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Supply Express, the on-campus retail store operated by Materiel Management, closes its doors today (June 3).

Like many brick-and-mortar businesses, Supply Express predates its online counterpart, , which will now be the primary point of purchase for office supplies, stationery, shipping supplies, packing boxes, laboratory supplies, cleaning supplies, dry ice, zero-waste event supplies and other merchandise — all of which had been Supply Express’ stock in trade. Supply Express, at the southwest corner of parking Lot 41, also served as a drop-off point for FedEx and UPS; will take on that responsibility, in 176 Hoagland Hall.

Closing Supply Express is a direct response to critical campus objectives, said Janice King, director of Materiel Management, which also operates the Central Storehouse.

“The decision to close Supply Express was made in light of the present budget situation and our need to increase operational efficiency,” she said. “All of the products offered through Supply Express are available for next-day delivery through our strategic sourcing agreements, accessed through UCDBuy, including the Central Storehouse. So we felt this decision would have a less detrimental impact on our customers than other potential operational changes.”

Supply Express was created in the mid 1990s as a satellite location of the Central Storehouse. According to Karl Reinking, business administrator for Materiel Management, at that time the demand for will-call pickups at the Central Storehouse was so great that storehouse operations were continually interrupted. Supply Express provided a convenient pickup location and enabled the Central Storehouse to operate more smoothly.

Today, as in the for-profit sector, online buying is growing exponentially while place-based purchasing takes on a different role. The Central Storehouse will continue to stock frequently used items that are not strategically sourced or not available through UCDBuy, such as tax-free alcohol, compressed gas and other commodities.

For campus customers, the advantages of UCDBuy include cost and time savings. All UCDBuy items are strategically sourced, meaning that the university has negotiated favorable systemwide pricing as well as service standards, such as next-day delivery. Payment is by departmental recharge processed directly in UCDBuy. Vendors deliver directly to departments, eliminating the need for staff to travel to Supply Express or any other retail location.

One aspect of the in-person shopping experience that will be missed is Daisy Tom’s friendly face. Happily, there will be no layoffs associated with the closure of Supply Express. Tom, who ran Supply Express, administered the Microscope Services inventory system and served as backup for Engraving Services (which is also closing, without layoffs, due to budget pressures), will still be around. She will continue to handle special orders and stock replenishment orders for the Central Storehouse while taking on other duties in Materiel Management.

Barbara Brady is director of communications for Administrative and Resource Management.