What Is Grocery Stocking?

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How it works

After a booking is confirmed, a host can offer the grocery stocking service, often through a pre-arrival message. Interested guests provide a detailed grocery list, and sometimes a budget, to the host or property manager.

The host then coordinates the shopping and delivery, either personally or through a third-party service. Upon delivery, the items are unpacked and stored appropriately, and the cost, along with a service fee, is billed to the guest.

Why it matters

Offering grocery stocking elevates the guest experience, setting a property apart from competitors by providing a high level of convenience and personalized care. It is particularly valuable for guests arriving late, traveling with families, or staying in remote locations.

For hosts, it serves as an excellent upselling opportunity to increase revenue per booking, which can be easily promoted on a direct booking site. Systems like Lodgify provide a website builder that allows hosts to market such ancillary services directly to guests.

Examples

• A family arriving at a ski chalet late on a Friday night pays a service fee for the host to stock the fridge with milk, eggs, bread, and coffee for their first breakfast.
• The manager of a beachfront villa offers a 'Weekend Starter' package, which includes pre-stocking the kitchen with snacks, local craft beer, and bottled water for a set price.
• For a week-long stay in a remote cabin, guests email a full shopping list to the host. The host purchases the items and adds the grocery bill plus a 20% service fee to the final booking invoice.
• A host catering to honeymooners includes complimentary grocery stocking of champagne, orange juice, and a cheese platter as part of a premium romance package.