Inside UNFI’s Professional Services Booth: Practical Tools to Elevate the Retail Experience
July 16, 2025 3 minute read
Grocery retail is evolving fast and in today’s competitive landscape, differentiation requires more than just an eclectic product mix. UNFI’s Professional Services team is helping retailers remain competitive and stand out with targeted solutions that enhance the in-store experience, improve operations, and drive measurable results.
At the UNFI Holiday & Winter Selling Show in Las Vegas, the Professional Services team highlighted two retailer-focused collaborations designed to boost operational efficiency and enhance customer engagement.
Self-order kiosks enable consumers to browse, customize, and order at their own pace, streamlining service in high-traffic departments like deli, bakery, and prepared foods. Launched in collaboration with Nanonation, some retailers have reported up to 30% greater operational efficiency since installing the kiosks1, allowing staff to provide more personalized customer service and focus on high-impact tasks. The self-order kiosks are ideal for the high-traffic holiday season and beyond, making them a valuable investment for managing peak periods and maintaining service quality year-round.
The Ink’d Greeting Card Kiosk was on display on the tradeshow floor, blending experiential retail with everyday value. With 90% of U.S. households buying greeting cards annually – averaging approximately 30 cards per home2 – this turnkey solution offers retailers a powerful way to turn a routine visit into a memorable, value-added experience. All this while also maximizing valuable floor space and freeing up room for high-margin products. By inviting shoppers to create custom cards on the spot, the kiosk boosts engagement, drives incremental purchases, and increases basket size – especially during the holidays when customers seek meaningful, personalized gifts with an emotional connection.
“Our mission is to equip retailers with meaningful tools that drive engagement, boost efficiency, and create lasting value,” said Matt Eckhouse, UNFI President of Digital and Professional Services. “It’s about delivering solutions that meet real needs, both on the store floor and behind the scenes.”
With more innovations on the horizon, the Professional Services team continues to explore smart, simple ways to help retailers thrive.
Learn more about UNFI’s Professional Services offerings https://services.unfi.com.
1 Stephens, C. (2024, October 18). Maximise operational efficiency and cut costs with self-service kiosks
2 Greeting Card Association. Facts & Stats 2019. September 25, 2019