United Natural Foods Highlights Key Retail Trends at 2026 Spring & Summer Selling Show
United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) brought together more than 3,400 retailers and suppliers at its 2026 Spring and Summer Selling Show in Orlando, Florida, reinforcing its position as a strategic partner to the grocery industry. The large-scale event served as a platform to explore emerging consumer trends, introduce innovative products, and equip retailers with tools and insights to drive growth during the upcoming spring and summer selling season.
As the grocery landscape continues to evolve rapidly, UNFI emphasized its commitment to helping retailers identify, scale, and capitalize on high-impact trends across its expansive supplier network.
Strengthening Retail Partnerships in a Changing Grocery Landscape
Speaking at the event, Louis Martin, President of Conventional Grocery Products and Chief Commercial Officer at UNFI, underscored the company’s focus on supporting retailers through data-driven insights and differentiated offerings.
According to Martin, the grocery sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by shifting consumer behaviors, health priorities, and value expectations. In response, UNFI is working closely with retail partners to provide compelling value propositions, curated product assortments, innovative merchandising programs, and operational services that help stores stand apart in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
The Selling Show was designed not just as a trade exhibition, but as a collaborative environment where retailers and suppliers could exchange ideas, align strategies, and prepare for seasonal demand shifts.
Five Major Trends Shaping Spring and Summer 2026
During the event, UNFI spotlighted five influential trends expected to define consumer purchasing patterns in 2026. These trends reflect a combination of health awareness, value-seeking behavior, and evolving lifestyle preferences.
1. Perimeter Gains Momentum
One of the most notable shifts highlighted at the show is the growing consumer focus on perimeter shopping — the outer aisles of grocery stores typically home to fresh produce, dairy, meat, and bakery items.
The increased adoption of GLP-1 medications and updated USDA dietary guidelines are influencing shoppers to prioritize healthier, attribute-forward foods. Consumers are gravitating toward fresh, minimally processed, and nutrient-dense products as part of broader wellness goals.
United Retailers are responding by expanding offerings in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, dairy alternatives, and clean-label prepared foods. This renewed focus on the perimeter reflects a broader consumer shift toward whole foods and balanced nutrition.
2. Private Brands Drive Innovation and Loyalty
Private label products continue to gain traction, now present in approximately 90% of U.S. households. Rather than being viewed solely as lower-cost alternatives, private brands are increasingly positioned as innovative, high-quality, and value-driven options.
UNFI noted that private brands are fueling a new wave of product development across multiple categories. Retailers are leveraging their own brands to strengthen shopper loyalty, differentiate assortments, and protect margins amid economic pressures.
Innovation within private label now extends beyond traditional staples to include trend-forward offerings such as plant-based items, protein-enhanced products, specialty beverages, and clean-label snacks. As consumers seek more value for every dollar, private brands are becoming central to merchandising strategies.
3. Protein Expands Beyond Traditional Sources
United Protein remains a dominant dietary priority, but consumer preferences are expanding beyond conventional sources such as poultry, eggs, meat, and dairy.
Growth is accelerating in alternative and supplemental formats, including protein shakes, powders, bars, and fortified everyday items like cereals, snacks, and beverages. Consumers are integrating protein into multiple eating occasions — from breakfast to on-the-go snacking — rather than limiting it to traditional meal times.
This broadening definition of protein presents opportunities for retailers to diversify shelf offerings, particularly in functional foods and convenience categories.
4. Gut Health Goes Mainstream
Digestive wellness has transitioned from niche interest to mainstream priority. More than 80% of consumers report that gut health matters to them, and over half expect to prioritize it even more in the coming years.
Fiber-rich products, probiotic beverages, fermented foods, and digestive-support snacks are experiencing strong growth. Industry experts suggest that fiber may follow a trajectory similar to protein in terms of category expansion and consumer awareness.
Retailers are increasingly spotlighting gut-friendly claims, ingredient transparency, and functional benefits to meet this demand. The emphasis on digestive health aligns closely with the broader wellness movement reshaping grocery purchasing decisions.
5. The Return of Simplicity
United Amid innovation and functional claims, many shoppers are simultaneously rediscovering the appeal of simplicity. Consumers are gravitating toward shorter ingredient lists, familiar formats, and minimally processed foods.
This “back-to-basics” mindset includes renewed interest in traditional fats, classic recipes, and pantry staples made with recognizable ingredients. United Shoppers are seeking authenticity, transparency, and products that align with straightforward nutritional principles.
For retailers, this translates into opportunities across clean-label products, heritage brands, and simple whole-food options.
Retailer Perspectives on Data-Driven Merchandising
Retail partners at the event echoed the importance of actionable insights and tailored solutions.
Saj Kahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Nugget Market, Inc., emphasized that staying aligned with emerging trends is critical to serving today’s consumers.
He noted that UNFI’s data-driven insights, broad assortment, and customized merchandising programs are helping retailers identify and introduce innovative products that resonate with evolving shopper expectations. As the spring and summer season approaches, these strategic tools enable stores to refresh assortments and capture seasonal demand effectively.
Expanding Private Label Innovation
A key highlight of the Selling Show was UNFI’s showcase of nearly 50 new private label products designed to align with emerging shopper trends.
These new launches reflect consumer demand for healthy snacking, high-protein options, fiber-rich foods, and functional beverages.
Woodstock Brand Innovations
UNFI introduced several additions to its Woodstock brand portfolio, including:
- New Banana Water flavors such as Strawberry, Blueberry, and Chocolate
- Frozen Fruit Bars
- Chocolate Dipped Fruit Bites
These products tap into demand for plant-based hydration, convenient frozen treats, and better-for-you indulgences.
Essential Everyday Brand Expansions
UNFI’s Essential Everyday brand also unveiled multiple innovations, including:
- Frozen Breakfast Bowls and Sandwiches
- Frozen Protein Waffles
- Protein Instant Oatmeal
- Expanded Zero Sugar Juice flavors
These offerings reflect growing interest in high-protein convenience foods, reduced-sugar beverages, and quick meal solutions suited for busy lifestyles.
Positioning Retailers for Seasonal Success
Through its Spring and Summer Selling Show, UNFI reinforced its role as more than a distributor — positioning itself as a strategic growth partner for retailers navigating evolving consumer behavior.
By combining trend forecasting, product innovation, private label expansion, and merchandising support, UNFI aims to help retailers maximize seasonal performance while building long-term shopper loyalty.
United As the 2026 spring and summer selling season approaches, the company’s focus remains on delivering value, innovation, and operational support that empower retailers to compete effectively in a dynamic grocery marketplace.
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