The numbers behind tail spend: sourced statistics, benchmarks you can compare against, and original research from our annual survey. Use them to size the opportunity, set targets and build your business case.
Free report
Free PDF report. Enter your details and we’ll email it to you.
We’ll email you the PDF straight away.
No vendor pays for placement
Every figure traced to its origin
Last reviewed shown on every item
Fixed review schedule, not one-off
Sourced, dated figures on cost, suppliers and process
TailSpendManagement.com
The statistics procurement and finance teams look for most, gathered in one report. Every figure is traced to its original source and dated, so you can cite it with confidence.
Each report and benchmark page lives at one address and is reviewed on a fixed schedule.
ReportAvailable
Key tail spend statistics in one place, each with its source and date.
Updated quarterly Last reviewed October 2026
BenchmarkAvailable
What published benchmarks say about the cost of processing a purchase order, and how to calculate your own.
Updated twice a year Last reviewed October 2026
Survey reportSurvey open
Our annual survey of procurement and finance practitioners. Take part now; the full report follows in March 2027.
Updated yearly Last reviewed Report due March 2027
BenchmarkComing soon
Benchmarks for active tail suppliers and request-to-order cycle times.
Updated twice a year Last reviewed Not yet published
Help build the first independent picture of how organisations manage tail spend. The survey takes about 10 minutes, and every participant receives the full report before it is published.
Size the opportunity and set targets for your tail spend programme.
Test business cases and benchmark process costs.
Compare your supplier base and cycle times with published data.
Cite sourced, dated figures in your own work.
Use sourced figures to show why tail spend matters, then replace them with your own data as soon as you have it.
Compare your baseline with published ranges, and set targets as improvements on your own starting point.
Check savings and performance claims against independent data before you shortlist.
A benchmark is only as good as its source. Every report and benchmark page follows the same standards.
We cite the original study, not articles that repeat it, and link to it wherever it is public.
Every figure carries a date, and every page shows when it was last reviewed.
We note sample sizes, regions and definitions, because benchmarks often measure different things.
Where research is funded or hosted by a vendor, we say so next to the figure.
Subscribe once and we’ll email you when new editions are published.
Yes. Enter your name, business email and company, and we’ll email you the PDF straight away.
From published research by analysts, industry bodies, consultancies and vendors, traced to the original source. Vendor-funded research is labelled as such.
Yes. Please cite the original source shown next to each figure, and TailSpendManagement.com as the compiler.
Responses are analysed and reported only in aggregate. Individual answers and company names are never published.
No. We do not sell or share your details with vendors. We use them only to send you the report and occasional research updates, and you can unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.
Download Tail Spend Statistics 2026, free, straight to your inbox.
