United Natural Foods Shares Top Trends to Help Grocery Retailers Prepare for Summer Selling Season

Trends include growth of retail media, private label brands, and health and wellness products

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) (the “Company” or “UNFI”) completed its Spring and Summer Selling Show in San Diego, CA, the first of the Company’s 2025 show season. The two-day show brought together more than 4,300 attendees, connecting 1,800 retailers with 800 supplier brands. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique brands spanning natural, organic, fresh, specialty, and conventional grocery products.

During the show, UNFI experts discussed current trends and emerging growth opportunities across the grocery retail industry. Top trends include*:

1. Retail media is projected to grow over 24% annually between 2024 and 2028.
2. Private label brands are estimated to grow ~40% over the next 6 years.
3. Fresh product growth is now outpacing the rest of the store.
4. Natural/organic and functional food/beverages are expected to grow ~4% annually over the next four years.
5. Creating a differentiated experience is key to success for grocery retailers of all sizes.

Louis Martin, President of Conventional Grocery Products and UNFI Chief Commercial Officer, reflected on the continued growth of retail media and said, “While many retailers are engaging their shoppers digitally, there are still untapped opportunities to create a more comprehensive and customized digital experience. By partnering with UNFI, both retailers and suppliers can access our broad range of digital and professional services, like the UNFI Media Network, to drive profitable growth.”

A highlight of the show was a conversation with UNFI Co-Founder and Board Member Michael Funk, who shared his perspectives on the evolution of the grocery industry and UNFI’s focus on helping its customers be as competitive as possible. He said, “Innovation is key to keeping this industry vibrant. We need to constantly reset and adapt to best meet the needs of our customers.”

“We have a true partnership with UNFI, who’s been our primary distributor since 2010,” said Aaron Jones, Senior Director of Merchandising and Logistics, Bristol Farms. “I've enjoyed growing the relationship, finding unique brands, and learning about new-to-market products UNFI is bringing in. We’ve continued to strengthen our partnership on every level, from corporate buying to our store teams.”

During the show’s Pitch Slam competition, emerging suppliers in UNFI’s UpNext program had the opportunity to pitch their innovative new products to a live audience. “We’re thrilled to be a UNFI UpNext supplier,” said Eric Ji Sun Wu, Co-Founder of Sobo Foods and winner of the San Diego Pitch Slam. "We don’t know how we would have done this without the endlessly patient support the UNFI team has given us and the unreal visibility for Sobo Foods at this event.”

To support communities impacted by the Los Angeles County fires, the UNFI Foundation provided a donation to Food Forward, a nonprofit organization that is working to deliver fresh produce to the affected areas.

*Sources:

1. Emarketer – Retail Media Ad Spending Forecast H1 2024
2. Morgan Stanley – Private Label Tipping Point
3. NielsenIQ Discover, Total US x AOC, all departments, data through 11/30/24
4. Nutritional Business Journal “State of Natural Four-Year Forecast” (2024-2028)

About UNFI

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 delivering value for its stakeholders, visit www.unfi.com.