5 minutes with…
What you do in fewer than 20 words:Optimise relationships between suppliers and resellers. Your first full-time job?Office products brand advocate for Occupy Chicago in 1985, when no one cared if you occupied Wall Street, or...
Final word: Martin Wilde
Young, Wilde and (paper) free?I cannot have been the only one to have been stirred by Martin Eames’ Final Word (OPI #215), in which, in his call for greater innovation in the OP industry, he notes:...
Editor’s comment: A hands-free office
This column took far longer to write than usual because I have broken my wrist (yes, sympathy please), and now have a metal plate in my arm to use to alarm airport security. I’m...
Category analysis: Security and data protection
A safe bet On average, UK retail workers throw away 11 London buses-worth of paper every year, a survey by PHS Datashred suggests. This carries a significant amount of potential for insecure data and security...
Category analysis: Breakroom
The business case for breakroomThe breakroom category continues to be a key driver of growth for office products businesses, particularly in the US, and in some cases companies are offsetting sales declines in other segments...
Spicers turning up the heat
UK and European suppliers disgruntled as wholesalers review 2012 pricing.The former DS Smith-owned wholesaler Spicers may now be two separate companies, but there was an uncanny resemblance to their purchasing strategies at the start of...
Time for Staples to make Depot move?
There has been renewed takeover talk regarding office products giants Staples and Office Depot. A question of no smoke without fire?An analyst on a well-known financial website has suggested that Staples could be gearing up...
End of the big-box era?
When big box retail chains like Circuit City, Dillard’s and Office Depot started to close doors in 2008 and 2009, it made sense. The recession crimped consumer spending, and these oversized, over-staffed and over-inventoried stores had to shed...
Dealer spotlight: Dubai Library Distributors
The second Paperworld Middle East show takes place from 6-8 March in Dubai. One leading local OP company which will be exhibiting is Dubai Library Distributors (DLD), a firm with wholesaling, distribution, retailing and direct...
Big Interview: Supplies Network
The future looks managed Last year Supplies Network celebrated 20 years in business, but the landscape has significantly changed in this time. Set up as a regional wholesaler of IT consumables, the company now spans the...
