Five Ways UNFI Professional Services Can Help Retailers Save Time, Cut Costs, and Grow

December 18, 2025           6 minute read

Sometimes, simple changes can have a big impact. As retailers look to the year ahead, many are focused on finding ways to stay competitive. Is there an operations pivot that can improve the bottom line? Can a new tool enhance the customer experience?

UNFI Professional Services offers a wide range of solutions designed to support retailers at every stage. Ahead of the 2026 spring and summer selling season, we’re spotlighting five offerings that can help deliver an immediate impact and results. Here’s how grocers are using these services to save money, increase efficiency, and grow their businesses.

Payment Services

Transaction fees are one of the top expenses for retailers. UNFI’s payment service supports more than 4,400 stores and processes approximately 1.2 billion transactions annually, helping retailers manage payments efficiently. In addition to competitive processing at scale, retailers gain access to a dedicated team of payment industry experts who can provide guidance every step of the way. Four out of five retailers who get a free savings analysis switch their payment processing to UNFI.

“We’ve been with UNFI Retail Payments for several years now, and the process to get set up was easy and seamless,” says Adam Williams, Chief Financial Officer at The Turnip Truck. “They also helped us implement enhanced payment security technology, allowing us to better protect our customers and stay ahead of evolving risks.”

Coupon Processing

Coupons are an essential savings tool for many shoppers. UNFI helps simplify and speed up the redemption process for both paper and digital coupons, with reimbursements in as little as seven to 10 days. Today, more than 2,300 stores participate in UNFI’s coupon processing program, with approximately 7.1 million coupons processed annually. The program requires no fees or contracts, offers free prepaid shipping for qualifying stores, and allows retailers to earn at least $0.01 in handling share per coupon.

“UNFI’s coupon processing program has saved us around 4,000 hours of labor each year and reduced our chargebacks by over 80%. That continues to improve each quarter,” says Will Fournier, Controller at Miner’s Inc. Another added bonus is the reporting. We now have more detailed visibility than we did even when we were handling redemptions internally.”

Equipment Procurement

From cooking and refrigeration equipment to lighting and smallwares, UNFI offers more than products – helping to deliver solutions. By using national buying power and deep industry expertise, UNFI helps retailers access the right equipment and services at the best value.

“UNFI’s Equipment Services team has been a trusted partner for almost 10 years,” says Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, CEO of Healthy Living Market. “They’ve helped us source equipment across multiple store builds and saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. Beyond the savings, they’ve brought innovative solutions to the table as we plan and build.”

Digital Coupons

Digital coupons are a defining part of today’s grocery landscape. UNFI helps retailers make the most of them with easy setup, customization, and real-time reporting.

By using this feature, one UNFI retailer saw 79% of its shoppers join its loyalty program, with over 50,000 active members – proof that digital savings really work.

“We’ve saved our shoppers nearly $472,000 through a mix of manufacturer, vendor, and in-house coupons,” says Loren Magante, Loyalty Program Manager at Pay-Less Supermarkets. “We also partnered with UNFI to launch special vendor coupons for Essential Everyday products, which drove 10,000 clips and 22,000 redemptions.”

Scan Advantage

Scan Advantage offers assortment analytics, market trends, and business insights to help retailers run and grow their business more effectively.

“Scan Advantage has helped us make smarter, more targeted product decisions based on real shopper data. Because Catherine’s Market serves a highly seasonal population, regional insights are key,” says Emily Brown, Store Manager at Catherine’s Market. “This tool shows us what’s trending in the areas our customers come from, so we can stock products they already know and love, and eliminate what isn’t moving. It also supports stronger category management. Whether it’s salty snacks, cleaning products, or pet food, Scan Advantage helps us spot assortment gaps and stay aligned with trends.”

Want to learn how these core services can support your business? Explore our full range of Professional Services.