Procurement has never been more complex—or more critical—to business performance. The rise of operators joining a GPO (group purchasing organization) reflects this. 

GPO purchases by operators were up 27% in 2025 

• $52B in product was purchased with a GPO in 2021; GPO products purchased in 2025 rose to $90.3B¹ 

In 2026, operators across restaurants, senior living, lodging and other hospitality-driven businesses are navigating market volatility, rising costs and operational pressure. Tariffs continue to reshape supply chains. Inflation remains uneven but persistent. And labor constraints and technology gaps make it harder to act quickly when conditions change. 

Against this backdrop, one challenge rises above the rest: making confident decisions without clear, timely and trustworthy data. 

3 big procurement challenges operators face today 

1. Lack of transparency: Many operators struggle to see where their dollars are going—by category, supplier, SKU or location. Without clear visibility into purchasing patterns, it’s difficult to identify savings opportunities, track purchasing or understand the true impact of market changes like tariffs or commodity fluctuations.
2. Inconsistent or delayed reporting: Data often lives across disconnected systems, arrives weeks after decisions are made, or requires manual effort to interpret. By the time insights surface, the opportunity to act may have already passed.
3. In 2026, timeliness matters more than ever. When costs shift quickly—whether due to inflation, supply disruptions or regulatory changes—operators need near-real time tools that protect margins. 

👉 Download the State of Procurement 2026 

What operators rely on to move forward with confidence 

To overcome these challenges, operators are increasingly turning to a GPO that can deliver clarity, timeliness and actionable intelligence—not just lower pricing. 

Operators rely on Entegra for clean, centralized procurement data that brings transparency to complex purchasing environments. For example, instead of juggling spreadsheets and disconnected distributor reports, EPRO, powered by Entegra simplifies the entire procure-to-pay process—from approvals and purchasing to purchase orders, inventory, and supplier management. 

They also depend on actionable insights, not just raw numbers. Entegra translates purchasing data into practical guidance. Entegra’s Savings Optimizer is a digital tool available to all Entegra clients located within the client platform, Entegra PurchasingIQ. Using Savings Optimizer, operators easily identify SKU-level swap opportunities based on an operator’s spend history so they can quickly and easily boost their savings and potentially earn incentives. 

As prices soar, speed is crucial. Entegra Shopping Assistant is a browser extension that uses AI to help busy operators easily find Entegra-contracted items and alternatives while shopping on national distributor e-stores. The result? An average 10% savings on lower-priced Entegra-contracted products without having to waste time changing the ordering process busy operators are used to. 

To help operators navigate what’s ahead, Entegra created the State of Procurement 2026 report—a comprehensive look at the forces shaping procurement today and what they mean for your business. 

Inside, you’ll find: 

• Key trends impacting procurement, including tariffs, inflation and supply chain volatility
• Insight into how operators are responding—and where challenges remain
• Case studies from operators who have leveraged the power of Entegra’s digital GPO tools and other Entegra business enhancing strategies 

If you’re looking to understand how to do more with less—without sacrificing quality—this report is a must-read. 

👉 Download the State of Procurement 2026 to see how leading operators are turning data into decisions. 

¹2025 Technomic report: A strategic assessment of group purchasing organizations: Evolving procurement practices in a mature industry