The BOSS Federation has announced the launch of a new high level sales trend information reporting system for the Office Products Industry, which will aim to provide CEO's and Product Category Directors with monthly information on 12 specific high level classifications.

The launch of the new sales trend initiative was announced by BOSS Federation Chief Executive Michael Gardner at the BOSS AGM and Members Day, held aboard the MV Golden Jubilee on the River Thames on 9th September.

"This is an excellent new initiative which will enable our member companies to see market trends," said BOSS Federation Chief Executive, Michael Gardner. "Aimed at CEO and Marketing Director level, this will help those personnel who are trying to forecast the market and its performance levels going forward," said Gardner.

The new service will be provided free of charge to all BOSS members, as well as those who contribute to the data collection. Month on month, quarter on quarter and year on year trends will be tracked by the 12 product groups, which are based on the BOSS level 1 to 3 categories.

At the beginning of each month members will be requested to supply quantity and value information in a simple spread sheet format for each of the respective categories. In return, those supplying information will receive the high level trend information on a monthly basis together with trend graphs.

BOSS has agreements in place with a number of major companies in the industry to supply this data, including Vow, Spicers, Lyreco and Office2Office. The Consortium, Tesco and Asda have agreed in principle to join this BOSS initiative.

The 12 categories being reported on are Books & Pads, Envelopes & Labels, EOS & Software, Facilities Management, Filing & Storage, Furniture, Machines, Other, Paper, Presentation, Traditional and Writing Instruments.

The trend data will produced monthly in excel format as part of a Non Disclosure Agreement with TVP Ltd.

The BOSS AGM also heralded the changeover in directors, with the new Federation Chairman and Vice-Chairman being announced. This will see Philip Beer of Hamelin Paperbrands taking over the reign of Chairman from Alan Barclay of Vow, and Alan Ball, Managing Director of Spicers, who takes over Philip Beer's former role as Vice-Chairman.

Members were also treated during the day to an enlightening presentation on Category Management and its commercial edge when applied to the stationery and office products sector by David Sables, CEO of Sentinel Management Consultants.

This was followed by a sociable sit-down lunch, whilst members enjoyed the views on either side of the River Thames.

The 2010 BOSS AGM was the Federation's 105th and its seventh as a company limited by guarantee.