Bulk Office Supplies: 5 Things to Consider 

Stretch your budget further

Reducing costs is one of the most important aspects of running a small business. It means you can invest more time, money and energy into growing your company. One way to stretch your budget further is to buy office supplies in bulk, which reduces the cost per unit.

But to reach that goal of saving money, you can’t just move to buying large quantities of everything at once. While bulk buying can generally save you money, it can also be wasteful without the right strategy. We’ve compiled five different factors to consider before you purchase bulk office supplies.

5 things to consider before buying bulk office supplies

1. Look for brands you trust

When you’re buying bulk office supplies, prioritize items you trust. Choose brands you’ve used before whenever possible, and if not, ensure that what you’re buying is compatible with what you already have. For example, imagine bulk-purchasing hundreds of trash bags, only to find out that they actually don’t fit your trash can properly. Now, you’ve wasted time and money, and on top of that, you’re stuck with products you can’t even use.

If you’re trying out something new and are still unsure if it’s the perfect solution, start by buying in smaller quantities. If it suits your needs, you can purchase with confidence next time and enjoy the bulk savings. If not, you haven’t burned too many resources, and you can simply try again. 

2. Know which items are better in bulk

Another thing to consider when purchasing bulk office supplies is whether or not you’ll be able to use everything you buy in time. For example, some items, such as batteries, may degrade before you can use them. If you buy years’ worth all at once, you may end up wasting some product in the long run.

Keep this in mind when you’re stocking the break room, too. Perishables like salty snacks and coffee can become stale long before they’re technically expired. Refrigerated items go bad even more quickly, so don’t order more than your team can safely consume.

3. Organize your storage space

Knowing what to buy in bulk is only half of the equation. The other half is knowing where to store everything. You should have that part figured out before you place your orders.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to have an organization system for all your office supplies, bulk or otherwise. Don’t make any big orders until you have such a system in place, or else you’ll be left with distracting clutter. The longer you go without properly optimizing your storage space, the harder it is to finally get organized.

4. Maximize savings

Buying bulk office supplies can help make the most of a limited budget. While bulk purchases often amount to lower prices per unit, there are additional ways to stretch your dollar:

• Discount office supplies: If you plan in advance, you can take advantage of times when prices are naturally lower. For example, you can often find discount office supplies in August when retailers run back-to-school promotions.

• Seasonal offers: The start of school isn’t the only prime time for buying office supplies. November brings Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two of the biggest shopping days of the year. You can often find great prices on electronics in January, assuming last year’s models suit your business needs.

• Wholesale office supplies: Buying wholesale and buying in bulk often go hand-in-hand. Buying wholesale business supplies is a smart way to save money, but be aware that wholesalers may have limited inventory or require a minimum purchase. 
  
  

5. Find the right retail partner

Where you buy your office supplies will play a pivotal role in how much time and money you actually save. Look for retailers that have an ever-expanding inventory and offer repeat customers additional perks. For example, free shipping can add up to significant savings over the course of a year, and free delivery from local stores can help you fill in any last-minute gaps without going over budget.

Shop bulk office supplies at Walmart Business

If you’re looking for ways to save money while stocking up on office must-haves, Walmart Business can help. From electronics to furniture to the little things that keep businesses running, we make it easy to find what you’re looking for and even order in bulk.

If you’re already a Walmart Business customer, you can unlock even more savings by signing up for a Walmart Business+ membership. You’ll get access to free shipping,¹ free delivery from stores on orders over $35² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards for purchases over $250.³ That could add up to over $500 in savings a year!⁴ Learn more here.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply. 

³ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).