Andy Braithwaite
Further steep declines at ADVEO
ADVEO’s delayed half-yearly results point to worsening Q2 trends for the European wholesaler. Back in May, the wholesaler reported disappointing…
Staples begins tender offer for Essendant shares
Staples Inc has announced the commencement of its tender offer for all outstanding shares of Essendant common stock. It’s not…
Correction: Staples Canada
In last Friday’s weekly news round-up, we provided a link to a story on store closures at Staples Canada. In…
Staples deal for Essendant confirmed
The acquisition of US office products wholesaler Essendant by Staples in a deal worth almost $1 billion has been confirmed.…
Top Essendant shareholder opposes Staples offer
Pzena Investment Management, Essendant’s largest shareholder, has said it will not support Staples’ current proposal to acquire the wholesaler. In…
No counterbid for Essendant, says Genuine Parts
Genuine Parts (GPC) has said it intends to let its SP Richards (SPR) merger agreement with Essendant terminate rather than…
Essendant board recognises new offer from Staples
Essendant’s board of directors has deemed that an improved offer from Staples constitutes a “superior proposal” to the proposed transaction…
ADVEO confirms Staples interest
ADVEO has said that the industrial investor looking to take control of the wholesaler is Netherlands-based Staples Solutions. In a…
Analysis: The ball now in Essendant’s court
While US Open tennis stars struggle to cope with the sweltering conditions in New York, Staples Inc has turned up…
Staples snaps up another dealer
OPI has learned of another dealer acquisition – this time in the Texas market – as the big-box shopping spree…
Correction: ADVEO bank loan
In yesterday’s story ADVEO to be acquired? we incorrectly stated that a €20 million bank loan would be made available…
ADVEO to be acquired?
An unnamed “international industrial investor” has signed an agreement with ADVEO’s lenders to acquire all of the wholesaler’s financial debt,…
Staples urges Essendant shareholders to vote against SPR deal
Staples Inc has filed regulatory documents with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) urging Essendant’s shareholders to vote against…
Spotlight: Turning the corner
When pan-European wholesaler ADVEO invited some 140 vendor partners to a hastily-arranged meeting in Paris, France, at the end of…
Younger generations recognised as ABC draws to a close
The North American Office Products Awards (NAOPA) brought the curtain down on this year’s SP Richards’ (SPR) ABC show in…
Award for O’Brien on first day of ABC
Jim O’Brien was a popular recipient of the North American Office Products (NAOPA) Industry Achievement Award during the opening session…
Analysis: Whiteway optimistic for future of SPOT Group
Following the release of the annual results of Better Capital – owner of the Spicers-OfficeTeam Group (SPOT) – which described…
Analysis: Staples ups the ante on Essendant
When Essendant reported its Q2 results at the end of July, it revealed that it had not engaged with Staples…
Strong year for Officeworks
Australian office supplies retailer Officeworks has reported impressive sales and earnings growth for the financial year ended 30 June 2018.…
Analysis: Essendant making “strategic investments” in the IDC
Business products wholesaler Essendant said that it spent $19 million on investments in the independent reseller channel (IDC) in the…
Big read
Staples CEO reiterates Essendant promises
Staples Inc CEO Sandy Douglas wrote to Essendant counterpart Ric Phillips earlier this week to express his “unwavering excitement” at…