5 Things to Consider When Buying Hotel Supplies Online

Invest in guest comfort

Managing housekeeping inventory is one of the most essential elements of running a hotel. For guests, this process is invisible; they simply return to their room and find fresh towels and bedsheets. But for you, it’s a constant balancing act between keeping stock levels high and reducing expenses.

One of the easiest ways to ensure your hotel’s inventory remains topped up is through online hospitality retailers and wholesalers. However, not all online retailers are alike. If you want to buy hotel supplies online, remember the following tips.

5 considerations when buying hotel supplies online

Choose reputable supplies from quality brands

Before looking further into subscription options or other perks, you should ensure that your supplier’s inventory offers top-rated commercial products.

Choosing a supplier that offers lower prices on generic products or unknown brands might save you a little money in the short term but lead to increased costs down the road as you replace worn-out linens or burn through substandard cleaning products.

Instead, choose a supplier that offers cleaning supplies, bedding and bathroom essentials from trusted brands. For example, Walmart Business+ provides a curated selection of hospitality supplies from brands like Tide, Better Homes & Gardens and Mainstays, all at everyday low prices.

Avoid getting locked into inconvenient vendor contracts

Some American hotel supplies vendors require hotels to sign an agreement before doing business. In exchange, many offer increased discounts, regular deliveries and stable pricing throughout the fiscal year. 

Signing a vendor contract may seem beneficial at first glance, but check the fine print. A supplier may lock you into specific purchase volumes before shipment or require regular purchases, even if your hotel is fully stocked. Others may require you to retain them as a vendor for a specific period of time or may even require exclusivity.

Any contract you sign should allow you to retain as much flexibility as possible while reducing risk. If you’re uncomfortable with the terms, the potential cost savings won’t be worth the hassle.

Automated shipments can help you maintain stock levels

You’re busy managing your hotel and keeping your guests happy. The last thing you need to worry about is micromanaging your inventory levels. 

Look for a supplier that will help you automate shipments of crucial supplies so you’ll never run out of the things you and your guests need. Consider setting monthly or bi-weekly shipments of consumables like food, snacks or cleaning supplies. Tracking inventory use over time will help you determine the proper shipment intervals. 

For more durable supplies, quarterly or bi-annual shipments can help you meet the ongoing need for towels and bedsheets. Automating these shipments will help housekeeping meet recommended par linen inventory levels–usually three sets of laundry per guest room–and ensure each guest’s stay is as clean and comfortable as possible.

Look for a robust online portal for managing orders and expenses

When you buy hotel supplies online, your supplier should offer more than just a storefront. It should act as a portal to your entire relationship with the vendor, complete with self-service order management and expense tracking features.

For example, Walmart Business+ provides expense tracking with its Spend Analytics tool. It allows hotel owners to analyze their spending patterns across multiple categories of products, helping to inform budgeting decisions based on what the hotel actually uses.

Choose sustainable, environmentally friendly products

The average hotel room uses between 100 and 400 gallons of water per day, so conservation and sustainability should be at the forefront of every hotel owner’s mind. 

However, your needs may differ on a state-by-state basis. For example, because of regular drought conditions, the hospitality supplies that California hotels use should focus on lowering water consumption as much as possible. 

Installing low-flow toilets and water flow restrictors in sinks and shower heads will help reduce guest water use. When decorating, choose plants that don’t require frequent watering, like Yucca plants or ZZ plants.

Buying in bulk and opting for single monthly shipments can help you reduce your carbon footprint even more. A little bit of planning up-front will help put your hotel on the path toward sustainability.

Buy smarter with Walmart Business+

If you’re shopping for hotel supplies online, look no further than Walmart Business+. Stock up on essential cleaning supplies, upgrade your decor and get fresh groceries delivered from your local Walmart store right to your door. Plus, you’ll unlock powerful Spend Analytics tools and earn 2% back in rewards on purchases of $250+¹, helping you save even more money. 

Want to learn more? Sign up today. 

¹Exclusions apply. See full terms for details.