GFD Merchandising Playbook
Grocery | Frozen | Dairy
November 2024 Issue
Planning for: December, January & February
Key October Offers & Action Items
Place orders for November & December Shocker & Big Buy offers
Orders Due: Prior to Ad Week
Place orders for Late Spring Pillsbury Refrigerated Dough LTOs
Orders Due: 11/27/24
Place orders for 2025 Summer Candy
Booking Window: 11/17/24 – 12/14/24
Review and order missing key Hershey Candy items from the Hershey Distribution Void Program.
Suggested Due Date: 11/30/24
Review and place orders for Grande & Seasonal Mercado Buys
Orders Due: 11/15/24
Gorton's Fish 2025 Lent Virtual Pallet
Orders Due: 01/10/25
Review the Winter Holiday Spice & Extracts Guide and determine if you have enough of the top 25 products on order.
Suggested Due Date: 11/15/2024
$ave Coupon Book
January Sign-ups Due: 11/08/24
February Sign-ups Due: 12/13/24
If you’re not already enrolled, sign-up for SuperDeal$ Telemarketing to receive weekly exclusive offers. Enrolment is free.
Suggested Due Date: 11/30/2024
Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
Upcoming Food Holidays & Celebrations
December
January
February
12/1: National Pie Day
12/2: Cyber Monday
12/3: National Day of Giving #GivingTuesday
12/4: National Cookie Day
12/6: National Microwave Oven Day
12/8: National Brownie Day
12/12: National Gingerbread House Day
12/13: National Cocoa Day
12/17: National Maple Syrup Day
12/24: National Eggnog Day
12/25: Christmas
12/25 – 1/2/25: Hanukkah
12/26 – 1/1/25: Kwanzaa
12/31: New Year’s Eve
January: Healthy Living
January: National Soup Month
January: National Hot Tea Month
January: National Oatmeal Month
1/1: New Year’s Day
1/4: National Spaghetti Day
1/11: National Milk Day
1/11: NFL Playoffs Begin
1/19: National Popcorn Day
1/20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/20: National Cheese Lovers’ Day
1/22: National Hot Sauce Day
1/20: College Football National Championship*
1/31: National Hot Chocolate Day
February: Black History Month
February: Canned Food Month
February: National Hot Breakfast Month
2/1: National Dark Chocolate Day
2/2: National Tater Tot Day
2/5: World Nutella Day
2/9: Super Bowl LIX & National Pizza Day
2/14: Valentine’s Day
2/25: National Chocolate Covered Nuts Day
*The College Football National Championship is one week later this year (1/20/25 vs 1/7/24).
Events & Promotions
Upcoming Events (Group B)
Holiday Entertaining Ad Week: 12/01/24
Movie Event Ad Week: 12/01/24
Conagra Holiday Ad Week: 12/08/24
Quaker Breakfast Event
Ad Week: 12/08/24 Brands+ Christmas Ad Week: 12/08/24
12/15/24 & 12/22/24 Healthy Living Ad Week: 12/29/24
General Mills Return to School Ad Week: 1/05/25
Kellogg’s Minecraft Ad Week: 01/12/25
Campbell’s Back to Routine Ad Week: 1/19/25
Conagra New Item Innovation Ad Week: 1/19/25 Brands+ Super Bowl Ad Week: 1/26/25
Unilever Super Bowl Ad Week: 1/26/25
Upcoming Coupon Offers (Group B)
Coupon Offers*
• Ad Week: 11/3/24:
o Buy any 3 Conagra items and Save $3.50 on selected items
o Buy 2 Hershey Baking Chips & save $1.00
o Save $1.50 when you buy 2 Hershey Chocolate Candy Pouches
• Ad Week: 11/10/24:
o Buy 2 Breyers Ice Cream & Get a Free Marie Cal or Dolly Pie and EE Frozen Whipped Topping (up to $7.00)
• Ad Week: 11/17/24:
o Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Kraft Philly Cream Cheese 8 oz brick
o Buy 2 Marie Callendar or Dolly Pies & Get a Free Reddi Wip 6.5 oz-up to $2.50
o Save $1.00 when you buy one Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo 19-30 oz
• Ad Week: 11/24/24:
o Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Kraft Philly Cream Cheese 8 oz brick
o Buy 2 Marie Callendar or Dolly Pies & Get a Free Reddi Wip 6.5 oz-up to $2.50
o Save $1.00 when you buy one Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo 19-30 oz
Upcoming Coupon Offers (Group B)
Coupon Offers*
• Ad Week: 12/1/24:
o Buy 2 Hershey Snackfection Items & Save $1.00
o Buy 2 Twizzlers or Jolly Rancher Ropes and Save $1.50
• Ad Week: 12/15/24:
o Save $0.75 when you buy one 2# Velveeta
o Buy 2 Marie Callendar or Dolly Pies & Get a free Reddi Wip 6.5oz-up to $2.50
o Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Hershey XL Bars
Upcoming Shocker Offers* (Group B)
High Volume, Traffic Driving Items at Hot Front Cover Prices!
• 11/03/21: Northern 6 Mega Roll/Brawny 4 Double Roll TAS Paper Towel; $5.99
• 11/03/24: Hershey Baking Chips 7-14oz; 2/$5.00
• 11/03/24: V8 Splash 64oz; 2/$4.00
• 11/10/24: Pure Life Water 24pk 16.9oz; 2/$7.00
• 11/10/24: EE Vegetable, Canola and Blended Oil 40oz; $2.99
• 11/10/24: Marie Callender’s Frozen Bowls; 2/$4.00
• 11/10/24: International Delight Creamers; 2/$7.00
• 11/10/24: Old Orchard Cocktail/Healthy Balance Juice 64oz; 2/$4.00
• 11/10/24: EE Low Tier Frozen Vegetable 12 oz; 5/$5.00
• 11/17/24: EE Purified Water 24 Packs; 2/$6.00
• 11/17/24: Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables; 10/$10.00
• 11/17/24: Marie Callender’s Fruit or Cream Pie; $4.99
• 11/17/24: Dolly Parton Pies; $4.99
• 11/17/24: Crystal Farms Chunk & Shredded Cheese 8oz; 2/$4.00 *Please note: Offers are subject to change. Please refer
• 11/24/24: EE Purified Water 24 Packs; 2/$6.00
• 11/24/24: Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables; 10/$10.00
• 11/24/24: Marie Callender’s Fruit or Cream Pie; $4.99
• 11/24/24: Dolly Parton Pies; $4.99
• 11/24/24: Crystal Farms Chunk & Shredded Cheese 8oz; 2/$4.00
• 12/01/24: Green Mountain Coffee Bag; $4.99
• 12/01/24: Green Mountain Coffee Kcup 12ct; $4.99
• 12/08/24: EE Tortilla Chips; 2/$4.00
• 12/08/24: EE Potato Chips; 2/$3.00
• 12/08/24: EE Purified Water 24 pk; 2/$6.00
• 12/08/24: Tropicana Pure Premium OJ 46oz
• 12/15/24: Ice Mountain Spring Water 24pk 16.9 oz; $3.99
• 12/15/24: Pillsbury Crescent, Sweet Biscuits or Sweet Rolls; 2/$5.00
• 12/15/24: Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits; 2/$5.00
• 12/15/24: BE Core Poly and Steam Vegetables; 5/$5.00
Hershey Distribution Void Program – Top 35 Items
Ship Dates 10/01/24 – 11/31/24
Introducing the Hershey Distribution Void Program
• Voids are defined as top selling items that have not been ordered by a customer in 6 months (03/27/24 – 09/27/24)
• The Top 35 items cross over a few categories:
• Top 15 Gondola (In-Aisle) Confection Items
• Top 15 Instant Consumable Confection FrontEnd Items
• Top 3 Baking Items
• Top 2 Syrup Items
• A $10.00 allowance is given on the first case only
For more information about this program, please contact your Account Manager, or click on the link below.
Click Here for Hershey Void Closure Program
Upcoming P&G Brand Saver Events
Ad Week: 12/1/24
Holiday
Alleviate the stresses of hosting during the holidays by showing how shopping P&G brands at your local grocer can help elevate your home from everyday living to holiday hosting ready.
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card
Ad Week: 12/29/24
Home Care Perfect Storm Powerful products + powerful savings. Home Care's largest basket building event, reaching 100% of households with $28.25 in coupon value.
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card or Retailer gift card
Ad Week: 1/26/25
Super bowl
Super Bowl LIX is a guaranteed win when you shop P&G brands at your local retailer
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card or Retailer gift card
The P&G artwork is available for UNFI retailers to use. Artwork is sent out 6-8 weeks prior to the ad week via the “SVPromotionService” email. If you would like to be added to the Promotion Artwork Subscription Service, please contact your UNFI Account Manager.
Does your store have its own Coupon Book and/or Ad Circular? You can also sign-up for “Own Extra Effort,” at no additional charge to receive the Ad Planner with all the deals and create your own coupon offers to your customer.
Contact your UNFI Account Manager today! Sign-up for printed books, Own Extra Effort, or Digital Deals!
$AVE Coupon Book Signups
• Promotion Dates
• January: 12/29/2024 – 1/11/2025
• February: 2/2/2025 – 2/15/2025
• New look! The $AVE Coupon Books are now oriented horizontally and open from bottom to top.
• All offers are now two weeks long (no more 3-day coupons)
• We will have 40 offers, covering grocery, frozen, dairy, meat and produce departments.
• Includes both MEGA coupons and regular coupons.
Calling Special Retailer Groups! We are looking for stores to test our Digital Deals component for the $AVE book. Stores must be in UNFI Central Region, currently subscribe to an AppCard loyalty program, and may only participate in digital OR printed coupons to avoid coupon stacking.
Please contact your UNFI Account Manager and Erin Swanson (erin.k.swanson@unfi.com) to get additional information.
Expanding on our SED Program to Include SED+
SuperDeal$ Telemarketing Retail Sign Up
Overview
Exclusive promotional program for eligible UNFI conventional retailers, where UNFI is the primary supplier.
Weekly deals on shippers, pallets, and seasonal pre-bookings. Products are offered at an average discount of 10% (or more) below their normal cost.
Retailers signed up for SuperDeal$ will have access to the program specific CMAP type (NCST). These deals are not offered in any other program.
Reach out to your UNFI Account Manager if you have questions or would like to sign-up to receive weekly calls with the latest exclusive offers!
SuperDeal$ Telemarketing Sign-up Form
UNFI Media Network Upcoming Campaigns
UNFI Media Network (UMN)
Increase Sales Through UNFI Media Network
The UNFI Media Network (UMN) provides innovative ways to connect UNFI Suppliers to consumers through onsite (in-store) and offsite digital advertising. These efforts amplify sales and personalize your customer's shopping experience. UMN offers an integrated and cost-effective solution, marketing personalized digital advertisements to millions of shoppers.
Who can Participate?
• Any UNFI-supplied retailer can join UNFI Media Network (UMN), powered by Swiftly Technology.
• In doing so, you will gain access to digital solutions that will increase your sales & market share, receive revenue from all negotiated advertising campaigns on your behalf.
Retailer Benefits
• Gain digital solutions such as - app, website, loyalty, etc. or, integrate with our partner Swiftly if you already have these tools in place.
• Access to CPG-funded advertising to drive new customers to your store & revenue back in your pocket.
How Do I Set Up an Informational Session?
• Reach out to your UNFI Sales team or Marketing Account Manager to schedule an appointment.
Upcoming Digital Campaigns
Innovation 10/20/24 - 11/02/24
Kitchen Basics 10/25/24 - 12/28/24
Thanksgiving/Holiday 11/01/24 - 11/29/24
Festive Holiday (Roni) 11/06/24 - 12/10/24
Marie Callendar 11/17/24 - 12/24/24
Chunks/Shreds 01/12/25 - 02/09/25
Note: Digital campaigns apply to retailers who are part of our legacy digital tactics, or on our new UNFI Media Network (UMN). To learn more about these programs,
New Items
Latest New & Now
Checkout the latest new products and emerging brands!
Click the link below to access the full New & Now product catalog.
Click Here: New & Now November 2024
Essential Everyday Frozen Pizza Available in January!
Coming Soon - January 2025
A new line of value-priced, multi-serve thin crust frozen pizzas to meet growing demand for affordable, family friendly, and convenient meal solutions.
Why EE?
Convenient and easy-to-prep frozen pizzas with toppings the whole family will enjoy at a value-price
• Private Brand pizza is growing faster than national brands in units and dollars
• Our assortment offers three of the most popular toppings in the frozen pizza category
• Made with real cheese, rich tomato sauce and seasoning
• 100% Quality Guarantee
First Ship Available: January 2025
New Stouffers Supreme mac and cheese, Grocery dry boxed dinners
Why Stouffer’s Supreme? Item Details
Now available as an everyday item. Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional details.
Stouffers Supreme Shells & Cheese is a bold take on classic comfort. Supremely creamy, supremely cheesy and ready in 10 minutes!
Timing
First Ship Available: Now Available
Dot’s Pretzels Now Available at UNFI!
Why Dot’s?
Buttery, crunchy, and shamelessly seasoned in every groove and twist – these pretzels are seriously craveable!
• Dot’s Pretzels has the #2 share in the pretzel category
• Dot’s Pretzels are +80% incremental to the category
Item Details
Pringles Mingles!
Why Mingles?
Item Details
Pringles is launching their biggest, most exciting innovation to date! Pringles Mingles is a one Bite Snack in the shape of Mr. P’s Bow Tie with a light, airy, and crispy taste!
First Ship Available: 10/7/2024
Non-Warehouse Cross Dock New Items: Salty Snacks
Checkout the latest new Natural Salty Snacks products and emerging brands available via non-warehouse cross dock program* Click the links below for additional information.
New Salty Snacks NWXD APL Additions
New Salty Snacks NWXD Pricing
*Must be signed up with an active NWXD account to receive these items. Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional details.
Seasonal Items
Gorton's Fish 2025 Lent Virtual Pallet
Orders due by: 1/10/25
Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional details.
Overview
Prebook Gorton's Fish for Lent, the biggest frozen fish selling event of the year!
• Book 25 or more cases and receive an additional $1.00 per case
• Bunker POS material available
• Prebook items for the 3/2/25 Lent Ad
Item Details
*Items vary by DC
Essential Everyday Chocolate Chip Shipper
Drive impulse purchases and boost holiday sales with off-shelf placement of chocolate chips that can be cross-promoted with complementary holiday baking ingredients as consumers seek festive treats!
• Kosher certified
• Chocolate chip cookie recipe included on pack
• Gluten Free
• 100% Quality Guarantee
Shipper Details
• Booking Window: Now available to order thru April 1st, 2025
• 21-day lead time
• How to Order: Place electronically on Telxon
• Shipper Details
• Floor display
• Includes 48 units of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Shipper Dimensions: 27” L x 18”W x 8” H
• UPC: 0-41303-01863-7
• Item Code: 3022346
Ice Melt and Fire Logs
• As winter approaches, the need for essential seasonal items like Ice Melt and Fire Logs becomes paramount.
• Icy weather conditions drive consumer demand; its important to be proactive in planning to meet customer needs while maximizing sales opportunities.
• Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional order details.
• Suggested Order By Date: 11/30/24
Click Here for Ice Melt and Fire Log Guide
Late Spring Refrigerated Dough Limited Time Offers
Great assortment of Seasonal Refrigerated Dough items!
• Shipping in spring
• Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional details
• Final Orders Due*: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
*Must pre-book to receive product. Use Order Type: NCST
• Email Orders to: svcssuperdeal@unfi.com
• Product was also offered through SuperDeal$ Telemarketing
2025 Summer Candy Catalog
• Booking Window: 11/17/2024 – 12/14/2024
• Shipping Window: 3/31/25 – 6/27/25
DID YOU KNOW?
• While it’s not an official holiday itself, Summer is instead made up of a collection of micro-seasons/moments that a large % of consumers participate in:
• Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, Back to School, Labor Day
• These “micro-holidays” allow for opportunity to drive baskets with seasonal confections
• June is National Candy Month!
• People in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and candy 2-3 times per week.
• Additionally, several summer activities include confectionary:
• Movie nights, camping, road tripping, barbeques, family reunions, ice cream socials
• 80% of growth items in Summer 2024 was non-chocolate (fruity, gummy, etc.) Click Here for UNFI Summer Candy Catalog
Key Seasonal Mercado Buy Items
Ship Window 10/01/24 – 12/35/24 | Orders due*: 11/15/24
• Key Seasonal items
o Hominy
o Knorr Chicken and Beef bouillon
o Maseca
o Sanissimo Tostadas and Takis Chips
o Pinalen 3pk.
o Gamesa Assortment
o Malta India
o Coffee (Nescafe and Café Listo)
o Sugar cone
o Snack Seaweed
o Jasmine Premium Rice
o Sriracha
o Ramen Noodles
o Pre-Selling Mucosan
*Please note: Pallet and shippers need orders place by October 30th to ensure availability.
If you have questions, please contact your UNFI Account Manager.
Seasonal Sales Insights
The Winter Holidays are Here!
Thanksgiving and Christmas are the 2 highest selling weeks of the year!
• There are dozens of categories that have above average sales in November and December.
• Now is the time to start reviewing product orders to ensure you’re ready for this holiday season.
• Click on the reference resources to the right to view high indexing sales categories by week and key holiday item check lists. Christmas Holiday Item Checklist Thanksgiving Holiday Item Checklist High Indexing Categories by Week
Grocery, Frozen & Dairy Sales
Top 25 Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts
Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts Guide
Source: NielsenIQ Retail Measurement. UNFI Central Region TA + RMxAOC, Green is 8 weeks of the Winter Holiday sales (11/4/23 – 11/23/23) and Blue is the remaining weeks in the year.
DID YOU KNOW?
On average, nearly 60% of a grocery retailers’ Sage sales will happen between November & December (primarily during the Thanksgiving sell week).
Retailers can expect to sell 30x more Sage the week before Thanksgiving than the average sales weeks between non-holiday months (Jan – Oct).
Sage: The Herb of Thanksgiving! Sage is often used on Turkey, in Mashed Potatoes, stuffing and other Thanksgiving dishes!
Top 25 Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts Guide
Guide Explanation
The Spice & Extract Index by Week chart identifies which spices will experience a large sales spike during key holiday weeks. The index is an average increase of sales for the holiday weeks compared to the rest of the year (Jan – Oct).
Example:
Stores can expect to sell an average of 30 times more Sage the week of 11/23/24 than the average week the rest of the nonholiday weeks (Jan – Oct).
If a store sells one jar of Sage each non-holiday week, , then a store can expect to sell 30 jars of sage the week of 11/24/24.
Top 25 Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts Item Numbers
Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts Guide
#1 Vanilla
• MCC Pure Vanilla 1 oz | Item #: 264495
• MCC Pure Vanilla 2 oz | Item #: 4264516
#2 Cinnamon
• MCC Cinnamon 2.37 oz | Item #: 4252813
#3 Onion Powder
• MCC Onion Powder 2.62 oz | Item #: 4253122
#4 Paprika
• MCC Paprika 2.12 oz | Item #: 4252726
#5 Chili Powder
• MCC Chili Seasoning | Item #: 3567022
• MCC Chili Mild Seasoning | Item #: 3567025
#6 Nutmeg
• MCC Nutmeg | Item #: 4251397
#7 Sage
• MCC Sage, Ground | Item #: 4250821
• MCC Sage, Rubbed | Item #: 4250704
#8 Poultry
• MCC Poultry Seasoning | Item #: 4250959
#9 Clove
• MCC Cloves, Ground | Item #: 4251160
• MCC Cloves, Whole | Item #: 4250872
#10 Ginger
• MCC Ginger | Item #4248042
#11 Thyme
• MCC Whole Thyme Leaves | Item #: 4247941
• MCC Thyme Ground | Item #: 4250977 #12 Cumin
• MCC Ground Cumin | Item #: 4247887
#13 Bay Leaf
• MCC Bay Leaves | Item #: 4250362
#14 Almond Extract
• MCC Pure almond Extract | Item #: 4248043
#15 Pumpkin
• MCC Pumpkin Pie Spice | Item #: 4251430
#16 Rosemary
• MCC Whl Rosemary Leave | Item #: 4247944
#17 Cream of Tartar
• MCC Cream of Tartar | Item #: 4251853
#18 Mustard
• MCC Ground Mustard | Item #: 4252213
#19 Peppermint Extract
• MCC Peppermint Extract | Item #: 4265712
#20 Allspice
• MCC Allspice Grd | Item #: 4251175
#21 Parsley
• MCC Parsley Flakes 0.25 oz | Item #: 4250449
#22 Cardamom
• MCC Cardamom Whl Pod | Item #: 4249812
#23 Lemon Extract
• MCC Lemon Extract | Item #: 4265799
#24 White Pepper
• MCC White Pepper GR | Item # 4251310
#25 Onion Granulated
• MCC Onion Salt | Item #: 4254001
Key Merchandising Reminders
Plan For Key Sales Drivers – December
Holiday Callouts
93% of Americans bake cookies during the holidays
63% of households have a traditional dessert they bake each year
One-stop shopping, finding the best deals, and shopping in-store are the activities shoppers are most likely to increase during the holiday season
Heavy Hitters
Review and Adjust
Holiday dinner
Turkey, ham, beef roast/prime rib, butter, pineapple, potatoes, sour cream, gravy, stuffing, bread/rolls, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes/yams, canned vegetables, pie, whipped cream, Jell-O
Dessert/Cookie/Fudge ingredients, sugar, flour, almond, bark, pretzels
Candy makes up the top indexing items for December grocery sales
Snack boards-Meats, cheeses, crackers, olives, pickles, nuts, fruits, vegetables
Hot appetizers
Mixers
Snacks: Chex mix, hot appetizers, cheeses
Extra Effort
Basket Builders
Salts, spices, extracts, food coloring
Condiments, chili sauce, cocktail sauce, horseradish sauce, specialty mustards, Au Jus Sauce
Premium plates, cups, knives
Charcuterie board fixings
Meats, cheese, pickles, olives, dried fruit, crackers, honey, jams
Plan For Key Sales Drivers – January
New Year’s & College Football
Happy 2025! This year, New Year's Eve (December 31st) falls on a Tuesday and New Year's Day (January 1st) falls on a Wednesday
Many people celebrate with parties and stay up until midnight in ring in the new year
There are many special food traditions from around the world that people participate in to help celebrate
College Football National Championship is on 1/20/25. Similar to the Super Bowl, many households will celebrate with salty snacks, hot appetizers, soda and other beverages.
Review and Adjust
Easy appetizers/meals-chips, dip, crackers, cheese, rotel tomatoes, velveeta, frozen appetizers, frozen pizza, pizza dough
Pasta sauces, pasta, canned meats
Healthy eating: entrees, fruit, yogurt, granola, frozen smoothies
Tortilla chips and salsa Extra Effort Basket Builders Heavy Hitters
Frozen vegetables
Beverages-sparkling juice, soda, mixers, orange juice, cranberry juice
Tabletop items:
Paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic cups, plastic utensils
Oyster crackers
Smokies, BBQ Sauce, chili sauce
Plan For Key Sales Drivers – February
Super Bowl
Callouts
Super Bowl LIX will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9, 2025
During the week of the Super Bowl, about 10% of Americans grill food, second only to the 4th of July
1 out of 7 Americans order takeout on Super Bowl Sunday with pizza being the most popular choice and chicken wings being a close second
Heavy Hitters
Review and Adjust
Easy appetizer/Meal options-
Chicken wings, pizza rolls, fries, frozen snacks, frozen pizza, chips (potato chips and tortilla chips), chip dips (guacamole, queso, salsa), popcorn and pretzels
Other easy meal option components such as chili (diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, canned beans), pulled pork (bbq sauce, pickles), and nachos (chips, black olives, jalapenos, sour cream)
Beverage options: soda, lemonade, iced tea, and mixers, tomato juice, clamato
Extra Effort
Basket Builders
Non edible items
Tabletop-disposable plates, silverware, cups, napkins, and paper towels
Charcoal/Pellets
Condiments-ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce, dipping sauces, ranch dressing, buffalo and wing sauce
Plan For Key Sales Drivers – February
Valentine’s Day
Callouts
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th every year, in 2025 it will fall on a Friday
Valentine’s Day is the fifth largest consumer spending event in the United States after the winter holidays and Mother’s Day
Consumers in the United States spent $25.8 billion on Valentine’s day in 2024.
Heavy Hitters
Review and Adjust
Candy is the top indexing category in Edible Grocery for the month of February
Desserts and snacks-refrigerated cookie dough, premium ice cream, and frozen treats
Baking mixes (cake, brownies, and cookies), ready to spread frosting, mini marshmallows, crispy cereal, and food color dye are popular items used for making unique Valentine treats
Extra Effort
Basket Builders
Dinner for two-Many couples celebrate Valentine’s Day by going out for a romantic dinner. However, cooking a special meal at home can be just as romantic
Roses, flowers
Leverage multiples to drive bigger baskets-the most common count of items carted was 2 units, with highest relative velocities occurring during the mid/late portion of the season
Plan For Key Sales Drivers – February
Chinese New Year’s Callouts
Chinese New Year 1/29/25 is a 16day celebration
Meaningful Chinese New Year dishes are central to the celebrations
Heavy Hitters
Review and Adjust
2025 will be the year of the Snake
Dumplings symbolize wealth
Fish, a staple of the reunion dinner, embodies hopes for abundance
Sticky rice cakes are enjoyed to ensure prosperity
Extra Effort
Basket Builders
Featured ads:
Kikkoman Soy & Teriyaki Sauce
La Choy Bi-Packs
Simply Asia Noodle Bowls
Thai Kitchen Instant Noodles
House of Tsang Sauces
Thai Kitchen Fish Sauce
Sun Luck Sesame Oil
Fresh Produce
Egg roll wrappers
Product Supply Updates
Latest Supply Updates
• Planters Nuts – Hormel is currently facing significant supply challenges. As of now, there is no ETA for recovery but confirmed supply challenges will continue at least until the end of the year. Item code 4351758, 4356408, 4351729, 4351712, 4356373, 4355030, 4356986 and display item code 3060174 have been discontinued. Display code 3060174 was in Expo. Hormel will gradually reintroduce items once their operations stabilizes.
• Viva Signature Cloth – 4002792, 4002798, 4002771, and 4002794- Due to supply constraints Viva Signature Cloth fill rates are impacted. Signature Cloth is not being promoted at this time. Estimated recovery is late 2025. Only Viva Multi-Surface is being advertised.
• Cool Whip Fat Free 8oz-7010455 – The Fat Free Cool Whip variety will remain out of stock from the supplier. The recovery time is still TBD.
• Edwards Pies- Schwan's is pausing production on some of the Edwards Multi Serve Pies items until after the 1st of the year to accommodate inventory production for the top 4 volume items in demand for the holiday season. The flavors suspended will be Strawberry Creme, Chocolate Cheesecake, Berry Cheesecake, Lemon Creme, Cookies & Creme and Turtle. There will be occasional shortages on all the pie varieties over the next few months.
• Klondike Bars/Sandwich- There is a packaging supply delay for Klondike Bars and Sandwich items. Unilever will only produce the Top 4 flavors which represent about 70% of Total Sales. There is not an ETA on when production will be running again on the additional varieties so we will discontinue these items until further notice.
• Essential Everyday Jumbo Biscuits – Expect 50% decrease in product availability Oct - Dec 2024. The supplier installed a new line to help with capacity, but currently there are inefficiencies with the new line. Production is expected to be at 50%. Therefore, there will be a consumer shift in demand for Pillsbury Jumbo Biscuits. Essential Everyday Item Codes: 7590082, 7592103, 7592105, 7592106, 7592107, and 7592112. Pillsbury Item Codes: 7592754, 7592755, 7592753, 7593065, 7592788, 7592312
Quaker Supply Update
Status update from items previously recalled by Quaker
Key October Offers & Action Items
Place orders for November & December Shocker & Big Buy offers
Orders Due: Prior to Ad Week
Place orders for Late Spring Pillsbury Refrigerated Dough LTOs
Orders Due: 11/27/24
Place orders for 2025 Summer Candy
Booking Window: 11/17/24 – 12/14/24
Review and order missing key Hershey Candy items from the Hershey Distribution Void Program.
Suggested Due Date: 11/30/24
Review and place orders for Grande & Seasonal Mercado Buys
Orders Due: 11/15/24
Gorton's Fish 2025 Lent Virtual Pallet
Orders Due: 01/10/25
Review the Winter Holiday Spice & Extracts Guide and determine if you have enough of the top 25 products on order.
Suggested Due Date: 11/15/2024
$ave Coupon Book
January Sign-ups Due: 11/08/24
February Sign-ups Due: 12/13/24
If you’re not already enrolled, sign-up for SuperDeal$ Telemarketing to receive weekly exclusive offers. Enrolment is free.
Suggested Due Date: 11/30/2024
Thank You
If you have questions or need anything, please reach out to your UNFI Account Manager.
Happy fall selling season.
