In the United States, people drink as many as 400 million cups of coffee each day, which equals a whopping 146 billion each year, so if you run an office or business, you need to purchase coffee and coffee creamer supplies and equipment. In America's offices, employees expect caffeine on hand, and 75% of all caffeine consumed by Americans is in the form of coffee. In banks, salons, auto repair shops, restaurants and many other businesses, customers also appreciate having joe handy. Show customers you appreciate their business by keeping coffee and creamer in steady supply.

Whatever your business is, it's easy and inexpensive to stock quality creamers for employees and customers. But before you run out and grab the first coffee creamer product you see, take the following into consideration:

1. A variety of traditional coffee creamer products should always be handy.

2. A collection of special varieties of coffee creamer shows consideration.

3. A few coffee creamer supplies are also necessary.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select several good, standard coffee creamer products

Having a nice selection of creamers available to your customers or employees shows consideration. Have at least one or two popular brands of 'regular' creamer on hand, a choice between liquid or powdered and a few flavored creamers, too.

I recommend: Pine Mountain Springs sells powdered, liquid and flavored creamers, including popular brands like Coffee-Mate and Land O Lakes. My Coffee Supply also carries regular and flavored creamer products, including dry packets, liquid cups and canisters of popular brands.

Add a few healthier coffee creamer products

For those who are health conscious, have a selection of organic, non-dairy and low-sugar or sugar-free creamers available. These come not only in popular brands but in less-known brands with lots of appeal, like low-fat chocolate creamer, non-dairy amaretto, organic almond and vegan French vanilla creamers, to name a few.

I recommend: Nature's Flavors carries organic coffee creamer, non-dairy creamer and sugar-free creamers in many delicious flavors such as vanilla and chocolate. S&D Coffee offers well-known creamer brands, as well as sweeteners and other coffee products.

Stock up on a few coffee creamer supplies

Some popular brands of creamer come in pump bottles, making for quick and easy usage and cleanup. For other types of creamer, you'll need creamer cups on hand. These come in a number of styles, but stainless steel is most common. You should also stock stirrers, either wooden or plastic.

I recommend: ReStockIt.com sells stainless steel and porcelain creamers in many styles and sizes. Coffee.org carries plastic and wooden stirrers, plus many other coffee-making supplies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whenever possible, buy coffee creamer supplies and equipment at the same wholesale location; this saves both time and money since you won't have to order from several locations and pay shipping more than once. Buy creamer and supplies like stirrers in bulk so you purchase less frequently, thereby saving on shipping costs.

Any business that offers coffee can create an atmosphere of customer care by offering an unlimited choice of coffee creamer. Day spas, hair salons, auto repair shops, restaurants, bars and coffee houses can provide today's conscious consumer with an array of choices. Some customers prefer liquid, while others prefer powered coffee creamer. Patrons want the option to select from a number of specialty and traditional flavored creamer choices. Health conscious customers require soy products, lactose free or non-dairy coffee creamer to meet their personal or dietary restrictions. Catering to the consumer’s desires and taste is a marketing strategy that encourages clientele to return to your establishment.

Consult with a knowledgeable coffee creamer provider to take advantage of your options. Utilize coffee creamer information or ask the vendor to supply you with a coffee creamer directory created by their company or brand. A coffee creamer list is also a useful tool to find a variety of coffee creamer types and brands. Search out proposals that offer discounts on shipping, bulk purchases and targeted coffee products recommended by the coffee creamer provider.

1. Consult with a coffee creamer provider about alternative brands and flavors.

2. Consider ordering bulk coffee creamer to stay within an allotted budget.

3. Offer a choice of healthy or favorite specialty coffee creamer to your patrons.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a coffee creamer list that includes healthy or flavorful choices

Offer your customers options. Customers enjoy picking amongst different flavored or health conscious creams. Seek to supply your patrons with their choice of coffee creamers.

I recommend: Dean Foods has an extensive line of International Delight brand coffee creamers, as well as non-fat coffee creamer. Pine Mountain Springs has flavored Coffee Mate styles of coffee creamer and offers single pack options.

Place bulk orders on coffee creamer to save money

Order coffee creamer in bulk to get the discounts on pricing, shipping and targeted products. Bulk orders allow your business to have coffee creamer on hand. Ask about coffee creamer that doesn't require refrigeration when buying in bulk.

I recommend: My Coffee Supply has discounted bulk coffee creamer in various sizes. Coffee Wholesale USA has Coffee Mate liquid creamers in handy 1.5 liter pump bottles. No refrigeration is necessary.

Carry health conscious and specialty coffee creamer

Consult a coffee creamer provider for alternatives to mainstream coffee creamers to consider for purchase. Allow your customer to choose between international favorites, traditional or healthy coffee creamer.

I recommend: Natures's Flavor.com has organic bulk products that come in a variety of health conscious choices and flavors. Healthy Java Shop supplies health conscious coffee creamer in bulk and has a try it first option.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A coffee creamer directory is an indispensable list to have as you build your inventory. Put a coffee creamer list on display for your patrons. Use the directory to find coffee creamer information for the list.
• •  Designate a place for storage of coffee creamer, especially if you're buying in bulk.

Coffee creamer is an essential commodity in any business serving coffee and coffee products. Whether you run a restaurant, cafe, diner, coffee shop or simply have an area for employees to get coffee, you will want the lowest cost available and have knowledge on getting the best deals. With the many choices available you can get a quality coffee creamer without spending a fortune.

A start in getting the lowest costs available from coffee creamer suppliers is to know how to make your purchases to utilize the best deals for your budget. Here are a few ideas to get started on getting the most value for your money on coffee creamer from vendors specializing in them.

1. Buy bulk coffee creamer from coffee creamer vendors.

2. Offer a variety to your customers or employees to find the non coffee creamer products that sell best.

3. Consider using a coffee creamer manufacturer that offers free or reduced shipping.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Explore the cost options in saving with bulk purchases of coffee creamer

Coffee creamer vendors often offer discounts when purchasing bulk supplies. Make the most of this money saving technique by buying your supplies in high volumes each time you place an order. This will not only save on freight costs but can provide you a discounted price by purchasing bulk quantities.

I recommend: CV Coffee has bulk coffee creamer available in a variety of flavors for as little as $5.47 for 50 when purchasing in bulk. The same coffee creamer purchased individually could cost half that for one bottle of creamer. Take advantage of high volume purchasing from Food Service Direct who offers popular brand items in bulk quantities as low as $36.75 to $47.85 per case.

Learn your customer or employees' favorite coffee creamer brands

There is a wide variety of different coffee creamer products available to offer to your customers and employees. From creamer packets to liquids and flavored creamer, finding the product that everyone enjoys best will save money and lessen wasted products. Find a coffee creamer manufacturer that offers a variety of creamers for you to try in your business.

I recommend: The Webstaurant Store has many different coffee creamers to choose from in canisters for as little as $25. Pine Mountain Springs offers a variety of brands of coffee creamer products. Get 900 packets per box for as low as $31.95.

Get free shipping on coffee creamer orders to save extra costs

Shipping costs only add to your expenditures so it is always a good idea to explore vendors who offer free shipping or discounted freight. The extra that you save can go towards other purchases or larger orders.

I recommend: OnTimeSupplies has free shipping for orders over $75 and has re-closeable canisters perfect for employee break rooms. Discount Coffee offers free shipping on orders over $50 and live chat help for customer service questions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to check to see if the coffee creamer you purchase needs refrigeration.

Coffee creamer key terms will introduce you to some of the various types of coffee creamers. Many of the products are specifically created for use as coffee creamers. Others are similar in makeup as a coffee creamer and offer a similar creamy, flavorful result when mixed with coffee.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Coffee whitener

Coffee whitener is another name for coffee creamer. It lightens the color and adds a smooth, creamy flavor to coffee.

I recommend: RingSurf defines coffee whitener and offers several coffee whitening options. Refer to JimTrade for information on coffee whitener for your business.

Milk powder

Milk powder is the result of removing moisture from milk in order to create a shelf-stable option to be reconstituted at the time of its use.

I recommend: The Codex Alimentarius Commission defines milk powder, expounds on its uses including as a coffee creamer, and details the specifics of its makeup. See Hyfoma for an in-depth definition of milk powder and more details of its construction.

Coconut milk powder

Coconut milk powder is a milk powder made with coconut oil. This coffee creamer option provides satisfaction for those who cannot have dairy, as well as those looking for a lower fat alternative to creams.

I recommend: Explore the EnerHealth Botanicals website on coconut milk powder to learn about the product and its benefits as a coffee creamer.

Silk creamer

Silk creamer is a soy-based alternative to coffee creamer. It is an option for those who are lactose intolerant.

I recommend: Go to Wegmans to learn about Silk creamer and its benefits.

Evaporated milk

Evaporated milk is commonly used as a coffee creamer. It is a reduction of regular milk that is sterilized prior to packaging.

I recommend: For a definition of evaporated milk, visit Integrated Publishing.

Palm-based non-dairy creamer

As an alternative to dairy creamers, palm-based non-dairy creamer is highly shelf stable. Palm oil is a healthier choice for those concerned about the high fat levels in other coffee creamers.

I recommend: The Malaysian Palm Oil Council supplies information on the applications of palm oil, including its use as a non-dairy creamer.