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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – United Natural Foods Inc. is launching a first-of-its-kind Retail Media Network for independent and regional grocery retailers across the United States. The UNFI Media Network (UMN) is powered by Swiftly, a leading provider of innovative retail technology, tools, and solutions. The move is intended to bring cutting-edge retail technology solutions to UNFI’s extensive network of more than 30,000 retail customer locations and approximately 11,000 brand partners, helping them compete in an increasingly digital-first world.
“UNFI’s partnership with Swiftly is formidable, offering an innovative solution to power both enterprise and independent grocer technology and retail media,” UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas says. “UMN enables UNFI’s retail customers and suppliers to better compete in today’s retail marketplace, with an increasingly digital focus. We believe UMN, powered by Swiftly, will help us create compelling and sustainable value for our customers, suppliers, and shareholders.”
The company says that UMN combines UNFI’s expansive scale and breadth of supplier offerings with Swiftly’s advanced technology platform, personalization engine, closed-loop reporting, and analytics capabilities. The goal of UMN is to empower UNFI’s retail customers to connect more meaningfully and personally with their consumers while simultaneously providing unique opportunities for UNFI suppliers to showcase their brands and build their brand equity. It is designed to enable retailers to reach their shoppers digitally while connecting to the industry’s largest collection of suppliers, who in turn, can take advantage of this platform to more effectively market directly to shoppers through the retailers in the network.
“We are thrilled to be pioneering a new chapter in the independent grocery retail channel alongside industry leader, UNFI,” Swiftly CEO Henry Kim says. “Over the years, Swiftly has earned a stellar reputation amongst key brands and retailers for its turnkey, industry-leading technology and proven success helping partners digitally transform their businesses. Leveraging Swiftly’s advanced technology platform, UMN will enable brands to reach tens of millions of consumers across the U.S. Additionally, retailers will gain access to the content provided by UNFI’s approximately 11,000 brand partners, enhancing their offerings, and driving engagement with consumers. Together, we are positioned to build one of the leading retail media networks in the U.S., one that is dedicated to ensuring the growth and success of today’s independent and regional grocers.”
UNFI president of wholesale Louis Martin said UNFI’s partnership with Swiftly is off to a strong start.
“We are already engaged with many of our customers and brand partners about the value we can bring to their businesses,” Martin says. “UMN represents a new chapter in UNFI’s ongoing commitment to support the sustainable growth of all those that we serve.”
