KeHE Distributors concluded its 2026 Summer Show in Denver, Colorado, and virtually on the KeHE CONNECT platform, welcoming more than 5,000 retailers, suppliers and industry partners.
The event delivered education, trend insights, curated buying opportunities and connections, reinforcing KeHE’s role as a partner helping retailers and brands compete in an evolving grocery landscape. Designed to support planning for the summer selling season, the show connected retailers with emerging and established brands while offering in-store merchandising solutions and actionable consumer insights.
“KeHE shows are powerful as they bring the entire distribution ecosystem together in one place,” said Ari Goldsmith, VP of marketing and digital media at KeHE.
“With record-breaking attendance and unprecedented sales, the engagement in Denver showed how face-to-face collaboration between retailers and suppliers accelerates innovation and helps better serve today’s shoppers.”
Leadership insights and award winners
The show opened with the Executive Update: Shaping Tomorrow Together, featuring Deb Conklin, CEO and president at KeHE, who addressed the economic landscape, the state of the grocery industry and how retailer and supplier feedback continues to inform KeHE’s strategic direction.
KeHE recognized standout brands and exhibitors through its KeHE On Trend Awards and introduced Booth Awards for the first time. The company handed out four awards to suppliers whose booth creativity and execution stood out:
- Legacy Award: Stubb’s
- Endcap Excellence Award: Westgold
- Show Stopper Award: Gelatys
- Innovator in Action Award: Lipid Kitchen
Fresh brands and sustainability efforts
Innovation took center stage in the KeHE Fresh Marketplace. Wild Oats, a new KeHE Exclusive Brand, debuted at the show featuring the first and only Regenerative Organic Certified cold-pressed juices and smoothies, pasture-raised Regenerative Organic Certified eggs and free-range organic egg offerings.
Expert-led education sessions and in-store sampling demonstrations focused on trends, merchandising strategies and in-store activation best practices to drive trial and conversion.
KeHE underscored its commitment to sustainability through on-site food donation efforts in partnership with We Don’t Waste, donating over 44,000 meals to support the Denver community.
KeHE invites retailers and suppliers to prepare for the holiday season at the 2026 KeHE Holiday Show, taking place in Chicago June 10-11 and virtually on the KeHE CONNECT platform from June 3-19.
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