Bulk Buy vs Subscription: What’s Best for Office Consumables?
When it comes to stocking your office with essentials like coffee, tea, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies, it’s easy to get stuck between two options: bulk buying or setting up a subscription.
So, which is better for your business?
Let’s break down the pros and cons of each so you can decide what makes sense for your office, whether you're a small Sydney startup or managing supplies for a multi-level commercial workspace.
What Are Office Consumables?
Office consumables are the everyday items that keep your workplace running smoothly. They include:
- Coffee, tea, sugar, milk
- Cleaning products and hand sanitiser
- Paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper
- Snacks, drinks, and breakroom essentials
- Dishwashing liquid, bin liners and more
Whether you’re a busy admin assistant or an office manager trying to keep 40 people caffeinated, running out of these basics can bring chaos to your workday.
Option 1: Bulk Buying Office Supplies
Pros:
- Cost savings on large quantities
Bulk buys often come with volume discounts, which can significantly cut costs, especially for high-use items like coffee or toilet paper. - Fewer orders, less admin
Buying in bulk means fewer purchase orders and deliveries to track. You stock up once and you’re set for weeks or months. - Avoid running out during peak periods
End-of-financial-year, staff onboarding or flu season? Bulk buying keeps you prepared when usage spikes.
Cons:
- Storage space required
100 rolls of toilet paper and 20 boxes of tea bags sound great until you’re cramming them into the stationery cupboard. - Cash flow hit upfront
You’re paying a bigger amount in one go, which may not suit smaller businesses with tighter budgets. - Risk of over-ordering
If your team size changes or you misjudge usage, you may end up with expired or unused stock.
Option 2: Subscription Orders for Office Consumables
Pros:
- Set-and-forget convenience
Subscriptions automate your orders. You choose the frequency and the products just show up. No more last-minute panic orders. - Easier cash flow management
Smaller, predictable payments over time help with budgeting, especially for startups and growing teams. - Customisable to your usage
Need more coffee and fewer snacks next month? Many subscription services (like Office Supermarket’s) let you adjust your order anytime.
Cons:
- Less price flexibility
While subscriptions are competitively priced, they may not always offer the deep discounts of large bulk orders. - Risk of under or over delivery
Your office usage can fluctuate, especially with hybrid teams or seasonal events. If your subscription isn’t updated regularly, you might get too much or not enough.
So, Which One’s Best for Your Office?
Choose Bulk Buying if:
- You have storage space
- Your team size is consistent
- You want to save money on high-use items like toilet paper, tissues or cleaning sprays
Choose a Subscription Model if:
- You want to reduce admin and automate your ordering
- Your team fluctuates in size or works hybrid
- You prefer predictable monthly expenses
Why Not Both?
Many of our Office Supermarket clients combine both models.
They bulk buy long-lasting items like paper towels and disinfectant spray.
They use subscriptions for perishables and fast-moving items like coffee, milk and snacks.
This gives you the best of both worlds: cost savings, convenience and consistency.
Ready to Stock Smarter?
At Office Supermarket, we offer both bulk order discounts and flexible subscription options tailored to your office size and needs.
Whether you’re managing one small kitchen or an entire building’s supply chain, we’ve got your back and your breakroom.