Is Bulk Buying Batteries for Your Business The Sustainable Option?

Bulk buying batteries for your business means purchasing batteries in larger quantities and often at a slightly discounted price. There are certainly advantages to be had when taking this approach.

For a business who are looking to make savings where they can, then it may appear that buying something in bulk, including batteries, makes economic sense.

However, there are also some disadvantages as well.

Read on as we look at the advantages and disadvantages of buying batteries in bulk and consider whether it is a sustainable option.

Advantages of bulk buying batteries

There are quite a few advantages to buying batteries in bulk, which is why so many businesses choose to do this. Key advantages include:

•  Cost savings – Undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of buying batteries in bulk is the possibility for cost savings. Quite often, suppliers offer better prices for purchases of a larger number of batteries. For those businesses who use this consumable item on a large scale, this can help to reduce overheads and give significant savings.

• Availability and convenience – When you purchase in bulk you ensure that you have a constant supply of batteries rather than needing to remember to order them continually. This is particularly convenient when you are running a business and can save you time whilst avoiding the downtime that can result from suddenly running out of batteries when you most need them.

• Reduces packing waste – When you bulk buy batteries you can reduce packaging waste. This can be the packaging they are shipped in and also that which they are packaged in as larger quantities of batteries are usually packaged more efficiently. This can make bulk buying an eco-friendlier option which is appealing to those companies who are looking to improve their sustainability.

Disadvantages of bulk buying batteries

Of course, whilst there are advantages to this approach there are also several disadvantages. Including:

• Initial investment – If you are buying batteries in bulk then you will need to spend more money in one go. Whilst there are certainly cost savings to be made in the long run it does mean tying up some money in the bulk purchase and in cases where the budget is a little tight then this may not be a good idea.

• Storage space – When you buy a lot of batteries in one go you need to make sure that you have the space to store them, safely and properly. For those businesses working in a more compact environment, there isn’t always sufficient storage space to make this a viable option.

• Shelf life – Batteries have a limited shelf life, even those which are stored correctly. If you are buying in bulk, you need to be realistic about your usage to ensure you do not buy more than you can use before they reach their expiry date. You need to make sure that you conduct proper inventory management and also that you rotate the stock that you have to avoid this risk occurring.

What to think about when buying batteries in bulk

If you are thinking about buying batteries in bulk, consider the following:

• Battery usage
• Budget and other financial considerations
• Storage space
• Battery compatibility and type
• The reputation of the supplier you are thinking of using

All of these considerations should be factored into your decisions.

Buying batteries in bulk can be a sustainable option but you must consider all of the factors mentioned above before committing to the purchase. If you use a significant number of batteries, and have the budget and the storage space then this could be a good option for your company.