What is a potential downside of relying heavily on a single vendor?

Relying heavily on a single vendor can lead to limited variety and competitive disadvantages. When a business depends on just one supplier, it may find itself restricted to that vendor's products and services, which can stunt creativity and innovation. This lack of diversity may prevent the organization from responding effectively to market changes or customer preferences, as they might not have access to alternative products or pricing options available from other vendors. Consequently, this can also put the business at risk if the vendor faces issues such as supply chain disruptions, quality problems, or changes in pricing, ultimately impacting the overall operational effectiveness and competitiveness in the marketplace.