February
Merchandising Playbook
GROCERY • FROZEN • DAIRY
Planning for March, April, and May
UNFI Spring & Summer Show
March Is Frozen Food Month
Easter
Key Display Programs
Published: January 31, 2025
Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
Events & Promotions
UNFI Media Network (UMN)
New Items
Category & Seasonal Sales Insights
Seasonal Items & Programs
Supply Update
Action Items
Action Items
Don’t Miss Offers
UNFI Spring & Summer Show
• Registration open now through 2/12/25
• Orders Due: 2/28/24
Key Display Programs
• Kraft Heinz Beverage Display Program
• Orders Due: 2/15/25
• WK Kellogg Displays On Demand Program
• Delivery Window: 2/2/25 – 5/23/25
Review and Take Advantage of the Upcoming Shocker and Big Buy Offers
• Suggested Pre-book: 6-7 weeks out from the ad week
Outdoor Entertaining (Spring & Summer 2025)
• Sign-up Due: 2/21/25
Order Nestle Toll House Easter Cookies
• Pre-book Only, Orders Due: 2/21/25
Additional Offers & Action Items
March Is Frozen Food Month
• 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
Review and place orders for Mercado Buys
• Deals available through March
Review and order the latest new items
• Suggested Due Date: 02/28/25
April $ave Coupon Book
• Sign-up Due: 2/7/25
If you’re not already enrolled, sign-up for SuperDeal$ Telemarketing to receive weekly exclusive offers. Enrolment is free.
• Suggested Due Date: 2/28/25
Holidays & Celebrations Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
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: Employee Appreciation Day & National Cereal Day
3/8: International Women’s Day
3/14: Pi Day
3/17: St. Patrick’s Day
3/21: National Crunch Taco Day
3/23: National Chips & Dip Day
Upcoming Holidays & Celebrations
April Key Dates:
• April: National Brunch Month
• 4/2: National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day
• 4/7: National Coffee Cake Day
• 4/12: National Grilled Cheese Day
• 4/18: National Animal Crackers Day
• 4/20: Easter
• 4/22: Earth Day
• 4/23: Administrative Professionals Day & National English Muffins Day
• 4/24: National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day
• 4/30: National Raisin Day
May Key Dates:
• May: American Cheese Month
• May: National Barbecue Month
• May: National Hamburger Month
• May: National Egg Month
• May: Youth Spring Sports Begin
• May: Graduation Season Begins
• 5/2: World Tuna Day
• 5/4: National Orange Juice Day
• 5/5: National Lemonade Day
• 5/5: Cinco de Mayo
• 5/11: Mother’s Day
• 5/13: National Fruit Cocktail Day
• 5/23: National Taffy Day
• 5/26: Memorial Day
Events and Promotions
Upcoming Promotional Events
March
Conagra MFFM
Ad Week: 03/02/25
MFFM Event
Ad Week: 03/02/25
Brands+ MFFM
Ad Week: 03/09/25
Campbell's Meal Solutions
Ad Week: 03/09/25
Kellanova Event
Ad Week: 03/09/25
MFFM Event
Ad Week: 03/16/25
Conagra Event
Ad Week: 03/30/25
April
Brands+ Pre-Easter
Ad Week: 04/06/25
Quaker Breakfast
Ad Week: 04/06/25
Easter Event
Ad Week: 04/13/25
McCormick Grilling Event
Ad Week: 04/20/25
Feeding America
Ad Week: 04/20/25
Cinco de Mayo
Ad Week: 04/27/25
May
Conagra Event
Ad Week: 05/04/25
Breakfast Partners Event
Ad Week: 05/04/25
Pet Event
Ad Week: 05/04/25
Unilever Memorial Day
Ad Week: 05/11/25
McCormick Grilling
Ad Week: 05/18/25
Memorial Day Holiday Event
Ad Week: 05/18/25
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:
• Order entry through the Perenso system portal or at the Orlando show location
• 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.
WK Kellogg Displays on Demand Program
Overview
A cereal program with the ability to order high demand displays, while supplies last! Cereal drives the #1 highest lift when on display among 50 grocery categories.
Process
• Place display order with normal open stock orders and receive on your next delivery.
• 4-month delivery window: 2/2/25 –5/23/25.
• DC Inventory monitored by WK Kellogg.
Retailer Benefit:
Available at all Central
Region UNFI DCs for
retailers participating in the Central Region promotional plan. Program is open to all other retailers and deals will be determined directly with WK Kellogg.
Option to order high volume displays without the regular 35-day lead time. Orders placed on a normal delivery schedule.
While supplies last!
Please reach out to your UNFI Sales Account Manager if you have questions.
WK Kellogg Displays on Demand
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.
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. Click Here for Sign-up Form
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
Upcoming Coupon Offers
Ad Week: 02/02/25
• Save $1.00 when you buy 2 Kraft Philly Cream Cheese 8oz brick
• Save $0.75 when you buy one-2# Velveeta Cheese
• Breakfast event: Buy any 6 Participating Items & Save $3.00 on Selected Items
• Buy any 8 Conagra items & save $3.50 on selected items
• Buy any 8 additional Conagra items & Save $3.50 on selected items
Ad Week: 02/09/25
• Buy any 6 Breakfast Event participating items & Save $3.00 on selected items
• Buy any 5 Conagra Low Tier Items & Save $2.00 off Water
Ad Week: 02/16/25
• Buy any 5 Conagra Items & Save $3.50 on Selected Items
Ad Week: 02/23/25
• Buy any 5 Quaker items & save $3.00 on selected items
Ad Week: 03/02/25
• Buy any 5 Conagra Items & Save $3.00 on Selected Items
• Buy any 2 Eggo 10ct Waffles or Sweet Breakfast & Save $1.00
• Buy 1 Gorton’s Fish and 1 Kraft Deluxe Frozen Mac & Cheese Lg Size & Save $2.00
• Buy 2 Haagan Dazs Ice Cream 28oz or 6ct Bars & Save $1.00
Ad Week: 03/09/25
• Buy any 3 Kellenova Items and Save &3.00 on Selected Items
Ad Week: 03/16/25
• Buy 2 Morningstar Burgers or Entrees & Save $2.00
• Buy 2 Edy’s Ice Cream or Haagan Daz Snack Size & Save $1.00
Upcoming Shocker Offers
2/$10.00
DiGiorno Core Pizza
Ad Week: 02/02/25
$7.99
Totino's Pizza Rolls 100ct
Ad Week: 02/02/25
2/$6.00
Marie Callender Frozen Dinners and Large Pot Pie
Ad Week: 02/09/25
2/$6.00
Ore Ida Fries, Tots, and Hashbrowns 16-32oz
Ad Week: 02/02/25
5/$5.00
Michelina's Frozen Entrees
Ad Week: 02/09/25
$5.99
Coffee mate Creamers 64oz
Ad Week: 02/09/25
2/$4.00
Ragu Core Pasta Sauces 16-24oz
Ad Week: 02/09/25
2/$5.00
Heinz Ketchup 20oz
Ad Week: 02/16/25
2/$4.00
Upcoming Shocker Offers
Kraft Chunk/Shredded Cheese 8oz
Ad Week: 02/23/25
5/$5.00
Kraft Blue Box Mac & Cheese
Ad Week: 03/02/25
3/$5.00
EE Potato Chips
Ad Week: 03/02/25
5/$5.00
EE Frozen Steamy Vegetables 12oz
Ad Week: 03/09/25
$2.99
Coffeemate Creamers Cold Foam 14oz./Flavored 32 oz.
Ad Week: 03/09/25`
$2.99
Coffeemate Iced Coffee
Ad Week: 03/09/25
2/$4.00
EE Tortilla Chips Ad Week: 03/09/25
2/$4.00 Rice A Roni/Pasta Roni 1.9-7.2oz Ad Week: 03/09/25
Upcoming Big Buy Offers
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna
5/$5.00
Essential Everyday Steamable Vegetables
Ad Week: 3/9/25
2/$6.00
Kellogg’s Cereal *New Items*
Glazed Donuts & Raisin Bran Crunch Blueberry
Ad Week: 3/9/25
2/$4.00
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Bricks
Ad Week: 4/13/25 Easter
All CMAP (No Scan)
2/$7.00
Breyer’s Ice Cream
Ad Week: 4/13/25 Easter
$3.99
Kraft Mayonnaise 30oz
Ad Week: 5/18/25 Memorial Day
All CMAP (No Scan)
2/$7.00
Heinz Ketchup 38oz
Ad Week: 5/18/25 Memorial Day
All CMAP (No Scan)
2/$4.00
Kraft Salad Dressing 16oz
Ad Week: 5/18/25 Memorial Day
All CMAP (No Scan)
Upcoming P&G Events
AD WEEK: 4/27/25
Spring Cleaning
Build basket for shoppers to execute their spring clean routine with "Clean Vibes Only" provided by P&G brands!
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card or Retailer gift card
AD WEEK: 3/30/25 The
P&G has pet-specific fabric and home care solutions to tackle these clean needs
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card or Retailer gift card
AD WEEK: 5/25/25
Summer Kick Off
Summer kicks off a host of holidays and casual backyard gatherings that are trip drivers to grocery. Build basket with P&G category needs for food-focused, casual celebrations.
Buy $30 in P&G, get a $10 Mastercard Prepaid card or Retailer gift card
Pet Event
Mercado Buys
Key Hispanic Products on Special
February
February is a time consumers celebrate the Big Game and Valentines day. Find a great list of key items to help celebrate these occasions in February.
Hispanic Staples
Consumers are looking for snacks, easy meals and beverages to help celebrate festive occasions. They are also looking for easy meal solutions to get them through February. These items includes staples like cake mixes, seasonings, rice, noodles, and a variety of sauces, including soy and oyster sauce, to add that authentic flavor to your dishes. Find a complete list of item by clicking on the link on the bottom right of this page
Mercado Buy Program Overview:
• Showcases authentic Hispanic items for both Hispanic and conventional consumers.
• Drives incremental sales during key dates.
• Boosts conventional brands and categories as an additional selling tool.
• Features both Hispanic and conventional brands.
• Offers a wide range of items from different categories to retailers.
• Some items available as open stock and pallets/shippers.
. For questions, please contact your UNFI Account Manager.
$AVE Coupon Books
Monthly, 2-week duration promotional offers
Promotion Dates:
March $AVE valid dates: 3/2/25 - 3/15/25
• Printed signups are closed; Digital Deals due 2/7/25
April $AVE valid dates: 3/30 - 4/12
• Printed signups due 2/7/25; Digital Deals due 3/7/25
May $AVE valid dates: 5/4 - 5/17
• Printed signups due 3/14/25; Digital Deals due 4/6/25
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)
Prefer to run offers on your own?
Own Extra Effort 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 Coupon Books
Digital Deals
$AVE 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: To learn more, please contact Erin Swanson, Erin.K.Swanson@unfi.com or Brandy Schaf, Brandy.J.Schaf@unfi.com
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 $40 in coupon savings
• POP Kits & Coupon Tear Pads
Media Support:
• Website is: www.OutdoorEntertaining.net
▪ All recipes
▪ Store locator
▪ Participating store list
▪ Links to social media
SuperDeal$ 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)
Upcoming Campaigns
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?
• A 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.
https://www.unfi.com/unfi-media-network.html
• Access to CPG-funded advertising to drive new customers to your store & revenue back in your pocket.
Upcoming Campaigns
Campaign Brands: Campaigns from Brands your customers know and love!
Don’t Miss Out
These digital campaigns are only available to retailers that are a part of the UNFI Media Network (UMN).
Contact Jocelyn Grant, Director – Retail Media, to join UMN today.
ShineWater
03/01/25 – 03/31/25
KC Cottonelle & Scott National Coupon
03/09/25 – 04/06/25
Kellanova College Hoops
03/09/25 – 03/23/25
Brands+ Frozen Food Month (UDAN)
03/09/25 – 03/30/25
Brands+ Easter (UDAN)
04/06/25 – 04/27/25
Feeding America (UDAN)
04/20/25 – 05/11/25
Outdoor Entertaining (UDAN)
04/27/25 – 05/18/25
LikeAir Popcorn
05/01/25 – 05/31/25
Mother’s Day Breakfast – Smuckers (UDAN)
05/04/25 – 05/25/25
Pet Event (UDAN)
05/04/25 – 05/25/25
New Items
Latest New & Now
See February's newest products and emerging brands!
Click below to view the latest copies of the UNFI New & Now product catalogs. Promotional
New! February 2025 Catalog
January 2025 Catalog
December 2024 Catalog
Capri Sun Single Serve Bottles
Capri Sun is launching the kids’ #1 favorite drink in a bottle to fit into your kids’ onthe-go lifestyle.
Single-serve bottle are parents’ top choice for their children when they are on-the-go because they are easy for their kids to open, can be resealed, easily transportable and won’t break.
First Ship Available: 2/17/2025
Kraft Heinz Flavor Tour Sauces
Heinz inspired street sauces bring globally-inspired flavors to your home. Dip, drizzle, dress all your favorite foods with these new street sauces.
First Ship Available: 2/17/2025
Kraft Pickle Mayo
Kraft is expanding their pickle flavored condiments to included mayo. Flavored Mayo is increasingly relevant to the category, and pickle flavor has the appeal to resonate with the majority of consumers
First Ship Available: 2/17/2025
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.
Yellowstone Frozen Meals
Eat like a Dutton in less than 10 minutes! Round up the flavor with 4 Dutton Family recipes packed with protein to get you back in the saddle!
First Ship Date: 2/10/25
San Pellegrino Ciao! Water
The well-known brand of San Pellegrino Water from Italy is now expanding to a Ciao! line.
Flavored Sparkling Water balanced with a pinch of Sicilian salt.
• Made with real fruit juices
• Zero grams of Added Sugars
• 10 calories or less per can
Non-Warehouse Cross Dock New Items:
Grocery Categories: Dry Pasta, Soup, Oils & Shortening
Checkout the latest new Natural/Organic/Specialty TBD products and emerging brands available via the non-warehouse cross dock program*
*Must be signed up with an active NWXD account to receive these items. Contact your UNFI Account Manager for additional details.
Dry Pasta
Oils & Shortening
Soup & Broth
Seasonal Sales Insights
Refrigerated Potatoes
Easter sell week is the 2nd highest sell week for Refrigerated Potatoes (primarily Hash Browns), tied with Thanksgiving sell week.
You
Over 60% of the Refrigerated Potatoes category sales comes from the #1 Item: Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns.
Seasonal
Items & Programs
Nestle Toll House Easter Cookies
Telemarketing Deal
Orders due By: 2/21/25!
Use Order Type: NCST
Timing
Order & Deal
• Get ready for an egg-citing Easter treat that will have your taste buds hopping with joy!
• A mouthwatering chocolate chip cookie, adorned with vibrant pastel egg sprinkles.
• Place your pre-booked orders soon! Easter is on Sunday, April 20, 2025
Ship Window: 03/05/25 – 04/11/25
CMAP Allowance: $3.60/Case
Final Orders Due*: Friday, 2/21/25, Use Order Type: NCST
Email Orders to: svcssuperdeal@unfi.com
Kraft Heinz Beverage Display Program
Overview
Beverage Mix Trends
• Beverage Mixes is a $2.3 Billion Category that has grown over +40% Since 2019.
• Racks drive +16.5% incremental beverage mix sales (as high as 40% in some retailers), with 6 – 31% category lifts.
Incrementality
• Beverage displays captures incremental seasonal and impulse buyers who may not shop the aisle.
• Alleviates potential out-of-stock issues on primary shelf.
Availability
Order by: 2/15/2025
Key Display Options
Beverage Mix Racks
• Rack production, shipping and maintenance labor all free to Retailer.
• Incentive:
• Receive $500-$600 for every rack maintained through Labor Day
Beverage Mix Shippers & Pallets
• Receive shipper/Mod performance incentives ranging from $5.00 – $90.00
Click Here for Full Program Details
Kraft Heinz will Build Displays in March and Maintain through Labor Day.
Execution
Recommendations:
• Place in High traffic and high visibility in front-ofstore locations
• Link to water by placing close to Private Label water; racks placed near water see +1pt of incremental lift.
• Optimize Product Mix with a balance of powdered and liquid concentrates
Canning Season is Here!
Canning is year-round with a burst in sales during any peak produce seasons. This will be from Spring to Fall depending on the produce.
Quick Facts:
• Sure-Jell and Certo are the topmost known pectin brands which is a key ingredient in canning.
• Mrs. Wages offers a range of flavors from fridge pickling to pasta sauce found on easy seasonal displays.
• Ball Jars are used for more than just Canning including crafting, drinking or for holiday gifts
Order now so your display is ready for the upcoming season:
Available through the SuperDeal$ Telemarketing program and Canning Surveys
DID YOU KNOW?
More than 1 in 3 households participate in food gardening. Tomatoes are the most commonly grown in any garden!
On Average, each individual consumes 351.8 pounds of produce per year!
Key
Merchandising Reminders
March
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17th every year and is the feast of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland.
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Traditional Dinner: corned beef, cabbage, potatoes
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Green food coloring
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.
Ash Wednesday, First day of Lent is on March 5th, 2025
• 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
• Candy
• Condiments: Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip, specialty mustard
• Paper Products: Paper goods, Solo cups
• Decorations
• Spring Cleaning
• March Madness- frozen appetizers, salty snacks, beverages
Easter falls on April 20,2025.
Easter typically ranks fourth in yearly holidays for grocery stores following Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
Over 50% of people make Easter baskets for their children.
Many families (81%) will celebrate with a brunch or early dinner meal.
• 79% of homes makes 4 or more dishes
• Hosts strive to make the day memorable and worry about food presentation
• 86% gather with 6 or more people
April
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Easter Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Meats: Ham, Turkey, lamb, roast, seafood
• Breakfast Foods
• Eggs, butter, milk, cheese, bacon, pancakes, donuts, muffins, French toast, bagels, etc.
• Sweets: Easter candy/chocolate
• Food coloring
• For coloring eggs and for baking
• Vinegar for egg dye coloring
• Desserts: Frozen desserts and baking ingredients
• Condiments: Mayo spreads, salad dressing, pickles, olives
• Vegetables/Broth: Frozen and canned vegetables, broth
Easter
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Egg dying kits
• Items for topping meat such as pineapple, Maraschino Cherries, Glazes (Ham), Gravies, Hollandaise & Mint sauce for lamb
• Frozen whipped topping for Jell-o creations, pies, and other desserts
• Easter is a popular time when Rice Krispie treats are made. Merchandise Rice Krispies and marshmallows together on an endcap to maximize sales
• Frozen hash browns (or refrigerated) are a multi-purpose item likely to be on a customer’s table during Easter. They are generally the main ingredient in cheesy potatoes, or use them for brunch and cross merchandise with eggs, shredded cheese, and sausage for egg bake
April
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Cinco de Mayo
Cindo de Mayo is on May 5, 2025. This is an annual celebration to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.
Celebrations: Parades, food, music, folkloric dancing, battle reenactments
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Food: Ramen, Mac & Cheese, Hamburger Helper, rice, pasta, egg noodles, Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Queso
• Frozen Items: frozen pizzas, frozen vegetables, frozen mex, Delimax taquitos
• Canned Items: Canned vegetables, canned beans, canned tuna, canned tomatoes
• Refridgerated Items: Sour cream, cheese
• Misc: Taco Seasonings Tortillas, Tortilla Chips
• Drinks: Bacardi Mixers Frozen
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Build display based on the heavy hitters list
• Budget friendly items
Mother’s day will be celebrated on May 11, 2025
Many families enjoy celebrating with breakfast or brunch in the morning
47% of those who celebrate the holiday dine out for dinner
May
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Coffee/Creamer: Coffee, cold brew, tea coffee creamer, milk, plant-based milk
• Juices- orange, apple, grapefruit
• Breakfast Items: Breakfast pastries, cereal, bagels, cream cheese, yogurt, Greek yogurt, granola, eggs, breakfast meat
• Fruit: Fresh fruit, frozen fruit
• Potatoes: Frozen and refrigerated potatoes
• Sweets: Cake mixes, brownies
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Desserts: ice cream and premium ice cream
• Confection candy
• Cheese and crackers
• Fresh berries
• Butter and margarine
• Flowers
• Candles
Memorial Day is celebrated on May 26, 2025
Generally considered the kick off to summer and grilling season
60% of families in the US plan to barbeque on Memorial Day
May
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
• Hotdog, Hamburger and Brats fixings- ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, mayonnaise, BBQ Sauce, Sauerkraut
• Snacks: Chips, crackers, sour cream, dips, and packet dip mixes, watermelon, Corn on the Cob
• Summer beverage- lemonade, sweet tea, 12pks., juice, mixers, Country Time, Kool-Aid, Mio
• Desserts- angel food cake, frozen whipped topping and frozen fruit, brownies, s’mores, frozen novelties, ice cream, ice cream cones
Extra Effort Basket Builders
• Additional summer sides- suddenly salad kits, short cut pasta, baked beans, pork n beans
• Grilling staples- charcoal, grilling pellets, aluminum foil, grilling seasonings/rubs, and marinades
• Table top- paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic cups, and plastic utensils
Graduation Celebration
2025 Many families celebrate with a school ceremony and party
Plan for Key Sales Drivers
Heavy Hitters
Review & Adjust
Basket Builders May
Extra Effort
• Hotdog, Hamburger and Brats fixings-ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, mayonnaise, BBQ Sauce, Sauerkraut
• Fried chicken
• Snacks: Cold cuts, chips, crackers, sour cream, dips, and packet dip mixes, watermelon, Corn on the Cob
• Summer beverage-lemonade, sweet tea, 2-liter pop, 12pks., juice, mixers, Country Time, Kool-Aid, Mio
• Desserts- angel food cake, frozen whipped topping and frozen fruit, brownies, s’mores, frozen novelties, ice cream, ice cream cones
• Grilling staples- charcoal, grilling pellets, aluminum foil, grilling seasonings/rubs, and marinades
• Tabletop- paper plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic cups, and plastic utensils, local school colors
Supply Update
Latest Supply Updates
McCormick Gravy Beef/Chicken/Turkey
• Material Codes: 90146624, 901458906, and 901458907 are on allocation effective 11/15/2024. Holiday demand exceeded forecast. Allocation will cover the remaining period of November and December. Estimated recovery is April 2025.
Key Offers and Action Items
Action Items
Don’t Miss Offers
UNFI Spring & Summer Show
• Registration open now through 2/12/25
• Orders Due: 2/28/24
Key Display Programs
• Kraft Heinz Beverage Display Program
• Orders Due: 2/15/25
• WK Kellogg Displays On Demand Program
• Delivery Window: 2/2/25 – 5/23/25
Review and Take Advantage of the Upcoming Shocker and Big Buy Offers
• Suggested Pre-book: 6-7 weeks out from the ad week
Outdoor Entertaining (Spring & Summer 2025)
• Sign-up Due: 2/21/25
Order Nestle Toll House Easter Cookies
• Pre-book Only, Orders Due: 2/21/25
Additional Offers & Action Items
March Is Frozen Food Month
• 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
Review and place orders for Mercado Buys
• Deals available through March
Review and order the latest new items
• Suggested Due Date: 02/28/25
April $ave Coupon Book
• Sign-up Due: 2/7/25
If you’re not already enrolled, sign-up for SuperDeal$ Telemarketing to receive weekly exclusive offers. Enrolment is free.
• Suggested Due Date: 2/28/25
If you have questions or need anything, please reach out to your