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Grand & Toy Turns Business Model on its Head | November 7, 2007
New leadership moving from office supply seller to strategic sourcing partner
Toronto, ON. July 9, 2007 – In a move designed to save its customers millions of dollars, Grand & Toy announced today it’s shifting its business model from a vendor of office products to a provider of office strategic sourcing and overhead cost management services.
While Canadian business has been acutely sensitive to measuring and managing expenses related to core strategic capabilities, it is only now beginning to bring the same rigour to managing costs related to office supplies, such as pens, paper, furniture and peripheral technology, print and imaging. According to Grand & Toy estimates, “office supply spend” accounts for 10 to 20 per cent of a company’s total annual expenditures.
“In a business environment of shrinking margins and rising expectations of due diligence, the time of an informal or non-strategic approach to managing potentially millions of dollars in overhead expenses has passed,” said Garry Wood, President, Grand & Toy. “Given the increasing demands on our customers to get a handle on these expenses, we felt Grand & Toy was perfectly positioned to leverage our business-to-business expertise in strategic sourcing to make a significant impact on our customers’ bottom lines.”
By reconciling and then gradually reducing the overhead costs that make up 10 to 20 per cent of business’ total annual expenses, Grand & Toy can help business reap potential savings of more than $1 million.
“The issue of office expenditures has become such a critical part of overall cost management for enterprises that many have started to bring it into the realm of their chief strategic sourcing officers,” said Grand & Toy Chief Operating Officer Gary D’Andrea. “As a three quarter billion dollar B2B supplier of office products and e-commerce solutions, we have the expertise to effectively partner with client strategic sourcing teams, to create solutions to save our customers substantial dollars.
B2B solutions have been the bedrock of Grand & Toy for two decades, making up 90 per cent of the company’s revenue. The B2B service is also enhanced by an unmatched e-commerce program through which 60 per cent of its business is conducted – far above the Canadian average of 15 per cent.
Launched in 2001, Grand & Toy’s cost-saving e-commerce system allows companies to further effectively manage their spend.
Further, the expansion of B2B services will continue to complement the company’s new small business strategy, providing superior service to Canadian business customers.
About Grand & Toy
Founded in 1882, Grand & Toy has evolved from Canada’s leading supplier of office products to the nation’s number one source for complete business solutions. From office supplies, interiors, technology and business imaging, to a host of essential services, Grand & Toy is enhancing office performance by providing the tools and solutions needed to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced marketplace. Offering more than 10,000 products available through an award-winning web site, detailed catalogue and over 40 retail locations across Canada, Grand & Toy offers the resources, experience and insight to help Canadian businesses realize their full potential. For more information visit www.grandandtoy.com.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Samantha Kemp-Jackson
APEX Public Relations
416-924-4442 ext. 248
sjackson@apexpr.com
OR
Ken Evans
APEX Public Relations
416-924-4442 ext. 233
kevans@apexpr.com
Toronto, ON. July 9, 2007 – In a move designed to save its customers millions of dollars, Grand & Toy announced today it’s shifting its business model from a vendor of office products to a provider of office strategic sourcing and overhead cost management services.
While Canadian business has been acutely sensitive to measuring and managing expenses related to core strategic capabilities, it is only now beginning to bring the same rigour to managing costs related to office supplies, such as pens, paper, furniture and peripheral technology, print and imaging. According to Grand & Toy estimates, “office supply spend” accounts for 10 to 20 per cent of a company’s total annual expenditures.
“In a business environment of shrinking margins and rising expectations of due diligence, the time of an informal or non-strategic approach to managing potentially millions of dollars in overhead expenses has passed,” said Garry Wood, President, Grand & Toy. “Given the increasing demands on our customers to get a handle on these expenses, we felt Grand & Toy was perfectly positioned to leverage our business-to-business expertise in strategic sourcing to make a significant impact on our customers’ bottom lines.”
By reconciling and then gradually reducing the overhead costs that make up 10 to 20 per cent of business’ total annual expenses, Grand & Toy can help business reap potential savings of more than $1 million.
“The issue of office expenditures has become such a critical part of overall cost management for enterprises that many have started to bring it into the realm of their chief strategic sourcing officers,” said Grand & Toy Chief Operating Officer Gary D’Andrea. “As a three quarter billion dollar B2B supplier of office products and e-commerce solutions, we have the expertise to effectively partner with client strategic sourcing teams, to create solutions to save our customers substantial dollars.
B2B solutions have been the bedrock of Grand & Toy for two decades, making up 90 per cent of the company’s revenue. The B2B service is also enhanced by an unmatched e-commerce program through which 60 per cent of its business is conducted – far above the Canadian average of 15 per cent.
Launched in 2001, Grand & Toy’s cost-saving e-commerce system allows companies to further effectively manage their spend.
Further, the expansion of B2B services will continue to complement the company’s new small business strategy, providing superior service to Canadian business customers.
About Grand & Toy
Founded in 1882, Grand & Toy has evolved from Canada’s leading supplier of office products to the nation’s number one source for complete business solutions. From office supplies, interiors, technology and business imaging, to a host of essential services, Grand & Toy is enhancing office performance by providing the tools and solutions needed to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced marketplace. Offering more than 10,000 products available through an award-winning web site, detailed catalogue and over 40 retail locations across Canada, Grand & Toy offers the resources, experience and insight to help Canadian businesses realize their full potential. For more information visit www.grandandtoy.com.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Samantha Kemp-Jackson
APEX Public Relations
416-924-4442 ext. 248
sjackson@apexpr.com
OR
Ken Evans
APEX Public Relations
416-924-4442 ext. 233
kevans@apexpr.com
