PROCUREMENT STRATEGY
The opportunity is no longer just to provide products; it’ s to become a trusted supplier that helps businesses operate more efficiently and grow with confidence.
Q. THE PHRASE‘ GROCERY FRICTION’ IS REALLY INTERESTING. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN A BUSINESS CONTEXT, AND HOW DOES MANAGING TOO MANY DIFFERENT VENDORS QUIETLY HURT A BUSINESS OWNER’ S BOTTOM LINE?
» Grocery friction refers to the everyday challenges businesses face when purchasing food, beverages and other workplace essentials like paper products or cleaning supplies.
Unlike many business purchases, grocery needs are frequent, time-sensitive and often unplanned. Whether it’ s restocking a restaurant kitchen, replenishing an office breakroom or replacing an item that unexpectedly runs out, those purchases can’ t always wait.
The hidden cost is often labor. When an employee has to step away from serving customers to place an order, drive to a local store or track down a missing item, that’ s time the business doesn’ t get back. Those interruptions can affect productivity, customer service and operating costs. The goal is to make routine grocery purchasing as simple and reliable as possible, so owners and employees can stay focused on running their business instead of managing errands.
58 October 2026