Running a successful hotel lobby market or pantry can be a great way for hotels to offer additional convenience and value to their guests. However, creating and managing a well-stocked and well-organized lobby market requires attention to detail, strategic planning, and constant upkeep. In this article, we will discuss four key strategies for creating a successful hotel lobby market, and why each of these strategies is important.
1. Set Up
The set-up of your hotel lobby market is critical to its success. You want to make sure that the products are easy to access, easy to find, and attractively displayed. This starts with having the right number of racks, shelves, coolers, and freezers based on the number of rooms at the hotel. Lots of cooler space for water and other drinks is important, as they usually outsell snacks and other products. If you plan to sell frozen food, you will need freezers (assuming the market area or every room has a microwave) and ice cream.
It’s important to remember that your guests are likely to be tired and looking for convenience, so you want to make it easy for them to find what they need quickly. A well-organized and visually appealing layout will encourage guests to explore your offerings and increase the chances of them making a purchase.
To ensure that you plan for the right products for your market, request a list of the best-selling products at our hotel lobby markets HERE.
2. Source
Finding reliable suppliers that can provide the right beverages, snacks, sundries, and other products that guests are looking for is critical to a successful hotel lobby market. Short lead times are also essential, so you can quickly restock items that are running low.
It’s important to have a backup plan if supplies of certain products are constrained. This can include working with local retailers or online retailers to ensure you can still offer a diverse selection of products even if your primary suppliers run into issues. Regularly evaluating your suppliers and making adjustments as needed can help you stay on top of any potential supply chain challenges.
3. Stock
Once you have the right products and suppliers, it’s important to merchandise them properly and attractively. This means keeping the market well-stocked and inviting. Assign staff to stock the market during off-peak times, and during peak times if you suddenly run out of hot-selling products.
Monitoring sales and shrinkage regularly is essential so you can order products from suppliers in a timely manner. It’s also important to keep an eye on what products are selling well and which are not. This will allow you to adjust your inventory to better meet the needs of your guests.
A well-stocked lobby market can offer significant benefits to guests. For example, they may be able to purchase items they forgot to pack, or grab a snack or drink before heading out for a long day of exploring. Having a variety of options available can also help guests feel more at home, especially if they have dietary restrictions or preferences.
4. Sell
Finally, it’s important to make it easy for guests to purchase items from your hotel lobby market. Providing a self-checkout system is one way to streamline the process and make it more convenient for guests. Most consumers today are trained to use self-checkout due to the ubiquity of self-checkout stations at retail and grocery stores. In addition, providing a mobile app for guests to scan products and purchase directly from their smartphones will differentiate your hotel from others.
Allowing guests to pay with their debit or credit cards, or even their smartphones, can also help make the purchasing process more seamless. Accepting all major debit and credit cards can help you avoid losing potential sales due to payment method limitations.
One challenge that hotels may face when setting up and managing a lobby market is labor shortages. With many industries struggling to find enough workers, it can be difficult to find staff to manage the market. However, investing in training and development for existing staff, or even cross-training employees from other departments, can help you maintain a well-stocked and well-managed market.
Unlocking the potential of your hotel pantry or lobby market is achievable by following these four key strategies. In addition, it’s important to keep the area clean and organized with clear signage. Understanding your guests’ needs and preferences, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and gathering feedback can also help you continuously improve your hotel pantry or lobby market. Optimize your hotel pantry or lobby market with these strategies, and watch your revenue and guest satisfaction grow.
If you’re a hotel or hotel group that is struggling with the 4 strategies mentioned in this article, we can help. Sign up for a GrabScanGo Managed Lobby Market and: 1) we will set up the market at no cost to you, 2) we will stock and manage the market, and 3) we will provide a self-checkout terminal and mobile app. In addition, 4) we will share the profits with you. Learn more HERE.