Updated UNFI Selling Show Schedule for 2024 Released
United Natural Foods, Inc. has released its updated selling show schedule for 2024. As part of UNFI’s mission to help customers and suppliers win in the marketplace, each UNFI selling show will now showcase the full spectrum of products and services that better aligns with customer buying behavior, instead of focusing shows exclusively on natural and organic or conventional products. These new shows will support both the natural and conventional supplier as well as all grocery retail customer channels and positioning.
Sandy Douglas, UNFI’s chief executive officer said: “With the start of every selling show season, we look forward to connecting with our partners around the country to share insights, discuss industry trends, and explore new ways to create value and help drive their growth. We appreciate the hard work of our suppliers and customers and look forward to continuing to support them with supply chain efficiency and the industry’s leading selection of products, insights and go-to-market services, all of which will be on display at our upcoming shows.”
New 2024 UNFI Selling Show Schedule:
The company will hold the following four shows in 2024:
- Spring and Summer West Selling Show in San Diego, CA on Feb. 7-8
- Spring and Summer Central and East Selling Show in Orlando, FL on Feb. 20-21
- Holiday and Winter East Selling Show Uncasville, CT on June 4-5
- Holiday and Winter Central and West Selling Show in Minneapolis, MN on Aug. 6-7
For more information on UNFI selling shows, customers or suppliers can visit: https://www.unfi.com/shows-events or email events@unfi.com.
Inaugural Circle of Excellence Awards
UNFI also announced plans for its inaugural Circle of Excellence awards, which will recognize the outstanding performance and growth of UNFI customers and suppliers. UNFI’s Circle of Excellence awards honor the innovation, diversity of market positioning, size, and geography of customers and suppliers across the country. The Company will select customer winners in local independent, regional chain, and national account categories and suppliers in both emerging and established categories.
Customer awards will be presented at UNFI’s February shows in San Diego and Orlando. Supplier awards will be presented at the Company’s June show in Connecticut. All customer and supplier winners will be recognized across UNFI’s selling shows, featured on UNFI’s website, and mentioned in the Company’s post-show press releases.
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 foodservice 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.
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NGA Announces Senior Staff Executive Promotions
The National Grocers Association announced promotions for three key senior staff executives, all NGA veterans.
In announcing these promotions, NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said, “NGA is fortunate to have a strong and committed group of senior leaders who bring their experiences and expertise to bear every day for the benefit of our membership. Their unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions have been instrumental in NGA’s success, and I am confident their continued leadership will help drive this organization to new heights.”
Jonathan Downey is now chief operating officer and senior vice president. Downey is a nearly four-year veteran of NGA, having joined the organization in early 2020 to lead industry relations and business development. Today he is responsible for membership growth, events, administration, and business development, including helping associate member companies achieve their business growth goals by engaging with NGA’s members. Downey is a long-time trade association executive, having previously worked for the Consumer Brands Association, a leading trade association representing consumer package goods companies. Additionally, Downey is a Certified Association Executive through ASAE.
Christopher Jones is now chief government relations officer & counsel and senior vice president. Jones is a six-year veteran of NGA, having joined in 2017 from the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as legislative director for a senior member of congress on the Agriculture Committee. Jones leads NGA’s government relations, legal, and political operations, ensuring NGA’s member companies have a strong and influential voice in before Congress and federal agencies. He also leads the organization’s historic efforts to revive and enforce the Robinson-Patman Act and other important antitrust laws, key to ensuring Main Street and regional grocers can compete on a level playing field for the benefit of consumers.
Laura Strange is now chief communications and engagement officer and senior vice president. Strange is a 10-year veteran of NGA, having joined NGA in 2013 from the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served as the communications director for a senior member of congress on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Within NGA, Strange leads internal departments responsible for all press and public affairs engagement, member communications, marketing, as well as member engagement and retention. Strange also leads important member programs such as NGA’s share groups, the NGA Creative Choice Awards program sponsored by Kellanova and Unilever and the NGA Best Bagger competition, sponsored by PepsiCo.
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Gopuff, Rapper Rick Ross Team for New Year’s Eve Specials
Gopuff, the app that gets you what you need in 30 minutes, and Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross are coming together to make this New Year’s Eve more Boss than ever. On Dec. 31, Ross is coming on board as Gopuff’s new Chief Delivery Boss to bring customers 21+ the best value on bubbly, party supplies and more, so they can ring in the new year in – attainable – luxury and style.
Ross said: “When Gopuff asked for my help in making sure all of their customers can throw Boss New Year’s Eve parties, I had only one request: we have to do it BIG! We’re bringing you Luc Belaire, 24¢ mini bottles of bubbly, and more – all delivered to your door in minutes on New Year’s Eve. It’s almost Too Good to Be True. Can’t wait to celebrate with Gopuff on Dec. 31.”
Gopuff FAM members shopping the Gopuff app or website can take advantage of several Boss New Year’s Eve Deals beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern on Dec. 31:
24¢ for select mini bottles of sparkling wine (limit two per customer)
24% off full-sized (750ml and 1.5L) bottles of Luc Belaire
50% off essential party supplies, including:
Confetti Cannons
Fool’s Gold Edible Glitter
Glow Sticks
Utz Cheddar Cheese Ball Barrel
Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider
Goslings Ginger Beer
Fever-Tree Ginger Ale
Basically, Red Cups
And more!
Plus, all Gopuff customers can get 15 percent off sparkling wines and Champagne when they purchase three bottles.
All offers are available while supplies last, in select markets and based on applicable state laws.
Nearly 80 percent of Gopuff customers said they plan to celebrate the new year at home and the number one beverage they plan to purchase for the holiday is Champagne. Whether customers are simply too busy to stop for supplies this season, run out of Champagne just before the ball drops, or forget a few important party essentials, Gopuff and its New Year’s Eve Chief Delivery Boss Rick Ross are here to save the day.
Gopuff remains committed to providing customers with high-quality essentials at affordable prices. Gopuff’s New Year’s Eve Boss Deals come on the heels of the company’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, which brought customers 62% off FAM memberships, and $0.31 Halloween candy deals.
Earlier this year, Gopuff introduced new benefits for its FAM members, including lower-than-Walmart prices on hundreds of top-selling essentials, and introducing weekly deals for even greater savings. As a result, FAM members save an average of $25/month ($300/year).
Gopuff is the leading instant commerce platform, bringing thousands of everyday products to customers in minutes. Gopuff stores everything from household essentials and groceries to OTC medication and more within hundreds of micro-fulfillment centers and omnichannel retail stores across the United States and United Kingdom. Founded in 2013 by co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, Gopuff’s unique, vertically integrated platform offers customers a seamless and consistently fast shopping experience.
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