot topic: Facebook
1 October 2011Features
Is Facebook the diamond bullet for OP resellers to reach customers in a market that is rapidly changing? The jury’s out, so OPI’s Felicity Francis takes a look at the pros and cons of getting involved.
Sector analysis: Mailroom and packaging
1 October 2011Features
Although it faces a number of critical challenges, the mailroom and packaging sector is determined to survive.
Global dealer: Direct Office Products Depot
1 October 2011Features
As the Rubgy World Cup disturbs the calm of New Zealand, local dealer Direct Office Products Depot is looking to maul the opposition and make new business conversions despite the trying economic conditions.
Sector analysis: Furniture
1 October 2011Features
Although volatile global markets continue to batter the furniture industry, companies that look internally as well as externally may find room for growth.
Big interview: Robert Baldrey
1 September 2011Features
OPI’s 2009 interview with former Vasanta Group CEO Richard Martin has become infamous. But it’s a very different company today under the leadership of the charismatic Robert Baldrey, who openly shares his plans for Caboodle, for managed print services and for adding £200 million to the wholesaler’s sales figures.
Hot topic: Call to action
1 September 2011Features
The potential is huge, so say industry pundits. But in the European OP reseller community at least, the concept of managed print services hasn’t taken off quite as much as it perhaps needs to. And the risk of being left behind could prove very costly indeed
Sector analysis: Jan/san
1 September 2011Features
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, an emphasis on green products and staff training are essential for companies looking to sustain the success of the jan/san sector
Global dealer: USA
1 September 2011Features
The recent successes of California’s Express Office Products despite highly unfavourable local market conditions highlight the ability of small businesses to adapt quickly. OPI spoke to owner and President Jerry Bircher
Sponsored article: Fellowes
1 September 2011Features
Fellowes is re-launching its feature-rich, affected shredders from new factories and planning a consumer marketing promotion with its comeback launch. OPI catches up with James and John Fellowes.
Sector analysis: Marking and stamping
1 September 2011Features
Despite the slow economic recovery, the marking and stamping sector continues to pursue innovative strategies
Lyra Research
1 September 2011Features
Lyra Research takes a look at how printer OEMs are combatting counterfeit, clone and infringing supplies
Industry view: Doug Ramsdale
1 September 2011Features
Doug Ramsdale shares his views on what we can expect to emerge from the turbulent times that are shaping what was once a stable industry
Big interview: Ryan Bidgood
15 July 2011Features
The history of dealer groups in South Africa is relatively new. Leading the way is Ryan Bidgood of Office National, who's out to use the powers of experience and brand to take on the biggest competition that independent dealers are facing
Hot topic: Channel evolution
13 July 2011Features
B2B or B2C, recession-induced or a result of an increasingly price-conscious and web-focused industry – margin pressures and a steady decline of traditional office supplies in the overall product mix are calling for new approaches to reach the end-consumer. A few recent initiatives have caught OPI’s eye…
Sales performance
13 July 2011Features
Last month, Jeff Gardner and Shawn Green revealed some insights into what it takes to be an excellent salesperson. This month, they look at why an effective sales manager can make all the difference
Show review: Vision conference
13 July 2011Features
Independents turn up the volume at the first Vision Conference since 2008.
Show review: SP Richards ABC
13 July 2011Features
SP Richards’ annual Advantage Business Conference (ABC) was the largest yet, and was a forum for the launch of a dealer model for which the wholesaler has high hopes.
Sector analysis: Desktop accessories
13 July 2011Features
It’s all about internet marketing campaigns these days, and companies in the desktop accessories business are harnessing this tool, often to great effect.
Hungarian wholesaler Corwell hails “best ever” expo.
Sector analysis: Laminating and binding
13 July 2011Features
Rapid technological changes in the OP industry have resulted in paper-light offices and the easier spread of data, creating a real threat to the laminating and binding sector. In this fast-moving environment, are laminating and binding products still a necessity?
Global dealer: Hungary
1 July 2011Features
OPI was in Budapest at the end of May to attend the annual expo of Hungary's leading wholesaler Corwell. It was an opportunity to ask local businessman Károly Mózes why he has recently launched an office supplies dealership
Big interview: David Langdown
1 June 2011Features
Some say that the UK office products industry is saturated with dealer groups, many of which have the same offering. Not so David Langdown, Managing Director and Co-owner of XPD
Sector analysis: Visual communication
1 June 2011Features
Vision quest
by Saqib Shah
Visual communication has proven to be a flexible industry. Time and again it continues to intersect with technology to provide more versatile collaborative tools for the business and education sectors. As a result, vis...
Special report: China
1 June 2011Features
Money talks
The thread running through all the news coming out of China at the moment revolves around the same issue. Money. Whether it’s inflation, wage increases, raw material costs or a stronger Chinese currency - at the heart of it is th...
Lyra Research
1 June 2011Features
Hard industry for hard copy
By Charles LeCompte
Although the depths of this past recession are long past, the economy has hardly kicked into a high gear, at least not the digital printing segment. Based on results from the calendar fourth quarter...
Sales performance
1 June 2011Features
From average to top
by Jeff Gardner
Why is it that some salespeople are considerably more successful than others, even though they are working for the same company and selling the same products in the same marketplace? It was precisely this quest...
Sector analysis: BTS preview
1 June 2011Features
A new kind of schooling
Preparing to go back to school after the long summer holiday is not what it used to be. As a small example, in August one school in Maine, US, is planning to spend $200,000 on iPad 2s for its 300 kindergarten pupils. Simila...
Events
North American Office Products Awards 2012 (NAOPA)
12 July 2012 - 12 July 2012 Washington, DC
The third annual awards programme for North American manufacturers to encourage innovation and give recognition to vendors that are working to deliver real value for the dealer community.
Paperworld 2013
26 January 2013 - 29 January 2013 Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
