UNFI Wraps Up One of its Largest Customer and Supplier Events of the Year, Helping Retailers Prepare for 2022 Holiday Season

New products, retailer services, and innovations took center stage as more than 4,000 grocery customers, suppliers and industry professionals gathered this week in Minneapolis

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) (UNFI or “Company”), North America’s largest grocery wholesaler and distributor, today completed its annual UNFI Conventional Expo show. Building on the success of its June Mohegan Sun show, UNFI hosted nearly 2,700 customers, connecting them with the Company’s vast network of suppliers and providing them with the industry’s greatest access to food choices, fresh thinking, new innovations, services, show deals, and promotions only available at the show. UNFI’s Conventional Expo is held annually in July to help independent grocers plan, prepare, and buy for the upcoming holiday and spring selling seasons.

The annual UNFI Conventional Expo show, held in Minneapolis, Minn. from July 19-21, hosted nearly 2,700 customers, connecting them with the Company’s vast network of suppliers and providing them with the industry’s greatest access to food choices, fresh thinking, new innovations, services, show deals, and promotions only available at the show. The Conventional Expo helps independent grocers plan, prepare, and buy for the upcoming holiday and spring selling seasons. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Consistent with our objective to help our customers drive profitable and sustainable growth, our in-person shows demonstrate the unique ability we have through our scale, insights, and innovative offerings to help retailers of all sizes and formats compete effectively in their marketplace,” said UNFI CEO, Sandy Douglas. “Working alongside our suppliers, we help customers plan their store offerings, learn about new and exclusive products, manage supply challenges, and secure deals and promotions that drive sales and, ultimately, consumer loyalty.”

UNFI’s Conventional Expo is one of the largest grocery industry events, and one of five trade shows hosted annually by UNFI. This year’s show included:

• Nearly 2,700 customers, including domestic and international retailers;
• Approximately 700 suppliers covering more than 200,000 square feet;
• 270 new products and 250 sustainable/healthy planet items introduced in UNFI’s New Product Showcase;
• 300+ monster buys (exclusive UNFI deals on many of the most popular consumer products) covering nearly every store category;
• Introduction of UNFI’s Independent Grocer’s Guidebook highlighting best-in-class strategy and case studies from selected UNFI customers designed to help all retailers plan for the future of grocery. UNFI’s guidebook was created in partnership with AlixPartners, a global business consultant with expertise in grocery growth and operational excellence; and
• In addition to the in-person show, UNFI continues to offer a virtual show, catering to customer preferences and providing greater ease of doing business with UNFI. Hundreds of customers participated in the virtual version of this year’s Conventional Expo.

“In-person shows provide us a great ability to connect with suppliers, to see new products, develop merchandising strategies, and make plans for our retail stores,” said Matt Leiseth, President of Hornbacher’s Foods. “The UNFI Expo is one of the most important events we participate in annually and this year’s show, from new Brands+ products to seasonal buys, will help us prepare our stores for what we expect to be a busy holiday season.”

“UNFI is an incredible partner and the customer turnout for this show has been fantastic,” said Torrance Beard, Senior Director of Sales of Kellogg Company. “What makes this Expo even more impactful is the return of face-to-face engagement with thousands of customers.”

On Thursday morning, UNFI also introduced its 2022 Master Marketer Award winners, as part of an annual program recognizing and celebrating independent retailers for their achievements in merchandising, marketing, media advertising, and community relations programs. In addition to category and tier winners, the Company named Boyers Food Markets as its 2022 Grand Master Marketer recipient, the highest recognition given out annually to one retailer who has demonstrated consistent performance and marketing excellence. Founded in 1949, and headquartered in Orwigsburg, PA, Boyers today operates 19 full-service supermarkets throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

To see all the category, tier, and People’s Choice award winners, please visit UNFI’s Master Marketer website at: UNFImastermarketer.com.

Editor’s Note: Photos from the show are available by contacting UNFI’s media relations team at communications@unfi.com.

About United Natural Foods

UNFI is North America's premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce providers, and food service customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights, and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands. As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is Fueling the Future of Food, visit www.unfi.com.

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Source: United Natural Foods, Inc.