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Seasonal paper product procurement depends on the type of facility and how the number of users changes throughout the year. The tourist season can increase consumption in hotels and restaurants, while annual leave can simultaneously reduce the number of employees in offices. Holidays, school breaks, events and weather conditions can further change stock requirements.
Therefore, seasonal planning should not rely solely on average monthly consumption. It is more important to consider: when the facility has more or fewer users, how long the change lasts and which products experience the highest consumption during that period.
According to Eurostat data, July and August accounted for 31% of all overnight stays in EU tourist accommodation during 2025. Strongly seasonal markets recorded a significantly higher concentration. In Croatia, these two months accounted for 54.5% of annual overnight stays.
Besides timing, it is also important to determine which paper products to purchase for each type of facility. You can read more about this topic on our blog: Paper products: A complete guide to types, systems and applications.
Why does seasonal consumption differ across business facilities?
The same time of year can affect different facilities in completely different ways. While the number of users increases in one facility, it decreases in another. Therefore, procurement should follow the actual usage pattern of the premises rather than the calendar alone.
| Type of facility | Period of potentially higher consumption | Period of potentially lower consumption | Main factor behind the change |
| Hotels and tourist accommodation | Tourist season, holidays, events | Off-season periods | Occupancy and number of overnight stays |
| Restaurants and cafés | Tourist season, holidays, weekends, events | Depends on the location and concept | Number of guests and table turnover |
| Offices and commercial buildings | Periods of full employee attendance | Summer holidays, public holidays, company-wide holidays | Number of employees present in the facility |
| Shopping centres | Pre-holiday periods, weekends, seasonal promotions | Periods with fewer visitors | Number of visitors |
| Banks and branches | Regular working periods and high-traffic days | Public holidays and non-working days | Number of employees and customers |
| Schools and educational institutions | School term | Summer, winter and other school holidays | Number of students and employees |
| Conference and event venues | Trade fairs, conferences and events | Periods without scheduled events | Event calendar |
| Industrial facilities | Periods of full production | Company-wide holidays or planned shutdowns | Number of shifts and employees |
How does the tourist season affect paper product procurement?
The tourist season primarily increases demand for paper products in facilities whose business volume depends on the number of guests: hotels, apartment complexes, restaurants, cafés, tourist centres and facilities at popular destinations. Higher occupancy means more intensive use of toilets, rooms, communal areas and hospitality zones.
How does annual leave affect consumption in offices?
In offices and commercial buildings, annual leave can have the opposite effect to the tourist season. During July and August, fewer employees may be present in the facility, which reduces the use of toilets, kitchens, kitchenettes and other communal areas.
How do holidays affect offices, hotels and retail facilities differently?
A holiday does not automatically lead to higher consumption. Its effect depends on the facility’s function. Offices and bank branches may consume less due to non-working days, while hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and certain tourist facilities may receive more visitors before or during holidays.
How far in advance should you plan procurement before a period of increased consumption?
Planning should begin before the expected increase in toilet paper and paper towel consumption actually occurs. The required lead time depends on the quantity, available storage space, delivery schedule and agreement with the supplier, so no universal timeframe applies to every facility.
A more practical approach involves defining the expected start of the period of increased consumption, the required safety stock and the reorder point in advance. This approach allows the facility to respond before consumption increases.
What should you monitor before changing the order quantity?
Before increasing or reducing the order quantity, you should consider several indicators together. The season alone cannot show how much paper a facility will need.
The most useful data include:
- consumption during the same period in the previous year
- current stock levels
- expected number of guests, visitors or employees present
- calendar of holidays, annual leave and company-wide breaks
- reservations, events or planned conferences
- number of active shifts
- supplier delivery schedules and lead times
- available storage space
These data provide a more realistic basis for planning than average monthly consumption.
How can you avoid excessive or insufficient seasonal procurement?
Excessive procurement occupies storage space and ties up funds in inventory, while insufficient quantities increase the risk of emergency restocking. Facilities can achieve balance by adjusting orders to expected consumption and keeping a certain level of safety stock available for unforeseen changes.
It is particularly important to distinguish between a short-term surge, such as a holiday weekend or event, and a longer seasonal change, such as the summer tourist season or a period of annual leave lasting several weeks.
A reliable supplier also plays an important role by coordinating quantities and delivery times with the facility’s actual needs. This reduces the need to build up large stocks in advance, while the facility receives paper products in the agreed quantity and at the right time.
Seasonal paper product procurement – FAQ
What should you do with stock after the season ends?
You should include the remaining quantities in the next procurement calculation instead of automatically repeating the previous order. Store paper products under suitable conditions and protect them from moisture and other factors that may affect product quality.
Does seasonal procurement mean that you should also change the type of paper products?
Not necessarily. Seasonal changes most often affect the required quantities and restocking schedule, while dispensers, the purpose of the premises and the facility’s requirements primarily determine the type of paper products. Consider changing products when the consumption system, equipment or use of the premises changes.
How does available storage space affect seasonal procurement?
A facility with limited storage space does not need to receive the entire seasonal quantity at once. Multiple deliveries can keep stock levels aligned with the facility’s needs without occupying unnecessary space. Planning should also consider the conditions in which the facility stores paper products.
How should you plan seasonal procurement for a company with multiple locations?
You should assess each location according to its actual consumption and usage patterns. Branches in tourist, commercial or residential areas may not follow the same consumption pattern, even when they use the same products. A company can therefore centralise procurement while determining delivery quantities and schedules for each location.
Seasonal procurement does not simply mean increasing stock before a period of higher traffic. It means adjusting stock to the facility’s actual rhythm throughout the year. If you want to align delivery quantities and schedules with your facility’s needs, we can create a procurement plan together.
About the author:
Milja Tonić – SEO Content Strategist & Copywriter
Milja Tonić is an SEO Content Strategist and Copywriter at LUU. She works with the sales and technical teams to create content about professional paper products, dispensers and hygiene management in business facilities.