Page 7 - BOSS Today Issue 49

SPECIAL REPORT BOSS Today #49

But there is now some evidence that they Sept are also looking to be 4% up. Online Indeed, Stephen is keen to point out
are re-ordering product to replenish their business was 10% of my total turnover that, in future, that “extra 10%” is going
stores.” This has also meant a slow return at the start of the year: right now, it’s to have to come from somewhere else: “In
from home delivery to central delivery, averaging at around 15-22%.” my 30 years in the industry I have never
with employers encouraging their seen such a step change and upheaval,
remaining home working staff to pick up It’s Not About Stationery but dealers will need to diversify and
what they need from the office once or Products Any More really think outside the box. It’s not just
twice a week. And what of prospects for Q4? Assuming about stationery products any more: this
There is also an element of stock no major national ‘second wave’ of is a whole new world we are moving into
building amongst some volume resellers, COVID-19, it seems that the next big step and we need to be looking at what people
as Login explains: “While everybody has change will be the implications of children want going forward.
been reporting that sales to Amazon have being back at school and more people
been significantly up (ours are c200% up are released to return to work. Certainly, * For full details of the BOSS Business
on prior year), I don’t think that sales out Login is cautiously optimistic: “Most Impact suveys click here
by Amazon are anywhere near sales in. So, manufacturers think that in Q4 their
it seems that Amazon have been building business will recover to between 80 to Martin Wilde – the author of this
quite significant stock, partly because 90% of prior years’ Q4 figures. However, article - is Managing Director of OP
they have the cash to do so, and partly for some core stationery product market research specialists
because it will help them if there are any categories, it’s difficult to see that extra Martin Wilde Associates Ltd
supply challenges in the second half of the 10% ever coming back.” (www.martinwildeassociates.com).
year through regional lockdowns etc.”
Stephen reports that the product
categories driving this Q3 growth are
unsurprising: “Home office seating and IS PPE HERE
furniture, ergonomic products, laptop
risers, keyboards, mice, desk lamps and TO STAY?
compact home working products are all
doing well, but I’ve never sold so little
paper: if anything was going to finally
bring about the paperless – or near Masks, gloves, floor signage and gel dispensers etc sold massively in the first
paperless – office, this was it, because period of lockdown, but is demand for these products sustainable long term?
people have now learned at home to work Stephen is convinced that it is: “PPE demand will definitely continue: for masks
from their screens.” definitely, but also for visors. However, long-lasting disinfectants are the way
Stephen believes that the end-user that we are going to have to go, because it is not physically possible for offices
vertical markets that are sustaining this and schools to clean continually: the pressure that that will put on time, money
demand are varied: “Building companies and resources will be off the scale.”
have continued to work throughout As a result, Springfield Business Supplies are offering two long lasting
the crisis: we have actually carried out disinfectant products to the trade and end-users alike:
furniture installations for people because
– as there were no staff on site – it • Bacoban: own branded as Pro-Ten, once sprayed on to a surface, this will
was easier to get in! Sales to care homes continue to kill any bacteria or viruses that land on it for up to 10 days.
were also a big thing for us: they fell • Mediseptic: a hand sanitiser that provides two hours of certified protection
through the cracks, because they aren’t (during which users can wash their hands five times) but gives up to 24 hour
part of the NHS and hence are unable protection.
to get access to the PPE products they
need. Manufacturing has also been fairly
constant throughout and is becoming
more confident.” However, it is reported BOSS have launched a COVID Secure Product Portal,
that sales to the finance and legal sectors to connect those looking for COVID-Secure products
are still very sluggish.
Login reports that the channels most with their members. The search is free to use for the
benefiting from this recovery continue to business supplies industry.
be the online players, including – as we
have seen – Amazon: “There has been
a huge shift to online, month by month: For further details click here
May was 10% up on prior year; June was
16% up; July was 4% up and August and

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