UNFI Highlights 5 Key Grocery Trends for 2026 Spring Season

Distributor's annual show spotlights private label growth, gut health focus, and evolving protein demands.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) brought over 3,400 retailers and suppliers to its Spring and Summer Selling Show in Orlando to examine five major trends reshaping grocery retail, including the rise of private label products, the growing emphasis on gut health, the evolving role of protein, the influence of weight management medications, and the continued importance of value and convenience for shoppers.

Why it matters

As a leading grocery distributor, UNFI's insights into emerging consumer behaviors and product demands can help retailers better prepare their product assortments, merchandising, and marketing strategies for the upcoming spring and summer selling seasons.

The details

UNFI showcased nearly 50 new private label products at the event, spanning categories from healthy snacking to high-protein and fiber-rich options. The distributor also highlighted the growing consumer focus on digestive wellness, with eight in 10 shoppers now considering gut health important. Additionally, UNFI noted that protein's applications have expanded beyond athletic performance to everyday nutrition, satiety, and metabolic health, while the rising use of GLP-1 weight management medications is reshaping nutritional priorities. Lastly, UNFI emphasized that economic pressures continue to influence purchase decisions, driving both private label growth and demand for innovative national brands that justify premium pricing.

  • UNFI's Spring and Summer Selling Show took place on February 10-12, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

The players

UNFI

United Natural Foods Inc. is a leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada.

Louis Martin

President of conventional grocery products and chief commercial officer at UNFI.

Saj Kahn

EVP and CMO at Nugget Market Inc.

Luke Ledyard

VP of sales and distribution for Halfday.

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What they’re saying

“As the grocery industry rapidly evolves, UNFI is focused on helping retailers identify and scale emerging trends across our broad network of suppliers. 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.”

— Louis Martin, President of conventional grocery products and chief commercial officer at UNFI (theshelbyreport.com)

“Serving our community means leaning into emerging trends and evolving with our shoppers' needs. 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.”

— Saj Kahn, EVP and CMO at Nugget Market Inc. (theshelbyreport.com)

“Halfday Prebiotic Iced Tea is ushering in a new era of iced tea with low sugar, gut-healthy, and functional benefits while keeping the classic iced tea taste you know and love. UNFI's UpNext program has provided incredible value as we work to scale our business and introduce more consumers to the benefits of Halfday.”

— Luke Ledyard, VP of sales and distribution for Halfday (theshelbyreport.com)

What’s next

UNFI plans to continue partnering with retailers to identify and scale emerging trends, offering compelling value, unique product assortments, innovative merchandising programs, and services to help grocers stand out in the competitive marketplace.

The takeaway

UNFI's insights into key grocery trends, including the rise of private label, the focus on gut health, the evolving role of protein, the influence of weight management medications, and the importance of value and convenience, can help retailers adapt their strategies to meet the evolving needs and preferences of today's shoppers.