Fresh, wellness-forward products and experiences bring emerging opportunities for retailers to differentiate and compete

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2026-- At its 2026 Spring and Summer Selling Show in Orlando, Fla., United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) brought more than 3,400 retailers and suppliers together to explore innovative products and help customers create value for their shoppers this spring and summer selling season.

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UNFI’s 2026 Spring and Summer Selling Show in Orlando, Fla., brought more than 3,400 grocery retailers and suppliers together to explore innovative products and industry trends reshaping shopper expectations.

“As the grocery industry rapidly evolves, UNFI is focused on helping retailers identify and scale emerging trends across our broad network of suppliers,” said Louis Martin, President of Conventional Grocery Products and UNFI Chief Commercial Officer. “We’re partnering with our customers to offer compelling value, unique product assortments, innovative merchandising programs, and services that help them stand apart from the competition.”

Five Trends Shaping Spring & Summer 2026*

1. Perimeter gains ground – Increased adoption of GLP-1 medications and updated USDA guidelines are driving shoppers to seek healthier, attribute-forward foods. More shoppers are moving toward the perimeter in search of fresh, nutrient-dense options.
2. Private brands accelerate innovation – The rising popularity of private brands, now found in roughly 90% of households, is fueling a wave of new product development⁽¹⁾. Private brands are driving innovation and loyalty as shoppers seek more value for every dollar.
3. Protein breaks traditional boundaries – While poultry, eggs, dairy, and meat remain dominant, consumers are broadening their protein sources—with growth in protein shakes, powders, bars, and fortified everyday items ⁽²⁾.
4. Gut health goes mainstream – More than 80% of consumers say gut health matters, and over half expect to prioritize it even more in the next few years — putting fiber rich products on a similar trajectory to protein enhanced foods ⁽³⁾.
5. The return of simplicity – Shoppers are rediscovering the appeal of simple, minimally processed foods and traditional fats, gravitating toward shorter ingredient lists, familiar formats, and a back-to-basics approach to nourishment.

“Serving our community means leaning into emerging trends and evolving with our shoppers’ needs,” said Saj Kahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Nugget Market, Inc. “As we prepare for the spring and summer selling season, UNFI’s data-driven insights, broad assortment, and tailored merchandising solutions are helping us bring in the innovative products our shoppers are looking for.”

During its Spring and Summer Selling Shows, UNFI showcased nearly 50 new private label products that lean into the latest shopper trends – from healthy snacking to high-protein and fiber-rich options. Recent innovations from UNFI’s Woodstock brand include new Banana Water flavors (Strawberry, Blueberry and Chocolate), Frozen Fruit Bars and Chocolate Dipped Fruit Bites. New products from UNFI’s Essential Everyday brand include Frozen Breakfast Bowls and Sandwiches, Frozen Protein Waffles, Protein Instant Oatmeal, and expanded Zero Sugar Juice flavors.

Learn more about these products and how UNFI pairs them with tailored marketing and merchandising solutions.

About UNFI

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 food service 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.

*Sources:

1) Numerator “Private label trends tracker”
2) Mass Market Retailers “Protein trend reshapes grocery aisles”
3) McKinsey & Company “The trends defining the $1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024”

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For Media:
Grace Turiano
786.682.8046
Grace.Turiano@unfi.com

For UNFI Investors:
Kristyn Farahmand
401-213-2160
kristyn.farahmand@unfi.com
-or-
Steve Bloomquist
952-828-4144
steve.j.bloomquist@unfi.com

Source: United Natural Foods, Inc.