Providence, RI: United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) and Whole Foods Market have amended their primary distribution agreement to extend the term of the agreement for an additional seven years.
Under the terms of the amended agreement, UNFI will continue to serve as the primary wholesale natural grocery distributor to Whole Foods Market in those United States regions where UNFI currently serves as the primary distributor.
This new agreement amends and extends an existing seven-year primary distribution agreement that was not scheduled to expire until September 25, 2013, to September 25, 2020.
"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket," says Steven Spinner, president and CEO, UNFI. "This amendment reflects the continued evolution of our relationship and secures distribution with our largest customer for the next decade.
"Extending the term of our Whole Foods Market distribution agreement provides UNFI with a platform to continue to grow our market share in specialty foods and organics, as well as invest in our infrastructure. Over the next three years, we will continue to enhance our national warehouse management systems in order to improve customer service and efficiency," says Spinner.
"We look forward to capitalizing on the tremendous growth opportunities that exist in the industry as a whole, as well as helping Whole Foods Market, as it implements its strategy for growth."
"Whole Foods Market is pleased to extend our long-term relationship with United Natural Foods," says Walter Robb, co-chief executive officer, Whole Foods Market. "Having a long-term primary distribution partner is an important element of our growth strategy, as it allows us to concentrate our capital and resources over the next decade on growing and improving our store base while focusing our internal distribution efforts around key perishable departments.
"We continue to seek opportunities to enhance the strategic partnership between UNFI and Whole Foods Market."
