UNFI Connects on the Future of Retail and Sustainability at Expo West

March 7, 2025           5 minute read

UNFI is proud of the role we play as a connector in the food industry. Events like Natural Products Expo West – one of the leading annual gatherings of food retailers, suppliers and distributors – offer a chance to participate in important conversations about the future of our industry. During this year’s Expo West show, we participated in several panels aimed at positioning our partners for future success. These sessions focused on two themes: Key trends driving the future of retail in 2025 and how organizations can leverage sustainability to advance business goals.  

What Does the Future of Retail Hold?

UNFI's VP of Strategic Business Intelligence, Nick Walker, participated in the Future of Retail panel with NIQ. Nick shared insights around UNFI’s work on a few key fronts: 

• Harnessing opportunities around digital touchpoints in both online and in-store experiences 

• Helping partners identify the right audiences and distribution strategies  

• Navigating shifting consumer and regulatory dynamics around wellness and functional products 

Nick said, “The future of retail isn’t online or in-store – it’s everywhere. For brands and UNFI’s retailers, winning in an omnichannel world means creating seamless, values-driven experiences wherever consumers shop.”  

Sustainability and Driving Business Growth

Another focus for UNFI was exploring ways organizations can navigate sustainability initiatives and climate goals to drive meaningful business growth. UNFI convened a climate summit, which included an industry panel, UNFI presentation, small group discussions, and key takeaways with nearly 100 participants representing 49 organizations in attendance. 

The panel – Partnering for Progress: Innovative Supply Chain Collaborations on Climate Action – was moderated by Courtney Pineau, Executive Director at Climate Collaborative. Panelists included: 

• Nijia Zhou, Principal Climate Advisor, Whole Foods Market 

• Ethan Soloviev, Chief Innovation Officer, HowGood 

• Kendrick Repko, Director Sustainable Products, Ahold Delhaize USA 

The panel featured deeper discussions on real-world supply chain partnerships aligned with climate goals and opportunities for organizations to increase supply chain resiliency, drive product quality and innovation, and differentiate themselves in the marketplace.  

Alisha Real, VP of Sustainability and Impact at UNFI, said, “We are focused on leveraging the unique role UNFI plays in the industry to build deeper partnerships with suppliers and retailers to collectively drive climate action and add value to their businesses.” 

Our stakeholder-focused sustainability strategy has long been a part of UNFI's success, unlocking efficiencies through collaboration across the value chain. It is also key to our company purpose: Better Food. Better Future.