United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) has extended its wholesale grocery distribution partnership with Whole Foods Market, an affiliate of Amazon.com, by entering into an extension of the current distribution agreement. The term of the extended distribution agreement between the parties will run through May 2032, replacing the prior agreement that was set to expire in […]
Category: Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market, founded in 1980 by John Mackey, Renee Lawson Hardy, Craig Weller, and Mark Skiles, originated in Austin, Texas. As a pioneer in the natural and organic foods movement, the brand has evolved into one of the world’s leading retailers of natural and organic foods.
The company’s business model revolves around offering high-quality, responsibly sourced products that promote health and well-being. The brand distinguishes itself by maintaining strict quality standards, including bans on artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives in its products. With a commitment to sustainability, the chain supports local farmers and suppliers, prioritizing organic and non-GMO options whenever possible. Whole Foods Market operates over 500 locations across North America and the United Kingdom.
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Thrive Market Hires Lane As Chief Merchandising Officer
Thrive Market has named April Lane its chief merchandising officer, bringing decades of e-commerce experience to her role. As the chief merchandising officer, Lane will be responsible for the site’s merchandising, which spans food, home, health and beauty. She will also manage the Food Safety and Quality (FSQA) team, which oversees food quality, safety and regulatory […]
Posted inExecutive News, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Southwest, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market CEO Talks Future Of Food Retail
Jason Buechel, Whole Foods Market CEO, took part in two panel discussions – the evolving food retail landscape and the future of work – during the recent Milken Institute Global Conference 2024. A gathering of global leaders from business, finance, government and philanthropy, this year’s conference focused on the critical issues facing the world today, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Supply Chain News, Whole Foods
Amazon Adds Grocery Delivery Subscription For Prime Members
Amazon has introduced a new grocery delivery subscription benefit, available to Prime members and customers using EBT in more than 3,500 cities and towns across the U.S. At $9.99 per month for Prime members, the subscription offers unlimited grocery delivery on orders of more than $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and a variety […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
Alliance Retail Group, Swiftly Unveil Retail Media Network
Alliance Retail Group has launched its Retail Media Network in conjunction with Swiftly, offering more than 1,400 independent retailers a way to connect more personally with their 22 million unique consumers through digital and in-store campaigns. “What sets our Retail Media Network apart is that our retailers will receive 100 percent of the dollars we […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Honors Top Suppliers
Whole Foods Market has announced the 16 brands receiving its 2023 Supplier All-Star Awards for promoting excellence through quality, innovation, value and sustainability. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on this committed group of suppliers and the remarkable contributions they’ve made to enriching our customer’s shopping experiences, advancing our purpose, and pushing the boundaries […]
Posted inBakery News, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Nature’s Bakery Adds Salted Caramel To Brownie Line
Nature’s Bakery, known for its fig bars and other soft-baked snacks, debuted a new flavor of its brownie line at Natural Products Expo West on March 14–16 in Anaheim, California. The Salted Caramel Brownie is made with whole grains, dates and vegan chocolate. Salted Caramel Brownie follows the launch of Nature’s Bakery’s Double Chocolate Brownie in July 2023. In less […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
Study Reveals Top Grocers Based On Consumer Preference
Market Force’s newest syndicated research covering grocery retailers suggests that consumers are still focused on pricing and promotions, but that slowing inflation has allowed them to also choose grocers based on convenience, cleanliness and variety of merchandise. H-E-B, Fry’s, King Soopers, Brookshire Grocery and Food Lion rank at the top of consumer preference, receiving the […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, West, Whole Foods
Chosen Foods To Debut Sauces, Spreads At Expo West
Chosen Foods will debut three dip and drizzle sauces, a Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and a squeeze bottle package at Natural Products Expo West 2024 Hall E booth 5606. The company’s mission is to replace bad fats with the good ones by incorporating 100-percent pure avocado oil as a key ingredient in its products. Available at Walmart and on Chosen […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Lundberg Becomes Leading Regenerative Organic Certified Brand
Lundberg Family Farms, a grower of organic rice and maker of packaged rice and rice snacks, has become the leading U.S. Regenerative Organic Certified food brand introducing more than 70 products across its portfolio. Last year, Lundberg became the first U.S.-grown rice brand to launch Regenerative Organic Certified rice. “We have a massive opportunity to positively impact consumers’ plates […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Selects Participants For LEAP Program
Whole Foods Market has announced the participants for its latest cohort in the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), celebrating brands selected for the program’s Early Growth track. Launched in 2022, LEAP advances Whole Foods Market’s core value of supporting local and emerging suppliers by creating mentorship opportunities for cohort participants with Whole Foods Market experts, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods To Open ‘Daily Shop’ Format Store In NYC
Whole Foods Market is introducing a new, quick-shop store format to provide customers in urban neighborhoods with easier access to fresh offerings. The new format – Whole Foods Market Daily Shop – will initially launch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan with additional locations in New York City to follow. The first store, located […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods
Unique Snacks Celebrates Double-Digit Growth in 2023
Unique Snacks, a sixth-generation family-owned and operated snack company, continued to grow its brand and expand the availability of its signature snacks in 2023. Among other achievements, the business grew its brick-and-mortar distribution sales by 18 percent year-over-year, generated 20 percent year-over-year growth in Amazon sales and launched a new snack category: Puffzels, a gluten-free, […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
FTC Sues To Block Kroger, Albertsons Merger
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued to block the proposed merger between The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., alleging that the deal is anticompetitive. The FTC charges that the proposed deal will eliminate competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items for millions of Americans. The […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
January Online Grocery Sales Total $8.5B
The U.S. online grocery market finished January with $8.5 billion in total sales, up 1.8 percent compared to 2023, according to the recent Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopper Survey. Despite a jump in the number of households buying groceries online during the month, January’s overall sales growth was moderated year over year by a downward […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Kroger Says It Will Lower Prices If Albertsons Merger OK’d
The Kroger Co. is sharing additional insights about how the company lowered prices via previous mergers and plans to do the same through its proposed deal with Albertsons Cos. “We believe the way to be America’s best grocer is to provide great value by consistently lowering prices and offering more choices. When we do this, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
FMI Welcomes New Members To Board Of Directors
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced additions to its board of directors elected during the group’s January meeting. “The food industry is on the cusp of momentous change, with new technologies poised to alter the way food businesses operate,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. “FMI is proud to welcome these […]
Posted inH-E-B, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National, Whole Foods
H-E-B Holds Top Spot In Dunnhumby’s Annual Grocery Rankings
H-E-B has been named the top U.S. Grocery Retailer in the seventh annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI), a nationwide study that examines the U.S. grocery market. H-E-B is the first grocery retailer to be recognized three times as No. 1 in the RPI ranking, surpassing Amazon and Trader Joe’s which have ranked as top grocer twice. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Preps Store In South Windsor, CT
Whole Foods Market will open a 43,406-square-foot store Jan. 17 in The Shops at 801 Evergreen Way in South Windsor, Connecticut, its fifth location in the greater Hartford area. The South Windsor store’s design includes tile textures and a neutral color palette, connecting to the surrounding natural landscape. Its product assortment includes more than 1,000 items […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
What Instacart’s IPO Says About E-Commerce Growth, Retail Grocery
In late September, Instacart launched its initial public offering. The e-commerce company offers online ordering fulfillment, plus an online marketplace for retailers. (We have many IGA stores as Instacart partners.) Their IPO offers a lot of insights into the e-commerce market in the U.S., starting with its value. During COVID-19, when shoppers were forced out […]