Struggling with rising costs and tight budgets? For cultural and heritage venues, boosting profitability doesn’t have to mean chasing more revenue—cutting costs through smarter purchasing can be a much easier way to achieve your goals.
Group Purchasing Organisations (GPOs) offer a simple yet powerful solution. By leveraging collective buying power, GPOs help businesses secure the best prices on essential goods and services. Here’s how GPO partnerships work and why they’re a game-changer for cultural and heritage venues.
What is a GPO, and How Does It Work?
A GPO uses the collective buying power of its members to negotiate better prices on goods and services. Think of it as a bulk-buying club where businesses of all sizes benefit from cost savings without sacrificing quality. For cultural venues, this means significant reductions in procurement costs and simplified operations, leaving you to focus on delighting your visitors.
The best part? Joining a GPO doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your current supplier relationships. Many GPOs allow venues to keep existing suppliers while adding new, cost-effective options into the mix. There may even be opportunities for you to see savings with existing suppliers using a GPOs pre-negotiated discounts
How to Choose the Right GPO for Your Venue
Selecting the right GPO is about finding a partner that delivers more than just cost savings—it’s about enhancing your operations, supporting sustainability, and aligning with your goals. Here’s what to look for:
1. Flexibility to Meet Your Needs
A good GPO understands that every venue is unique. Look for one that allows you to keep trusted suppliers while introducing new ones that offer better value or align with your priorities, such as sustainability or specific product needs.
2. Responsible Sourcing
A GPO can help your business improve the sustainability and efficacy of its supply chain by vetting its suppliers to ensure they’re compliant with environmental regulations and are employing eco-friendly practices in their day-to-day operations. This means you can reduce your environmental impact without spending hours searching for the most ethical options.
3. Operational Support and Digital Tools
The best GPOs offer more than just purchasing power—they provide expert advice and tools to help you optimise operations. From reducing food waste to improving energy efficiency, they act as partners in streamlining your processes. Additionally, digital tools that track spending and highlight cost-saving opportunities give you control and insight into your procurement strategy.
5. Expertise in Your Sector
Choose a GPO with experience working with cultural and heritage venues. A partner that understands your specific challenges can deliver tailored solutions and better support your mission.
The right GPO offers flexibility, sustainability, operational expertise, and tailored support—just like Entegra.
How to Get Started with a GPO
Partnering with a GPO is straightforward, and it begins with understanding your needs:
- Assess Your Key Expenses
Identify areas where cost savings could make the most impact, such as food and beverage procurement, cleaning supplies, or energy costs. - Research GPO Options
Look for a GPO that understands your sector and shares your values. A good GPO will offer flexible options, allowing you to keep your existing suppliers where needed and introduce new ones where it makes sense. - Evaluate the Benefits
Work with your GPO to explore potential savings and operational improvements. Calculate how much you could save and think about where those savings could be reinvested, whether that’s enhancing programming or improving visitor facilities. - Monitor and Optimise
Once you’ve joined, regularly review your partnership to ensure it continues delivering value. A strong GPO will work with you over time to refine your approach and maximise the benefits.
How Entegra Can Help Your Venue Save Up to 10%
Entegra uses £32 billion in global purchasing power and an extensive supplier network to secure discounts on everything from food and beverages to energy-efficient equipment, all while prioritising sustainability and quality.
On average, our partners save up to 10% on key operational costs. With a free operational audit, we can identify savings across areas like food, beverage, cleaning products, and more. Our experts provide tailored recommendations to streamline your costs and boost efficiency, with all decisions remaining entirely in your control.
This premium service comes with no fees, no commitments—just support to help your venue thrive. Contact Entegra today to explore the benefits of a GPO partnership.
