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GPOs Explained
Group Purchasing Organizations
A group purchasing organization, or GPO, helps businesses combine purchasing power to access better pricing, stronger supplier terms, and everyday savings on the products and services they already use.
From office supplies and shipping to software, HR tools, furniture, technology, and print services, the right GPO can help business owners reduce costs without adding extra procurement work.
FAQ
What Is a Group Purchasing Organization?
A group purchasing organization brings businesses together so they can buy with more collective power. Instead of each business negotiating alone, a GPO uses the combined purchasing volume of many members to help secure better vendor pricing, improved terms, and access to supplier programs. For small and mid-sized businesses, this can make it easier to save on everyday purchases without needing a full internal procurement team.
Pool Purchasing Power
Businesses join together through a shared purchasing program.
Access Better Supplier Pricing
The GPO negotiates pricing and terms with vendors.
Save on Everyday Needs
Members can save on common purchases like supplies, shipping, software, HR, and technology.
The Movement
Why Businesses Use GPOs
Many businesses overspend on everyday operating expenses because they do not have the time, data, or volume to negotiate better pricing on their own.
A GPO can help by giving businesses access to pre-negotiated supplier programs across categories they already use, including:
- Office supplies
- Cleaning and breakroom products
- Copy and print services
- Shipping
- Technology
- Furniture
- HR and payroll software
- Hiring and recruiting tools
- Marketing and communication software
- Payment processing
5 Common Types of Group Purchasing Organizations
Industry-Specific GPOs
Industry-specific GPOs, sometimes called vertical GPOs, focus on one industry, such as healthcare, education, government, or hospitality. These organizations help participants source products and services that are specific to that sector.
Example: Premier Inc.
Product-Specific GPOs
Product-specific GPOs, sometimes called horizontal GPOs, bring together companies from different industries that purchase similar categories of products or services. These often focus on common business needs like office supplies, IT equipment, facilities management, travel, or temporary labor.
Example: Omnia Partners
Volume Buying GPOs
Volume buying GPOs help multiple companies combine category-specific purchasing volume to secure better pricing. This approach is often used for direct materials or specialized purchasing categories.
Example: Allstar Purchasing
Diversified GPOs
Diversified GPOs serve businesses across different industries, company sizes, and purchasing categories. These GPOs often focus on indirect spend: the everyday products and services companies need to operate. This is where Elevate by Excelerate America fits. Elevate.Deals supports small and mid-sized businesses with purchasing programs across categories like office supplies, cleaning and breakroom, print, technology, furniture, shipping, software, and more.
Purchasing Co-ops
Purchasing cooperatives are member-run organizations where participants may share ownership, governance, profits, or losses. These are common in industries like agriculture, utilities, insurance, and food.
Example: American Farm Bureau Federation
The right GPO for You
Which Type of GPO Is Right for Your Business?
Not every GPO is designed for the same kind of business. Some are built for hospitals, manufacturers, or government agencies. Others are built around one product category. For many small and mid-sized businesses, the most useful option is a diversified GPO because it supports the everyday categories businesses purchase most often.
Identify Your Biggest Spending Categories
Start by looking at what your business buys most often. Are you spending on office supplies, shipping, software, payroll, HR, furniture, technology, or cleaning and breakroom products? The right GPO should support the categories where your business has consistent, repeat purchasing needs.
1
Match the GPO Type to Your Business Needs
Different GPOs are built for different buyers. Some focus on one industry, some focus on one product category, and others support a wide range of everyday business purchases. For many small and mid-sized businesses, a diversified GPO is often the best fit because it helps with common operating expenses across multiple categories.
2
Choose the Option That Makes Saving Simple
The best GPO should make it easier to access savings without adding extra work. Look for a program that gives you clear supplier options, easy access to discounts, and practical support for the purchases your business already makes.
3
Membership is free, easy & totally worth it.
Trusted Vendors
Business Discounts Through Elevate Deals
Whether you are buying office supplies, shipping products, hiring employees, managing payroll, upgrading technology, or running marketing campaigns, Elevate Deals helps you find savings opportunities in one place.
- Shipping & Logistics
- Printing & Marketing
- Internet & Telecom
- Payroll & HR
- Office Supplies
- Business Services
- Payment Processing
- Technology & Software
FedEx
Typical Saving
20-45%
Dell
Typical Saving
25–55%
Office Depot
Typical Saving
25-55%
QuickBooks
Typical Saving
10-25%
Justworks
Typical Saving
10-25%
monday.com
Typical Saving
25-55%
Morgan Stanley
Typical Saving
25–55%
Impulse Payments
Typical Saving
25-55%
Aircall
Typical Saving
25–55%
Constant Contact
Typical Saving
25–55%
Termly
Typical Saving
25-55%
ZipRecruiter
Typical Saving
10–25%
PartnerShip
Typical Saving
20-45%
Gusto
Typical Saving
10-25%
+ many more
Good Questions
Group Purchasing Organization FAQs
What is a group purchasing organization?
A group purchasing organization helps multiple businesses combine purchasing power to access better pricing, supplier terms, and savings opportunities.
What type of GPO is best for small businesses?
For many small and mid-sized businesses, a diversified GPO is the best fit because it supports everyday categories like office supplies, shipping, software, HR, technology, and business services.
Is Elevate Deals a GPO?
Elevate Deals is a business savings platform connected to Excelerate America’s broader purchasing and supplier network. It gives business owners access to discounts and supplier offers across everyday operating categories.
What can businesses save on through Elevate Deals?
Businesses can access savings opportunities for office supplies, shipping, technology, accounting software, payroll, HR, recruiting, email marketing, payment processing, compliance tools, and more.
Do I need to be a large company to use Elevate Deals?
No. Elevate Deals is designed for business owners and teams that want easier access to savings on common everyday purchases.
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