The right GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) can help lodging operators meet consumer demand.

A new lodging segment study reiterates why hotel operators need both procurement support and added-value services from their GPO (Group Purchasing Organization).

The study, conducted by Technomic, provides insights into consumer, industry and menu trends in the U.S., Canada and 23 countries around the world including luxury, upscale, midscale and economy hotel properties.

Topline Travel Stats

The Technomic study shows the following breakdown for consumer travel in 2023:

• 37% leisure travel
• 29% business travel
• 16% bleisure travel (travel that combines both business and leisure)

Key areas of focus for lodging operators

While the lodging sector is on the pathway to recovery, there are still headwinds. Here are the top four areas Entegra can support lodging operators to help them stay ahead.

1. Staffing up (and exploring low-labor alternatives)
   Vetting, recruiting, onboarding, managing and offboarding: Outsourced labor initiatives save time and money. Entegra’s workforce suppliers include Anserteam, Best Personnel, All Team and others to help its clients tap into workforce solutions — at significant savings.
   Smart products and preparation methods can also help offset the sting of labor shortages. Entegra regularly helps clients with labor solutions including:

   • Automations that handle cleaning and food prep
   • Machine-based retail like self-service kiosks
   • Delivery and service robots

   Case in point: Nilfisk is an automated cleaning robot — an Entegra supplier — that offers floorcare equipment, vacuum cleaners and high-pressure washers.
   Check out the white paper, Navigating Seismic Shifts in the Labor Market, to learn more.

2. Retaining staff with training
   Are your staff training materials up to snuff? Consider…

   • Pineapple Academy, an Entegra supplier, that supplies demo videos for compliance, safety, workforce skills development, cross training, upskilling and more.
   • ServSafe, a collaboration with the National Restaurant Association (NRA), offers Entegra clients ServSafe Food Safety Training and Certification at a 20% discount for members.
   • Walk the Talk is a series on hygiene, sanitation and food safety that can be downloaded for use “as is” or customized to suit your current training program

   Learn more in 5 Ways to Tackle the Lodging Labor Crisis.

3. Leaning into breakfast
   Not surprisingly, the study cites breakfast as core for lodging, with hot and indulgent foods like eggs, pancakes, waffles and bacon topping consumer preferences.
   Lodging operators should innovate menus with a mix of lighter and heavier breakfast dishes. Recommended highlights from the study include:

   • Unique brunch or all-day breakfast dishes
   • Recipe ideas to differentiate breakfast
   • Co-branding products between suppliers and hotel operators supported by product training and marketing materials

   Clients who need help differentiating their breakfast offerings can tap into the Entegra Performance Kitchen (EPK) for menu and recipe ideation as well as F&B trends. Helmed by Chef John Csukor, the EPK provides clients with a full-throttle F&B consultancy. 4

4. Selecting premium water and coffee (and saving money)
   According to the Technomic lodging study:
   • Ages 35-44 are most likely to use water fountains and refillable water stations
   • Ages 18-34 are more interested than older counterparts in buying a premium coffee on-premises or at a nearby coffee shop

Entegra’s Local and Direct Savings program offers a wide selection to meet the demand for high-quality coffee and water for every hotel property, from luxury to economy. Entegra clients enjoy savings on:

• Primo water including brands like Sierra, Crystal Springs, Fiji, LaCroix and more
• Vivreau wate r, which provides water dispensers, water filtration, and branded bottles
• Lavazza’s premium single-cup cartridge coffee dispenser system
• Royal Cup coffee for commercial, premium and micro-lot blends
• …and many more

Ready to go beyond procurement?

Now more than ever, hotel operators need access to negotiated prices on top-quality products and services plus expert advisory support. Entegra delivers both.

See what Entegra can do for your hotel operations: Call us at 833-977-1765 or fill out this contact form today.

Source:
^{Technomic Lodging Report:
Intelligence to drive F&B growth in the new environment
Technomic provides insights into consumer, industry and menu trends in the U.S., Canada and 23 countries around the world.}

February 09, 2024