By Viktoriya Kotyash, Store Manager – West Region – Diocese of Sacramento
Many stores still rely on petty cash rather than business credit or debit cards for purchasing supplies. They designate employees or volunteers to visit local store chains to buy general supplies. This can be beneficial to support local stores that support your store’s mission. When this isn’t the case, stores can greatly benefit from having products delivered rather than making these purchases in person. Here are a few reasons why you should consider it:
Safety Benefits:
- Reduced Liability: Employees and volunteers face lower risk of theft and accidents while traveling, especially in unfamiliar or dangerous areas and bad weather.
- Lower Risk of Injury: Heavy lifting, navigating crowded stores, or dealing with bulky items can lead to injuries. Online ordering allows items to be delivered directly, minimizing the need for physically handling them until they arrive.
Other Benefits:
- Time Efficiency: Staff and volunteers can focus on the store’s mission and operations rather than spending time shopping for supplies. This efficiency can lead to better allocation of human resources.
- Cost Savings: Online shopping often provides access to competitive prices, tax exemptions for non-profits, discounts, and bulk purchasing options, which can help stretch the store’s budget further.
- Wider Selection: Online platforms usually offer a broader range of products, including specialized items that may not be available locally. This can be particularly useful for finding specific types of equipment or supplies.
- Streamlined Inventory Management: Online ordering systems often offer features like automatic reordering, tracking of past purchases, and inventory management tools.
- Convenience: Online ordering allows for easy comparison of products, prices, and reviews, enabling more informed purchasing decisions without the need to physically visit multiple stores.
Retailers to consider:
- Amazon Business: (National Partner)
-Offers bulk purchasing options and discounts on a wide range of products.
– Free shipping on eligible items with a Business Prime account and quick delivery at times as soon as the same or next day.
– Access to business-only pricing and analytics tools to track spending and optimize purchases.
–The Amazon Tax Exception Program (ATEP)
Best For: General supplies, office equipment, cleaning products, and miscellaneous items.
- Sam’s Club or Costco:
– Access to bulk purchasing, which is ideal for stocking up on essentials at a lower cost.
– Savings on shipping with business memberships.
Best For: Bulk items, office equipment and supplies, and janitorial supplies.
– Offers a wide variety of essential items like shelving, storage bins, and packing materials.
– Fast shipping and dedicated customer service for businesses.
Best For: Production equipment, shelving, storage solutions, and cleaning supplies.
- Store Supply Warehouse (National Partner)
– Specializing in store fixtures, displays, and retail supplies.
– Known for their wide selection, competitive prices, and customer service tailored to the needs of small businesses, including thrift stores.
-Special pricing and branded items for SVdP.
Best For: Mannequins, clothing racks, shelving units, hangers, and other items necessary for retail stores.
- Magnalite Catholic – SVdP (National Partner)
– Offering St. Vincent de Paul branded merchandise.
Best For: Prayer cards, medals, banners, and branded clothing or linen.
– Extensive inventory of industrial supplies, tools, and safety equipment.
– Offers fast shipping and bulk purchasing options.
– Specialized products that are often difficult to find elsewhere.
Best For: Maintenance supplies, safety equipment, and industrial tools.
– Large selection of tools, hardware, and building materials.
– Discount programs and credit lines available for businesses.
– Online ordering with in-store pickup options.
Best For: Tools, hardware, building supplies, and fixtures.
– These suppliers cater specifically to nonprofits, offering deep discounts on software, hardware, office supplies, and more.
– TechSoup provides software and technology at a fraction of the retail price.
– Good360 offers access to donated goods from major corporations.
Best For: Technology, office supplies, and donated goods.
By leveraging these retailers, stores can maximize their budgets, streamline operations, and access a wide variety of equipment and supplies.
If retailers are interested in learning how to become a National Partner, encourage them to reach out to Director of Stores Support Jeff Beamguard.
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These best practices and processes are available through the revised National Store Committee website, https://thriftstores.ssvpusa.org.
National Store Committee members are available in each of your regions as mentors and guides to assist you. https://thriftstores.ssvpusa.org/about-us.
If you have a topic that you would like addressed in a future Stores Corner article, please e-mail our Director of Stores Support Jeff Beamguard at jbeamguard@svdpusa.org.
