Marriott Markets To Competitors

<B> Marriott Markets To Competitors</B>

By Maria P. Vallejo

<I>Palm Springs, Calif.</I> - Marriott International earlier this month launched "Marketplace by Marriott," a one-stop shopping service for procurement needs available to Marriott and its competitors' properties via the telephone or Internet.

The new service, launched at Marriott's annual ownership conference here, will give franchisees and hotel owners access to commodities and services at overall savings of 5 to 10 percent. Marriott, based in Washington, D.C., will provide offerings usually purchased from numerous vendors, such as office supplies, food and beverage and uniforms.

"These are the things that make general managers' jobs easier," said franchisee Donnell Thompson, chairman and CEO of Thompson Hospitality, based in Roswell, Ga. Thompson said he plans to use the product when it comes online.

Franchisees at the conference were interested particularly in the insurance, employee leasing and energy services offerings, said Karen Blair, senior vice president of sales and marketing of Marketplace. Insurance premiums are expected to double and triple for some franchisees next year, she added.

Marketplace will partner with energy companies in each state, and currently is finalizing a deal with a California energy company and expects to close a similar deal in Pennsylvania in February.

Since most franchisees own properties under other brands, they can use Marketplace to provide services for hotels outside of Marriott.

Marketplace offers savings of 10 to 15 percent when using their Marriott Food Program by providing greater volume discounts. Marketplace also provides discounts of 20 percent or more on most services at Kinko's.

Marketplace has attracted preferred vendors, such as Ecolab, Pepsi and Uniforms to You. It will be available through the Internet by early next year.