Louis Martin Talks Value Creation and Industry Leadership at Grocery Impact Conference
November 8, 2024 5 minute read
Louis Martin, UNFI’s President of Wholesale and Progressive Grocer’s Editor-in-Chief, Gina Acosta on stage at the Grocery Impact Conference.
This week, Louis Martin, UNFI’s President of Wholesale, sat down with Progressive Grocer’s Editor-in-Chief, Gina Acosta, at the Grocery Impact Conference in Orlando. In a fireside chat, Louis and Gina discussed UNFI’s new strategy, aimed at creating value for customers and suppliers, and how UNFI’s core values are guiding the company as our associates strive to deliver better food and create a better future for all stakeholders.
Here are a few key takeaways from the conversation:
On UNFI’s Strategy: Louis said, “our new strategy is focused on two big things: adding value and becoming a more efficient partner for our customers and suppliers. We are working to provide a differentiated set of products, programs, and services that help our partners effectively compete, while optimizing our business model to serve them as efficiently as possible.”
On Customer Value: Louis highlighted the value that retail media networks can bring to all stakeholders in the value chain, from suppliers to retailers to shoppers. He said, “we see the UNFI Media Network as a real game-changer. It will enable UNFI’s customers to have the digital solutions and access to customer data that the big-box mass retailers have.”
On Supplier Value: To help suppliers grow their brands, Louis highlighted programs like UNFI Insights and UpNext Accelerator. “We have 320 suppliers in UpNext right now,” he said, “and we are seeing them really benefit from our educational bootcamps and our Pitch Slam events at our selling shows.”
On People & Culture: “We’re a people business. In addition to a great strategy, people leadership is essential to creating a better future for our stakeholders.” He emphasized that an inclusive, winning culture is linked to business performance, highlighting initiatives like the Belonging and Innovation Groups (BIGs), the Driver Ambassador Program, and the company’s annual Circle of Excellence awards for high performers.
On Industry Leadership: Louis said UNFI is using its unique vantage point within its large community of customers and suppliers to shape industry-wide viewpoints on important legislation and regulations, as well as issues like sustainability and social impact. For example, UNFI partnered with the NGA to develop an ‘easy-to-follow resource’ to help independent grocers and distributors with compliance and implementation of the future Food Traceability Rule 204. UNFI’s CEO, Sandy Douglas, is also a leader within the FMI Board of Directors Executive Committee.
On Sustainability: UNFI is focused on six sustainability and social impact focus areas, including climate, sourcing, safety, community, waste, well-being and belonging. And it’s not just about UNFI’s efforts – the company is working to create a better food system across every part of the supply chain. “We’re creating tools like the Climate Action Hub and our Climate Action Partnership to help our supply chain partners manage their own climate impacts and make a bigger collective difference.”
Please click here to read Progressive Grocer's recap of Louis' chat with Gina.