At the recent 2024 Winter and Holiday Selling Show in Minneapolis, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) showcased an extensive array of innovative products designed to empower food retailers ahead of the holiday season. This year’s event, held from August 5 to 7, attracted approximately 2,100 attendees, bringing together over 800 exhibitors and highlighting 1,500 brands. Notably, the show included 50 suppliers featured in UNFI’s New Product and Diverse Supplier showcases, as well as more than 70 suppliers providing exclusive Monster Buys on over 1,700 products.

This annual gathering created a unique platform for retailers and suppliers, providing insights into profitable growth opportunities. Steve Dietz, UNFI’s Chief Customer Officer, remarked that their events are crucial for facilitating connections that help these businesses thrive. The exclusive offerings, including Monster Buys, are designed to drive success in competitive markets.

A significant highlight was the introduction of the UNFI Media Network (UMN), presented by UNFI’s President of Professional Services and a Swiftly co-founder, demonstrating how retailers can leverage this network to enhance customer engagement. Additionally, the Pitch Slam competition presented emerging brands a chance to present their products to a live audience. Madison, N.J.-based Like Air won the competition, showcasing health-conscious snacks and securing a promotional campaign on UMN.

With 30,000 customer locations across North America, UNFI stands as the largest publicly traded grocery distributor in the country, currently ranked 22 on The PG 100 list of top retailers. Their next event, the Spring and Summer Show 2025, is scheduled for January 21-23 in San Diego, promising further opportunities for industry advancement and networking.