Merchandising Playbook
GROCERY •
FROZEN • DAIRY
Planning for January, February and March
Core Void Program March Into Spring Savings Event
UNFI Spring & Summer Show March Is Frozen Frood Month
Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
Events & Promotions
UNFI Media Network (UMN)
New Items 5. Category & Seasonal Sales Insights 6. Seasonal Items 7. Supply Update
8. Action Items
Action Items
Don’t Miss Offers
March Into Spring Savings
• Order Book Available: 11/13/24
• Orders Due: 1/3/25
UNFI Spring & Summer Show
• Registration open now through 2/12/25
• Orders Due: 2/28/24
March Is Frozen Food Month
• Participation Sign-up and Pallet Prebooks Due: 1/17/24
Summer Candy Catalog
• Orders Due: 12/14/24
Gorton's Fish 2025 Lent Virtual Pallet
• Order Due: 1/10/25
Additional Offers & Action Items
Review the Winter Holiday Spice & Extracts Guide and determine if you have enough of the top 25 products on order.
• Suggested Due Date: 12/13/2024
$ave Coupon Book Sign-ups
• January Digital Deals Sign-up Due: 12/6/24
• February Print Sign-up Due: 12/13/24
• March Print Sign-up Due: 1/10/25
If you’re not already enrolled, sign-up for SuperDeal$ Telemarketing to receive weekly exclusive offers. Enrolment is free.
• Suggested Due Date: 12/31/2024
Holidays & Celebrations Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
Key Dates:
January: Healthy Living
January: National Soup Month
January: National Hot Tea Month
January: National Oatmeal Month
1/1: New Year’s Day
1/11: National Milk Day & NFL Playoffs Begin
1/19: National Popcorn Day
1/20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/20: National Cheese Lover’s Day
1/20: College Football National Championship
1/22: National Hot Sauce Day
1/31: National Hot Chocolate Day
Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
‘25
February Key Dates:
• 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 • 2/28 – 3/30: Ramadan
March Key Dates:
• March: March is Frozen Food Month
• 2/28 – 3/30: Ramadan
• 3/1: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
• 3/5: Ash Wednesday
• 3/7: National Cereal Day
• 3/8: International Women’s Day
• 3/9: National Meatball Day
• 3/14: Pi Day
• 3/17: St. Patrick's Day
• 3/21: National Crunch Taco Day
• 3/23: National Chips & Dip Day
Events and Promotions
Upcoming Promotional Events
January
Ad Week: 12/29/24 Healthy Living – Brands+ Ad Week: 12/29/24
General Mills Return to School
Ad Week: 01/05/25
Campbell's Back to Routine
Ad Week: 01/05/25
Kellogg's Cereal Minecraft Event
Ad Week: 01/12/25
Brands+ Super Bowl
Ad Week: 01/26/25
Unilever Super Bowl
Ad Week: 01/26/25
February
McCormick Super Bowl
Ad Week: 02/02/25
Kraft Super Bowl
Ad Week: 02/02/25
Conagra Super Bowl
Ad Week: 02/02/25 Post Breakfast Partners Event
Ad Week: 02/09/25
Conagra Event
Ad Week: 02/16/25
Quaker Breakfast Event
Ad Week: 02/23/25
March
Conagra MFFM
Ad Week: 03/02/25
Conagra MFFM Ad Week: 03/02/25 Brands+ MFFM Ad Week: 03/09/25
Campbell's Meal Solutions
Ad Week: 03/09/25
Ad Week: 03/30/25 Conagra Event Ad Week: 03/30/25
Conagra Event
March Into Spring Savings
Don’t miss these key spring savings!
Event Details
Ship Window:
• February 15, 2025 – April 25, 2025
• This is a 10-week promotional event.
Order Book Availability Date:
• Wednesday, November 13, 2024
• This event will be communicated through an electronic order book and guide.
Orders Due By:
• Friday, January 3, 2025
• Orders need to be received by this date to allow suppliers time to prepare and ship orders.
Booking Process:
• Orders will be placed through UNFI Customer Care and Order-well system
• All orders need to be loaded under the EXPO Order Type
• Up-loadable templates will be available as needed.
Click Here for Key MISS Event Sale Items
Spring & Summer Show
Central & East: February 10 - 12, 2025
Disney Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, FL
Event Details
Ship Window:
• April 26, 2025 – September 5, 2025
• Focus is on Graduation, Summer Holidays and Back to School.
• Ship window is after Easter. For Easter bookings, retailers should review their prebooks from the Winter show and make any needed adjustments through the March into Spring Savings event.
Show Book Availability Date:
• Monday, December 30, 2024
• Perenso Virtual Portal scheduled to open on 1/6/25
Orders Due By:
• Friday, February 28, 2025
• Orders need to be received by this date to allow suppliers time to prepare and ship orders.
Booking Process:
• Orders will be placed through UNFI Customer Care and Order-well system
• All orders need to be loaded under the SELB Order Type
Product highlight videos will be available starting in late December. Videos will highlight featured product offers to help you prepare for the upcoming Spring & Summer selling season.
For questions, please contact your UNFI Account Manager.
Customer registration is open now through 2/12/25.
Click Here for UNFI Show Information
UNFI Account Managers will start setting up meetings to review the Show Book and help you plan your 2025 Spring & Summer selling season.
March is Frozen Food Month
Show your customers value with the best Frozen Food sale of the year!
Grow Frozen Food Sales
• Three weeks of expanded frozen food ad items! Ad weeks: 3/2/25, 3/9/25, and 3/16/25
• Lowest prices of the year on top frozen items.
• Additional UNFI Power Buy scans on key items.
Pallet Program
• Drive incremental sales and traffic with the Pallet Program that offers reward incentives for prebooking product for the big March is Frozen Food Month sale.
In-Store Displays
• Create excitement with Store Associates & Customers with In-Store Display & Consumer Contests.
• Free POS kits available to highlight the program and drive awareness.
Click Here for Complete Program Details
March is Frozen Food Month Tactics
Key marketing and sales strategies to drive your frozen food business.
Three Gatefolds/Front Page Blocks
• Eight strong traffic driving frozen items on 3/2/25, 3/9/25 and 3/16/25
• Weekly ad circular gatefold artwork available through the free SV Subscription Service.
Pallet and Open Stock Survey Program
• UNFI will offer retailer bonus rewards of $50 to $200 based on total pallets booked.
• $50 reward for stores that book 5 to 9 pallets.
• $150 reward if a store books at least 10 pallets (max reward of $200 per store).
• Additional rewards range from $10 to $75 (paid via off-statement credit) on 30 key pallet and open stock frozen items supporting the sales event.
In-Store Display Contest
• Three retailer winners with prizes ranging from $750 - $1,500.
Consumer Sweepstakes
• 20 shoppers will win gift cards ranging from $100 - $250.
POS Kits
• Participating stores will receive one POS kit from NFRA to help promote March is Frozen Food month.
March is Frozen Food Month
Key Program Dates
• Sign-up forms due to UNFI by: 1/17/24
• March Is Frozen Food Month Pallet Survey prebooks due to UNFI by: 1/17/24
• Program Ad Weeks: 3/2/25, 3/9/25 and 3/16/25
• Consumer Contest store pulls one winner from ballot box by: 4/11/25
• In-Store Display Contest Picture(s) and Customer Contest Ballot Winner due to UNFI by: 4/11/25
• UNFI will notify Consumer Contest winners by: 5/9/25
• UNFI will notify In-Store Display Contest winners by: 5/9/25
For questions, please contact your UNFI Account Manager.
Click Here for Complete Program Details Click Here for Sign-up Form
Upcoming Coupon Offers
Ad Week: 12/01/24
• Buy 2 Hershey Snackfection items & Save $1.00
• Buy 2 Twizzlers or Jolly Rancher Ropes and Save $1.50
Ad Week: 12/08/24
• Buy any 8 Conagra Items & Save $3.50 on Selected Items
• Buy any 8 additional Conagra Items & Save $3.50 on Selected Items
• Save $1.00 when you buy one Kraft Mayo 22-30 oz
Ad Week: 12/15/24
• Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Kraft Philly Cream Cheese 8 oz Brick
• Save $0.75 when you buy one 2# Velveeta
• Buy 2 Marie Callendar or Dolly Pies & Get a free Reddi Wip 6.5 oz- up to $2.50
• Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Hershey XL Bars
• Save $1.00 when you buy one Kraft Miracle Whip 19-30 oz
• Buy 2 Nabisco Snack Crackers or Ritz & Save $1.00
Ad Week: 12/22/24
• Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Kraft Philly Cream Cheese 8 oz Brick
• Save $0.75 when you buy one 2# Velveeta
• Buy 2 Marie Callendar or Dolly Pies & Get a Free Reddi Wip 6.5 oz- up to $2.50
• Save $1.00 when you buy one Kraft Miracle Whip 19-30 oz
• Buy 2 Nabisco Snack Crackers or Ritz & Save $1.00
December 2024 Shocker Offers
2/$7.00
Pure Life Water 24pk 16.9oz
Ad Week: 12/01/24
2/$4.00
EE Tortilla Chips
Ad Week: 12/08/24
$4.99
Green Mountain Coffee Bag
Ad Week: 12/08/24
2/$3.00
EE Potato Chips Ad Week: 12/08/24
$4.99
Green Mountain Coffee KCup
Ad Week: 12/08/24
2/$6.00
EE Purified Water 24 Packs
Ad Week: 12/08/24
$3.99
Ice Mountain Spring Water 24pk Ad Week: 12/15/24 & 12/22/24
2/$5.00
Tropicana Pure Premium OJ 46oz
Ad Week: 12/15/24
December 2024 Shocker Offers
2/$5.00
Pillsbury Crescent, Sweet Biscuits or Sweet Rolls
Ad Week: 12/15/24 & 12/22/24
2/$5.00
Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Biscuits
Ad Week: 12/15/24 & 12/22/24
5/$5.00
BE Core Poly and Steam Vegetables
Ad Week: 12/22/24
4/$10.00
Lean Cuisine Features/Favorites
Ad Week: 01/05/25
$4.99
Healthy Choice Frozen Dinners or Steamer
Ad Week: 12/29/24 & 01/05/25
$6.99
EE Chunk/Shredded Cheese 32 oz
Ad Week: 01/05/25
2/$4.00
Old Orchard Cocktail/Healthy Balance Juice 64oz
Ad Week: 01/05/25
2/$6.00
Silk Almond Milk/Blends 59-64oz
Ad Week: 01/12/25
December 2024 Shocker Offers
2/$5.00 Stouffers Classics HT/LT
Ad Week: 01/12/25
10/$9.00 Dannon Oikos Core 5.3/LNF Greek Cups 5.3/Remix Mix-Ins
Ad Week: 01/12/25
Upcoming Big Buy Offers
2/$6.00
Kellogg’s Special K Cereal 9.3-13.3oz
Ad Week: 1/5/25
All CMAP (No Scan)
$1.79
Essential Everyday Natural Sliced Cheese
Ad Week: 1/12/25
2/$5.00
Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese
Ad Week: 2/2/25
All CMAP (No Scan)
$9.99
Essential Everyday Gallon Vegetable Oil
Ad Week: 1/26/25
2/$4.00
Campbell’s Chunky Soup
Ad Week: 2/2/25
All CMAP (No Scan)
3/$9.00
Ore-Ida 2lb Potatoes, Hashbrowns & Tots
Ad Week: 2/2/25
All CMAP (No Scan)
$7.99
Totino’s Pizza Rolls 100ct
Ad Week: 2/2/25
Multicultural Deals
Upcoming Promotional Events
Holiday
Home Care Perfect Storm
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. AD WEEK: 12/01/24 AD WEEK: 01/26/25
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card
Super Bowl LIX is a guaranteed win when you shop P&G brands at your local retailer AD WEEK: 12/29/24 The P&G artwork is available for UNFI retailers
Super Bowl
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
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card or Retailer gift card
$AVE Coupon Books
Discounted deals on relevant items
Upcoming $AVE Coupon Books
Promotion Dates:
• Jan - 12/29 - 1/11/25; Digital deal signups due 12/6/24
• Feb - 2/2 - 2/15/25; Print signups due 12/13/24
• Mar - 3/2 - 3/15/25; Print signups due 1/10/25
What’s Included?
• Includes 35 – 40 offers for items across center store: Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, and Non-Edible
Participation Options:
• Digital Deals – try us! Your first month is free.
• Printed Books
• Own Extra Effort (run promotions YOUR way)
Does your store have its own Coupon Book or Ad Circular?
Own Extra Effort participation option allows you to run the promotions YOUR way –in your ad, in-store flyer, ROP, or at shelf. Use this flexibility to do what works for your customers.
$ave Digital Deals Program
December Digital Deals offers are currently running at UNFI retailers. Program is open to Central Regions retailers currently live with AppCard.
• Customers enter their phone number or ID number at checkout to receive digital savings.
• Eliminates the need for retailers to set up PLUs; offers are set up on the retailer’s behalf with UNFI’s loyalty partner, AppCard. This execution also saves cashier transaction time, with no coupons to scan.
• Retailers must choose either ‘Digital Deals’ or ‘Printed Coupon Books’ to avoid customer confusion.
• Participation fee is $100/store/month. Optional (but suggested) signage package is also available. Retailers that sign up for the program will receive an execution guide 2 weeks prior to the event.
Learn More: If you want to learn more, please contact your UNFI Account Manager for more details.
Outdoor Entertaining
Discounted deals on relevant items
Sign up today!
Promotion Dates:
• April 27 – July 12, 2025; Signups due Feb 21, 2025
What’s Included?
• 16 pages of coupons and recipes
• Magazine-style photography
• Item/UPC list provided
• Over $40 in coupon savings
• POP Kits & Coupon Tear Pads
Media Support:
• Website is: www.OutdoorEntertaining.net
▪ All recipes ▪ Store locator ▪ Participating store list
Core Void Program
UNFI offers a Core Void Program to increase retailer profitability and ensure key items are on shelf that may have been removed or missed.
Features and Details:
This program is an easy way to ensure your assortment is current and you have the top items in your assortment.
Retailer Benefits:
• Grow Sales
• Support with Merchandising Plan
• Discount on first Case
• CMAP is provided to help offset labor cost and tag print.
• Drive Customer Loyalty
Who Can Participate?
• Primary supplied Conventional Retailers
• Please reach out to your Account Manger to participate in the Conventional Void fill program.
• Optimize Assortment
Kellanova Core Voids
Kellanova Core Voids
SuperDeal$ Telemarketing
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
(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.
How Do I Set Up an Informational Session?
Reach out to your UNFI Sales team or Marketing Account Manager to schedule an appointment.
www.unfi.com/unfi-media-network.html
• Access to CPG-funded advertising to drive new customers to your store & revenue back in your pocket.
Campaign
Brands:
Upcoming Campaigns
Campaigns from Brands your customers know and love!
Jocelyn Grant, Director of Retail Media for more information.
New Items
Essential Everyday Pasta Sauces
Essential Everyday® premade pasta sauces are a pantry staple you can count on for your busy lifestyle without sacrificing quality or time. Add instant rich flavor to your pasta dish by picking between Classic Alfredo, Roasted Garlic, and Basil Pesto!
Intro Deal
100% NIAD on all items. TPR on all items. Click Here for Additional Product Information
Stouffers Supreme Shells & Cheese
Stouffers Supreme Shells & Cheese is a bold take on classic comfort. Supremely creamy, supremely cheesy and ready in 10 minutes!
First Ship Date: Now Available
New General Mills Protein Cereal
Cheerios Protein has the top nutrient consumers are trying to increase their consumption of: Protein! Made with 8g of protein per serving, whole grain oats, and no artificial flavors or color from artificial sources.
First Ship Date: 12/01/24
New WK Kellogg’s Glazed Donut Holes Cereal
New Glazed Donut Holes platform meets consumers crave for increased "donut" flavored offerings. Teens and Kids are target for engaging package design and playful endorsements from the categories most iconic characters. Sphere shape is the top requested cereal form among kids & teens.
First Ship Date: 12/01/24
WK Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch Blueberry Cereal
• Blueberry #1 flavor for 55+ consumers
• High in Fiber, the #1 nutrient for 55+ consumers
• Consumer Testing: 78% extremely likely to buy
• Improved packing, highlighting “Sunny” front & center
First Ship Date: 12/01/24
Quaker Mighty Life Cereal
Mighty Life is fortified with additional vitamins to support families’ lifestyles: a good source of Vitamins C, D & Zinc in Immunity Support and a good source of Vitamin D & Calcium in Bone Health Support.
Non-Warehouse Cross Dock New Items
Cross Dock New Items: Grocery Bottled Water and Beverages
Checkout the latest new Natural/Organic/Specialty Bottle Water and Beverage products and emerging brands available via the non-warehouse cross dock program*
Click Here to View New
NWXD APL Additions
*Must be signed up with an active NWXD account to receive these items.
Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional details.
Category & Seasonal Sales Insights
About:
Learn the most impactful and prevalent department, category, seasonal, and attribute driven trends in Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, and GMHBC.
Scan this QR code to receive digital copies of Trend Reports, Express Lanes, and invitations to future webinars.
Benefits:
• Significant emphasis is placed on themes throughout these reports, featuring quantitatively identified, high growth product opportunities to help our retail partners stay on trend and drive incremental growth.
• Excel assortment templates available to quickly identify key voids in category
Category Reviews Sample Pages
See previous page on how to log-in and access all Category Reviews for sales insights.
Christmas is the #1 Selling Week of the Year
• There are dozens of categories that have above average sales in November and December.
• Continue to review product orders to ensure you’re ready for each selling week in December.
• Click on the reference resources to the right to view high indexing sales categories by week and key holiday item check lists.
Total Grocery, Frozen & Dairy Sales
High Indexing Categories by Week
Christmas Holiday Item Checklist
Top 25 Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts
DID YOU KNOW?
Rest of the Year Holidays (Nov & Dec)
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 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 non-holiday weeks (Jan – Oct).
If a store sells one jar of Sage each nonholiday week, , then a store can expect to sell 30 jars of sage the week of 11/24/24.
Click Here for Complete Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts Guide
#1 Vanilla
Top 25 Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts
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
Click Here for Complete Winter Holiday Spices & Extracts Guide
Traditional Chili
January is the #1 Month for Chili ingredient sales
Top Chili Ingredients
• Top Chili ingredients in Grocery include the following: Chili Beans, Kidney Beans (light and dark, canned and dry), cans of tomatoes sauce, diced/chopped tomatoes, Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, and other spices.
Top Selling Period
• The top Chili ingredients sales start in September and go through March, but retailers should expect to see a spike in sales Christmas week and again after Christmas in January.
January End Cap Display
• January is a great time to build newChili end cap displays and ensure stores are stockedup on all the top Chili ingredients.
Did You Know?
The biggest month for
Chili ingredient sales is January.
Frozen Pizza
January & February are top selling Frozen Pizza months
• The 2nd week in January is the #1 best selling week for Frozen Pizza, followed by Super Bowl sell week.
• Increase pizza orders during these key winter pizza selling months. Review the UNFI Ad Planner for pizza deals throughout the months.
Top 5 UNFI Supplied Pizza Brands
Frozen Meals – Single Serve
January is the top selling month for Single Serve Frozen Meals
• With colder weather and the holiday over, consumers are looking for quick, easy and warm meal solutions.
• In 2023, single-serve frozen dinners were the third highest-grossing frozen food category in the US, after ice cream, frozen novelties, and pizza. In a 2023 survey, 41% of shoppers said they bought individualsized frozen meals every time they shopped.
Super Bowl & Tortilla Chips
Tortilla Chips are a Top Snack for the Big Game
• Super Bowl 2025 will be on Sunday, February 9th .
• Nearly half shoppers will purchase their Super Bowl snacks within the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.
• The other half will purchase their snacks on Super Bowl Sunday.
Build Incremental Displays of Essential Everyday Salty Snacks, with extra focus on Tortilla Chips
• Capture Pre-Game Day sales with early displays starting in January (play-off games).
• Key Promotional Ad Week: 1/26/25
See UNFI Ad Planner for deals.
Did You Know?
Super Bowl sell weeks are the #1 sales weeks for Tortilla Chips.
Seasonal Items
Valentines Candy
Reminder: Prebooked Valentine's Day Candy will start shipping soon, starting 12/16/2024 through 1/3/2025
Recommended to set the aisle immediately following Christmas.
The Valentine’s Day holiday is a 7-week selling period.
• Candy remains the top gift for Valentine’s Day!
• Candy (57%), greeting cards (40%), flowers (39%) and an evening out (32%).
• People expected to spend an average of $186 per person, varying widely by age.
• Chocolate is the big seller, close to 60% of the sales
• Serious Gift Giving is the top candy segment for the holiday (Heart Boxes and Bags).
• Russel Stover, Lindt and Ghirardelli are the top vendors for Valentine’s Day.
Gorton's Fish 2025 Lent Virtual Pallet
Prebook Gorton's Fish for Lent, the biggest frozen fish selling event of the year!
• Bunker POS material available
• Prebook items for the 3/2/25 Lent Ad
Prebook for Delivery 2/23/25 - 3/7/25 Return Booking by 1/10/25!
2025 Summer Candy Catalog
Booking Window: 11/17/2024 – 12/14/2024
Shipping Window: 3/31/2025 – 6/27/2025
Summer Moments:
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.)
Key Merchandising
Reminders
Happy 2025! This year, New Year's Eve (Dec 31st) falls on a Tuesday
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Easy appetizers: chips, dip, crackers, cheese, Rotel tomatoes, Velveeta, frozen appetizers, frozen pizza, pizza dough
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Tabletop Items: Paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic cups, plastic utensils
• Easy Meals: Pasta sauces, pasta, canned meats
• Oyster crackers
• Healthy eating: entrees, fruit, yogurt, granola, frozen smoothies
• Crockpot: Smokies, BBQ Sauce, chili sauce, frozen meatballs
Many people celebrate with parties and staying up until midnight to ring in the new year
• Frozen vegetables
• Beverages: sparkling juice, soda, mixers, orange juice, cranberry juice
• Chips and Dip: Tortilla chips and salsa
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
February
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Easy Appetizers: Chicken wings, pizza rolls, fries, frozen snacks, frozen pizza, chips (potato chips and tortilla chips) chip dips (guacamole, queso, salsa), popcorn and pretzels
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Nonedible Items: tabletop-disposable plates, silverware, cups, napkins, and paper towels
• Easy Meals: chili (diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, canned beans), pulled pork (barbeque sauce, pickles) and nachos (chips, black olives, jalapenos, sour cream)
• Charcoal/Pellets
• Condiments: ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, dipping sauces, ranch dressing, buffalo and wing sauce
• Beverages: soda, lemonade, iced tea, and mixers, tomato juice, clamato
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th every year, in 2025 it will fall on a Friday Consumers in the United States spent $25.8 billion on Valentine's Day in 2024
February
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Candy is the top indexing category in Edible Grocery for the months of February
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
• Desserts and Snacks: refrigerated cookie dough, premium ice cream and frozen treats
• Easy to Bake: 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
• Chocolate: Build incremental displays of Valentine’s chocolates. Crossmerchandise with the floral department.
Chinese New Year
1/29/25 is a 16-day celebration
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & 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, 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
Meaningful Chinese New Year dishes are central to the celebrations
St. Patrick’s Day
falls on March 17th every year and is the feast of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland.
The meal that became popular on St. Patrick’s Day, corned beef and cabbage, was a tradition that started in America.
On St. Patrick’s Day, 819% more Guinness is consumed than usual.
March
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Traditional Dinner: corned beef, cabbage, potatoes
• Reuben Sandwich: rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing.
• Irish Soda Bread: baking mix or ingredients (flour, salt, butter, buttermilk, baking soda, sugar, raisins)
• Shepard’s Pie: frozen entrees or ingredients (potatoes, butter, onion, mixed vegetables, ground beef, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce)
• Beer, especially Guinness: beer sales increase 150% on average for St. Patrick’s Day
• Hot Dishes: Tuna, Seafood, Mac & Cheese, Tomato Soup, Egg noodle
Extra Effort
Basket Builders
• Green food coloring
• Candy
• Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip
• Specialty Mustard
• Paper goods, Solo cups
• Decorations
• Spring Cleaning
• March Madness- frozen appetizers, salty snacks, beverages
Ash Wednesday, First day of Lent is on March 5th, 2025
Supply Update
Latest Supply Updates
Canned Pineapple
• There is a supply shortage on all canned pineapple from Dole/Del Monte/ and Brands+ it is on allocation through Easter, due to bad crop results.
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.
Heinz Gravy
• Heinz Mushroom (3563259), Au Jus (3563085) and Pork Gravy (3563151) are currently not being produced due to supply constraints. Expected recovery early 2025.
Cool Whip Fat Free 8oz
• Code: 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.
Sara Lee Crème Pies
• There is a supply shortage on Sara Lee Crème Pies due to demand outpacing their supply capabilities. The estimated back in stock timeline is mid-January for all flavors.
Keebler Cookies, Nutella Biscuits and B-Ready
• Ferrero's Keebler Cookies, Nutella Biscuits and B-Ready items are experiencing shortages due to hurricane damage of a Georgia plant. Intermittent outs will occur into December. Recovery is expected late December.
Household Paper
• Due to a surge in demand the vendors below are on allocation. Recovery time is TBD
• Kimberly Clark – Viva, Scott Bath and Towels, Cottonelle.
o Flushable Wipes and Facial Tissue are not impacted.
• Georgia Pacific – Sparkle, Angel Soft, Quilted Northern, and Brawny
• P&G – Bounty and Charmin.
o Flushable wipes and Facial Tissue are not impacted.
Key Offers and Action Items
Action Items
Don’t Miss Offers
March Into Spring Savings
• Order Book Available: 11/13/24
• Orders Due: 1/3/25
UNFI Spring & Summer Show
• Registration open now through 2/12/25
• Orders Due: 2/28/24
March Is Frozen Food Month
• Participation Sign-up and Pallet Prebooks Due: 1/17/24
Summer Candy Catalog
• Orders Due: 12/14/24
Gorton's Fish 2025 Lent Virtual Pallet
• Order Due: 1/10/25
Additional Offers & Action Items
Review the Winter Holiday Spice & Extracts Guide and determine if you have enough of the top 25 products on order.
• Suggested Due Date: 12/13/2024
$ave Coupon Book Sign-ups
• January Digital Deals Sign-up Due: 12/6/24
• February Print Sign-up Due: 12/13/24
• March Print Sign-up Due: 1/10/25
If you’re not already enrolled, sign-up for SuperDeal$ Telemarketing to receive weekly exclusive offers. Enrolment is free.
• Suggested Due Date: 12/31/2024
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