Why Buying Groups Matter More Than Ever
In today’s rapidly shifting business landscape, independent businesses face mounting pressures. From industry consolidation and rising operational costs to the never-ending race to stay competitive, the environment is more complex — and more unforgiving — than ever.
But amid this change, one powerful model continues to prove its relevance, resilience, and impact: The Buying Group or Purchasing Cooperative.
As President & CEO of LBMX, I’ve spent over two decades working closely with Buying Groups and Cooperatives across North America, Europe, and Australia. I’ve seen firsthand how these groups operate, evolve, and empower. And I can say with absolute confidence: groups matter more now than they ever have.
A Force for the Independent
Buying Groups have always been about strength in numbers. By pooling purchasing power, independent businesses gain access to competitive pricing, better terms, and increased influence with suppliers. But what’s often overlooked is just how far their value extends beyond the bottom line.
Buying Groups and Cooperatives:
- Level the playing field in industries increasingly dominated by large chains and conglomerates.
- Create shared purpose, bringing together like-minded businesses that want to grow without giving up their independence.
- Deliver strategic advantages, such as collective intelligence, centralized resources, and group-negotiated technology solutions.
Simply put: they empower the independent to thrive.
From Admin Engines to Growth Platforms
The role of the modern Buying Group has evolved. Where once they may have been seen as administrative hubs that tracked rebates and processed invoices, today’s groups are strategic growth platforms.
They’re centralizing data, analyzing purchasing behavior, and driving loyalty and engagement through smarter tools. And they’re leveraging technology not just to manage operations, but to build competitive advantage for their members.
This transformation is only accelerating in 2025, driven by new leadership, rising expectations, and digital innovation.
Technology as the Enabler
At LBMX, we’ve seen how the right platform can unlock extraordinary value for a group. When processes are streamlined, rebates are transparent, and members have real-time insight into their performance, confidence soars. The group becomes not just a partner, but an indispensable part of doing business.
That’s why we’ve built the only complete operating platform built for Buying Groups and Purchasing Cooperatives. Because we believe in the model. We believe in the mission. And we know how powerful these organizations can be when equipped with the right tools.
A Message to Group Leaders
If you’re leading a buying group today — whether a large-scale cooperative or a growing niche collective — know this:
You are the difference-maker.
Your work isn’t just about contracts and compliance. It’s about creating opportunities for independents to win in markets stacked against them. It’s about using collective power for mutual progress. It’s about building a future where choice and community still have a place.
And that future needs Buying Groups. Now more than ever.
Written by Greg Dinsdale, President & CEO, LBMX Inc.
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LBMX provides technology solutions that help independent businesses, and the groups they belong to, buy better and sell more. The LBMX platform is Buying Group focused and provides advanced technology to their members. With the power of real-time data and our unique one-to-many network, LBMX has transformed billing/ordering, rebate management, e-commerce, payment, and product information management across multiple sectors.
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