Sandy Douglas Discusses the Future of Grocery at Grocery Impact 2025
November 7, 2025 5 minute read
At Progressive Grocer’s 2025 Grocery Impact conference, UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas joined a fireside chat with Editorial Director Gina Acosta about the future of grocery – and how retailers, suppliers and wholesalers can best prepare for what’s next. In a candid conversation, Douglas shared how UNFI is building capabilities to help retailers and suppliers more effectively compete in a rapidly evolving, intensely competitive landscape.
Here are a few key takeaways from the conversation.
On UNFI’s Role in the Food Retail Industry
Douglas reinforced that UNFI’s purpose and commitment to shared value creation is guiding the company’s strategy and actions now and in the future.
UNFI strives to become the industry’s most valued partner. That means becoming more than a food distribution partner – rather, a total supply chain, insights, services, and solutions partner that helps retailers grow profitably and helps suppliers successfully build and scale their brands.
On Disruptive Grocery Industry Trends
Douglas described how shifting consumer expectations, accelerating innovation, and rising share consolidation are creating an intensely competitive environment. UNFI is focused on helping grocers differentiate themselves from the competition through better, special and different products, merchandising strategies and shopping experiences.
On Investing in Innovation
It’s critical to be thoughtful about innovation and long-term investments, Douglas said, especially given current margin pressures and cost headwinds. UNFI is focused on prioritizing innovation that will drive the highest return on investment and the highest benefit to its partners – from innovation within private brand assortment, to the digital services offered, to automation solutions in supply chain operations.
On Sustainability
Douglas noted that when done right, sustainability benefits businesses, people, and the planet. UNFI’s sustainability goals focus on improving efficiency across operations while reducing the company’s environmental footprint. Many of UNFI’s retail and supplier partners share similar sustainability goals, and the company believes it can partner to make a bigger impact.
On Supply Chain Technology
Douglas reinforced that advanced technology is shaping, and will continue to shape, the future of grocery. UNFI believes the most effective and efficient supply chains run on a foundation of strong technology AND strong processes. This means making thoughtful investments in next-generation technology solutions and advanced processes like Lean that empower associates to drive better service levels.
On the Future of the Industry
Acosta challenged Douglas to make “one bold bet” on the future of grocery in the next five years.
He noted differentiated grocers deeply understand their shoppers and are raising the bar with locally relevant, high-quality product assortments, engaging environments and services, and frictionless shopping experiences – all brought to life by inspired and dedicated associates.
His prediction is that these grocers will outpace industry growth and become the best practice for future generations of grocery leaders to follow.