Procurement used to mean one thing — buying products at the lowest price. Today, it’s about much more. Businesses in hospitality, senior living, education, and more are using procurement. They want to cut costs, improve operations, and get ready for supply chain challenges.

The best way to achieve this? Partnering with a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO).

A GPO combines the buying power of thousands of businesses to negotiate better contracts than you could get on your own. But the real value goes deeper. From supplier diversity to digital tools, GPOs help businesses unlock procurement cost savings in ways that may astonish you.

Here are six simple cost saving methods in procurement that every business should know.

1. Look Beyond Simple Discounts

Many companies stop at supplier discounts. But those savings are only part of the picture.

A strong GPO can provide:

• Exclusive promotions that change monthly
• Savings you can plan your budget around

For example, Entegra is the largest food GPO in the world. It uses $42 billion in buying power. This helps clients save up to 30% compared to supplier list prices.

2. Protect Yourself from Supply Chain Disruptions

Sticking with one supplier might feel simple, but it can backfire when disruptions hit. Prices can spike overnight if tariffs, labor strikes, or shortages occur.

A GPO protects your business by:

• Offering access to a large supplier network
• Negotiating locked-in pricing to reduce volatility
• Providing alternatives when products are unavailable

3. Save Beyond Food and Beverages

If you only use a GPO for food, you’re missing out. Many GPOs help clients save on:

• Furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E)
• Maintenance and repair supplies (MRO)
• Energy services (often cutting utility costs by up to 20%)
• Sustainable products like eco-packaging or waste tracking tools

These additional categories can create significant procurement cost savings across your business.

4. Use Flexible Contracts

Not every purchase fits inside a catalog. That’s where flexible GPO programs come in.

The right partner can:

• Negotiate custom contracts for your unique needs
• Lock in preferred suppliers and brands
• Support consistency across multiple locations

This flexibility ensures you get both savings and brand control.

5. Improve Daily Operations

Lower prices aren’t the only way to save. A smart GPO can also improve efficiency. For example, using pre-prepared items, changing portion sizes, or training staff on waste reduction can cut costs. This can be done without lowering quality.

Entegra’s culinary consulting team helps clients change their menus, find better ingredients, and improve kitchen workflows. This boosts savings and customer satisfaction.

6. Use Digital and AI Tools

Old, manual processes waste time and miss opportunities. Digital procurement platforms make savings easier to capture.

Entegra’s EPRO puts all buying in one place. Its AI Shopping Assistant quickly shows product alternatives at better prices. That means less guesswork, more savings, and faster decision-making.

Final Thoughts

Procurement is no longer just about finding the cheapest option. It’s about building resilience, improving efficiency, and driving long-term growth.

By working with a GPO, you get better buying power, expert help, and technology. This can save money on purchases for your business. These six cost saving methods in procurement show that there’s always more value to uncover.