Service Level Updates
We thank you for your partnership and appreciate the difficulties that these unprecedented times have created. We want to work closely with our Supplier partners to find solutions to service level issues for our mutual customers. Please provide constant communication on shortages to your SRM, your Buyer, and the Supplier Pandemic Planning (supplierpandemicplanning@unfi.com) alias. There is no such thing as over communicating, and you do not have to wait to be asked for updates. Here are some tremendously valuable subjects you should keep UNFI aware of:- Brands/Items of Concern
- Consistent updates should include issues your company is facing in production, a plan of action, and a full recovery date. This is valuable information for both UNFI and our mutual customers.
- Long Term Out of Stock Items
- UNFI defines Long Term Out of Stock (LTOOS) items as those that cannot be purchased for four weeks or more.
- Seasonal Items
- Please provide information on items that typically receive a significant spike in sales for holiday months. Are you able to provide the same amount of these products as in previous years? Less? More? These order windows are right around the corner. Also, please let us know if you have any other seasonal items that could be a good fit for UNFI.
- Creative Solutions
- These could take the form of greater order lead times, fewer and larger orders, or standing orders for shipment as soon as product may be available.
- Provide lists of items that UNFI may not carry or may not carry extensively where you have a lot of inventory.
The landscape is constantly shifting, and we need to shift with it as quickly as possible. These shifts are easier to accomplish with creative and collaborative thinking.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Updates
An updated list of UNFI Supplier Relationship Managers (SRMs), contact info, line, and category assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.Procurement Team Updates
An updated list of UNFI Procurement Team contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.Accounts Payable (AP) Updates
An updated list of AP contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.Sales Team Contact Updates
An updated list of Sales Team contacts can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.Customer Portal Search Term Program
We are excited to share a new marketing vehicle here at UNFI, the Customer Portal Search Term Program. It’s incredibly simple. Your brand “owns” a search term on the Customer Portal for at least one quarter. When that term is searched on the Customer Portal, a banner ad of your choosing will pop up and the first three SKUs listed will be yours.The Customer Portal has 65,000 unique, active accounts with 70% of them being Independent stores.
Response data is provided at the end of the ad run. This includes total impressions, clicks, and percentage of increased activity to your product listing page as well as percentage of increased sales through the portal.
Reach out to Aaron May at amay@unfi.com to discuss setting your brand up for success using the Customer Portal Search Term Program.
Post COVID19 Marketing Strategy
At the height of the COVID19 pandemic, many Suppliers pulled back on promotions in order to keep up with the incredible demand triggered by altered consumer behavior. We now are happy to debut three new programs to help Suppliers quickly engage in marketing programs.Rapid Deals
This new program is similar to our Monthly Specials program. It uses the same format, minus the images. Customers will receive an e-mail each month of the items that are on deal. These discounts will also be listed on our Customer Portal. Deals must be submitted at least eight weeks in advance.48 Hour Deals
This bi-weekly program helps move your product to Retailers’ shelves using a very strong deal. This program has averaged lifts that exceed 200%.E-mail Marketing
Our E-mail Marketing helps Suppliers quickly get the word out to Customers regarding news like pack changes, being back in stock, offering deals, and other news that could be helpful to the Retail community.For more information on these programs, please contact your SRM.
UNFI Logistics Services
UNFI Logistics Services are available to our entire Supplier community, both Natural and Conventional. We have sixty experienced associates located from coast to coast that are focused on moving product from Suppliers into every distribution center. Our team is in constant contact with carriers, purchasing, and our warehouses to ensure safe and timely deliveries.What are the benefits of utilizing UNFI Logistics?
- We take ownership of your products at the time of pickup
- We pay all unloading/lumper and appointment fees
- We have standing appointments at all our warehouses
- We have cross-country partnerships with best-in-class carriers
- We use state-of-the-art technology to schedule and track your shipment
- UNFI Logistics implements the fastest and most efficient route to move freight, taking advantage of many different options, from UNFI’s private fleet, our dedicated crossdock network, or one of several contracted carriers
Getting started is simple. If you are interested in finding out more details, please e-mail Jonathan Wik at LogisticsServices@unfi.com.
