PROVIDENCE, RI - During its second Holiday and Winter Selling Show of 2025 in Uncasville, Conn., United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) brought together more than 3,900 attendees, connecting more than 1,400 retailers and over 750 suppliers. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique products, spanning the natural, organic, fresh, specialty, and conventional grocery categories.

Differentiation that Drives Results

During the show, UNFI experts shared the latest industry insights and emerging growth opportunities to help grocers stand out during the upcoming holiday and winter selling season. According to a press release, top industry trends include*:

1. Promotions are on the rise – Promotional activity has ramped up with one-third of grocery volume focused on deals or value.
2. Private label is gaining popularity – Investment in private label continues with an expected 40% sales growth by 2030.
3. Disruptors are picking up speed – Challenger brands are gaining an edge, generating 27% growth in the food sector last year.
4. Health and wellness brands are booming – Fresh, high-protein and better-for-you options are outpacing the rest of the store.
5. Experiences are essential – Unique assortments and in-store experiences continue to drive traffic and volume for retailers of all sizes.

To help customers and suppliers capitalize on these trends, UNFI leaders also highlighted how their Professional Services offerings – including data platforms like Scan Advantage – can make it easier to use consumer insights and analytics for better assortment and promotional planning during high-volume seasons.

“UNFI Professional Services has been a game changer for us,” said Emily Brown, Store Manager, Catherine’s Market. “Scan Advantage gives us the insight we need to align our operations and product mix with seasonal trends and consumer preferences. It helps us stay ahead of what they’re looking for, whether it’s national brands or ideas we can translate into our house-made bakery and deli offerings.”

Honoring Outstanding Suppliers

At the Holiday and Winter Selling Show, UNFI honored 31 supplier brand partners across 15 unique categories in its second annual Supplier Circle of Excellence Awards. The awards recognize suppliers for excellence in brand performance, category leadership, product innovation, and more.

“This year’s Supplier Circle of Excellence Award winners represent the best of our industry, and we’re proud to recognize their meaningful contributions,” said Sandy Douglas, UNFI CEO. “Their leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence in an increasingly competitive market is defining the future of the consumer-packaged goods and grocery retail industries.”

UNFI recognized the following three companies with the highest Circle of Excellence award, Supplier of the Year:

• Impact Supplier of the Year – Chobani
• Broad Market Supplier of the Year – Loisa
• Supplier of the Year – The Hershey Company

“At Chobani, our commitment to our people and our communities runs deep—we live it every day by working with local partners to end hunger,” said Marcin Moscicki, Vice President of Sales at Chobani. “Our partnership with UNFI has helped us extend that impact even further, bringing nutritious food to more communities and making a meaningful difference where it’s needed most.”

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) successfully hosted its fourth Southern Africa Conference on 24 July at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, drawing a vibrant mix of growers, exporters, retailers, and global buyers from across Southern Africa.

The one-day event served as a powerful platform for dialogue, innovation, and connection across the fresh produce supply chain. Designed to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in Southern Africa, the programme spanned global market trends, export logistics, consumer behaviour, and sustainability through technology.

“The Southern Africa Conference is where global strategy meets local action,” said Jessica Keller, Vice President of Global Industry Relations at IFPA. “The energy and insight shared here in Pretoria reflect the strength of Southern Africa’s fresh produce community – and its readiness to lead on the world stage.”

Key Highlights from the 2025 Conference:

State of the Industry: 

In a standout session which closed the conference, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, made remarks on global trade pressures, including concerns about U.S. tariffs on South African exports and their broader economic impact. He also emphasised the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable agricultural growth in South Africa.

Global Market Insights: 

Featured speakers included:

• Patrick Vizzone, Vertical Oceans/DiMuto
• Relebohile Ramosoeu, Euromonitor International
• Shubha Rawal, IG International, India
• Nico van Schalkwyk, Fruitalyst South Africa

Experts in this session explored shifting consumer preferences across North America and India – offering exporters valuable insights for navigating evolving demand.

Export Readiness and Logistics: 

Featured speakers included:

• Steve Alaerts, Foodcareplus Logistics NV
• Werner van Rooyen, Fresh Produce Exporters Forum

Speakers emphasised the importance of aligning local practices with global expectations and called for renewed focus on the European Union as a strategic export market.

Tech & Innovation: 

In this session, IFPA Chief Science Officer Dr. Max Teplitski highlighted emerging technologies that are helping drive operational efficiency, sustainability, and food safety throughout the supply chain.

“Our industry is evolving rapidly, and this event helps ensure we evolve together,” said Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of RSA Group and Chairperson of the IFPA South Africa Country Council. “The conversations we had – from logistics to market access – will help shape a more connected, competitive, and resilient future for Southern African producers.”

With good participation and strong momentum, the 2025 Southern Africa Conference underscored IFPA’s ongoing role in shaping the future of the global fresh produce industry through advocacy, education, and innovation.

For more information, visit: https://www.freshproduce.com/events/the-southern-africa-conference 

BENSON, NC - The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI), the US Sweet Potato Council, and the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC), including the broader agricultural community, mourn the loss of Johnny Barnes, a beloved husband, father, leader, innovator, and tireless advocate for North Carolina agriculture. Barnes, 61, passed away on July 12, 2025, after complications from a recent illness.

A lifelong resident of Spring Hope, Barnes dedicated his life to farming and family, playing a pivotal role in the growth of North Carolina’s sweetpotato industry through his leadership at Barnes Farming Corporation and Farm Pak Products. He was a driving force behind the company’s success, helping to position it as one of the largest sweet potato operations in the world.

Barnes' passion for farming extended beyond production. He was a founding force behind many sweetpotato initiatives that shaped market growth, export expansion, and advocacy for North Carolina growers. He worked tirelessly with industry groups and policymakers to protect and promote the interests of farmers in the state, region, and nation, always doing so with a commitment to integrity. Notably, Johnny recognized the opportunity to help form and lead the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI) in 2014 and served as its president until the spring of 2025. This organization helps promote the national industry in introducing and marketing the world’s premium sweetpotatoes across the globe.

“Johnny was more than a grower—he was a visionary who helped elevate North Carolina sweetpotatoes onto the global stage,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission. “His legacy lives in the fields he stewarded, the people he mentored, and the standards of excellence he set for our entire industry. He was not just respected, he was loved.

“Johnny was a man of quiet strength and unwavering values,” said Jose “Pepe” Calderon, sales manager at Farm Pak. “He believed in doing things the right way, not the easy way. Every person who worked with him learned something about dedication, patience, and pride in their work. While his absence leaves a deep void, his impact will be felt for generations. We are thankful that Johnny’s son, Josh Barnes, will continue his father’s legacy by leading Barnes Farming Corporation and carrying forward his father’s vision for innovation and stewardship in agriculture.”

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Barnes was known for his deep love of family, his generosity, and his strong faith. He is survived by his wife, North Carolina State Senator Lisa Stone Barnes, their children Bethany (Grayson), Josh (Rachel), and Jacy (Charlie), four grandchildren, his loving mother, Maxine (Norman), beloved niece, Brittany (Ryan) and countless extended family members, friends, and colleagues across the industry.

The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute, the US Sweet Potato Council, and the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission extend their deepest condolences to the Barnes family and all who had the honor of working alongside him. Johnny Barnes’ legacy is etched in the rich soil of North Carolina and the global recognition of the state’s signature crop.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Ridgecrest Worship Center, Rocky Mount, NC. A visitation will be held the day before, Saturday, July 19, from 3:30 PM-5:00 PM. Flowers are accepted, or donations can be made to: The Johnny Barnes Foundation for Medical Research: First Carolina Bank, 171 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

BENTONVILLE, AR - Some executive changes are currently underway at Walmart as the company amplifies its focus on accelerating innovation through AI. In a recent LinkedIn post, President and Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon announced the creation of two new leadership roles: Executive Vice President, AI Acceleration, Product and Design and EVP, AI Platforms.

“Today we announced the creation of two new leadership roles with the goal of accelerating innovation across Walmart - moving smarter and faster, putting AI and world class product management and design at the center of everything we do,” the LinkedIn post read. “This window of opportunity to apply artificial intelligence and become even more tech-powered, while still being people-led, is unique.”

Daniel Danker will take on the EVP, AI Acceleration, Product and Design role, created to accelerate Walmart’s AI transformation and lead all product management and design across the enterprise.

“Artificial intelligence is changing how we work. I look forward to working with Daniel and seeing how these changes strengthen our business and improve experiences for our customers, members, and fellow associates,” McMillon said in the post.

The new EVP, AI Platforms will report to Suresh Kumar. As McMillon’s announcement shared, this visionary role will help Walmart build the future with AI, increasing productivity, speed, and innovation.

Keep reading ANUK as we continue to report on the rapidly evolving tech landscape and how our industry is using it to their advantage.

TEXAS - More expansion plans have been revealed in H-E-B’s growth blueprint as the retailer unveils two new locations in the works. Shortly after pulling back the curtain on plans for its first Denton, Texas, location, the company has announced another Denton store, along with a new location in Sherman.

H-E-B has started the permit process with the city to build a second Denton store at the northeast corner of University Drive and Bonnie Brae Street, KERA News reported. Construction on the 119,000-square-foot store is set to begin in spring 2026.

This expansion follows the announcement of H-E-B’s first grocery store in Denton on a 20-acre site at the northwest corner of Interstate 35W and Robson Ranch Road.

Further expanding the grocer’s footprint, another store is set to open in Sherman, where the chain has confirmed plans to develop a nearly 20-acre site along FM 1417 into a future store location, Herald Democrat reported.

“H-E-B recently purchased 19.809 acres located near the northwest quadrant of the intersection of FM 1417 and US 75 located in Sherman,” H-E-B Public Affairs Representative Mabrie Jackson said in a statement to the source. “There is no construction date set, however we look forward to serving more Texans in the coming years.”

ANUK will continue to monitor the grocer’s ambitious expansion plan, so stay tuned.