From the Marketing Team
Thank you for choosing to partner with us at UNFI Canada. Our mission is to help you build your brand and grow your business, which is why we created our Advertising Program.
The main goal of our program is simple, use our 30 years of industry experience to get your brand noticed and ultimately increase your sales. We have developed strong retailer relationships across Canada, and we communicate in many different ways with Monthly Specials, Email Advertising, Tradeshows, and more. These touchpoints create opportunities for your brand to be highlighted and get noticed by retailers.
We have crafted the following advertising opportunities in this book with ROI in mind and we hope you find a program that fits your brand's needs. We are always here to help you so feel free to reach out to us at marketingcanada@unfi.com.
Capturing ROI
WE HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR BURNING QUESTION
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WHAT IS THE ROI?
Marketing budgets are tight in the CPG world and we knew we needed to provide real ROI statistics for your brand. Over the past year we have completed case studies for over 30 brands that advertised with us. We looked at sales data before the ad, during the ad, and after the ad, in order to calculate our average sales lift. Throughout this book, we will provide average ROI percentage data that is dependent upon these case studies. We promise to continue delving deeper into ROI over the next year so we can refine our accuracy and give you the answers you need when spending your marketing budget with us.
Monthly Specials
Monthly Specials are a publication for promotions offered by our brands to over 3,700 independent retailers. Your ad will spotlight your brand to buyers and highlight your promotion in order to help influence their purchasing and get your products on shelf.
Ways to promote your brand in Monthly Specials: Full page ads
Premium ad space on inside front or back covers
Fresh to Market ad - great for showcasing new products! In the Spotlight ad - great for highlighting your products in the theme of the month
YOUR AD YOUR PROMOTION YOUR PRODUCT ON SHELF
38% SALES INCREASE WITH A FULL PAGE AD*
MONTHLY SPECIALS THEMES + DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION DATES
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body New Year’s / Chinese New Year
Superbowl / Valentines Black History Month
Themes flow throughout our specials in order to aid retailers in their purchasing decisions. If your brand or products fit into a specific theme, this is a great opportunity to run your promotions and book your advertising.
We continue to push for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in our business practices and this year we are featuring important dates in our specials. If you feel your brand is related to one of these dates, please let us know for a special inclusion.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
National Nutrition Month
International Women's Day / Ramadan / Holi
Earth Appreciation Easter / Passover
Gluten-free / Plant-based Cinco de Mayo / Asian Heritage Month / Dragon Boat
Gourmet BBQ
Pride Month / National Indigenous Peoples Day
Canada Day
Back to School
Organic Month
Fairtrade Month / Comfort Food
Thanksgiving / Halloween / OctoberFest / Islamic Histry Month / Rosh Hashanah
Healthy Fats
Remembrance Day / Diwali
DECEMBER
Holiday Celebrations Christmas / Hannukah / Kwanzaa
Get a free myUNFI ad with every catalogue ad booking for a combined sales lift of 20%.*
Quarterly Catalogues
Over 2,300 retailers seek these catalogues out to review everything UNFI Canada has to offerand this makes them perfect to advertise your brand! Ways to Advertise: Full page ad
Feature in our ‘Fresh to Market’ section of new products
Promote in our ‘In the Spotlight’ section of featured brands
Cheese Catalogue
1000+ RETAILERS
6000+ IMPRESSIONS
06:51 AVERAGE READ TIME
Annually published in September, our cheese catalogue is beloved by our retailers.
Promote your brand with a full page ad among a handpicked assortment of cheese products and other charcuterie board accompaniments.
Catalogue includes product images and details alongside your full page ad.
B2B
Let us do what we do best - B2B advertising. Trade marketing bridges the gap between brand strategy and consumer purchase, making it an indispensable tool for achieving long-term success in the marketplace. By advertising through UNFI Canada, you will leverage our existing relationships with retailers and ensure that your products receive the visibility and shelf space they deserve.
Grocery Business reaches over 9,400 industry professionals through their eNewsletter and almost 40,000 monthly visitors on their website.
We have partnered with Grocery Business Magazine to develop a custom partnership that offers UNFI vendors a new advertising concept plus added value and discounts!
Pitch It, List It revolutionizes how brands connect with industry decision-makers.
Craft a compelling 2-minute pitch, showcasing your unique concepts, and watch it reach an extensive audience through the Grocery Business website for 30 days. Your pitch will also be spotlighted in their newsletter, ensuring maximum exposure to retailers, brokers, and other influential figures in the industry.
Book a print ad in the 2025 Tradeshow Edition with exclusive UNFI Canada vendor pricing on full, half or quarter page ads.
Deadline to book is May 31 2025.
117% AVERAGE SALES INCREASE WITH A DIGITAL BANNER AD*
Email Marketing
Everyone knows - the world is going digital. We offer email marketing options to get your brand directly in the inboxes of over 2,200 retail buyers.
NEW - Digital Banner Ad Bundle
Your one digital banner ad will run five times within one month Once in our NewsFEED communication Four times in our FreshlyPicked communication
Exclusive Email Campaign Dedicated e-blast only highlighting your brand sent directly to our independent retailer list
75% AVERAGE SALES INCREASE WITH AN EXCLUSIVE EMAIL CAMPAIGN*
Advertise where retailers shop online.
Brands saw a 17% lift with a myUNFI banner ad* and a 2.4% lift with a custom brand page (over 12 months).
Custom Brand Page
Take your digital presence further with a dedicated custom brand page. This custom built page is your own space on myUNFI, designed to showcase your entire product portfolio, highlight special promotions, and tell your brand story. With interactive features and detailed product information, a custom brand page engages retailers more deeply and increases the likelihood of repeat orders
myUNFI is UNFI Canada's online ordering platform used by over 2,700 independent retailers. Advertise to buyers when it countswhen they're placing their product orders Gain repeat impressions on your ad - retailers order on average 8,800+ times per month across Canada
Banner Ads
Positioned on key pages of the myUNFI platform, these ads ensure your products are seen by retailers at the moment they're building their orders. This high-visibility placement helps keep your brand top-of-mind and drives conversion rates. With flexible scheduling, you can align your banner ads with seasonal promotions or product launches to maximize impact
ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD INFORMATION COUNCIL, WHEN ASKED WHAT INFLUENCES A CONSUMER'S DECISION TO PURCHASE A FOOD PRODUCT IN 2023, TASTE REMAINS THE TOP CONSIDERATION, AND PRICE IS THE SECOND CONSIDERATION.
HEALTHINESS, CONVENIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY ROUND OUT THE TOP FIVE CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PURCHASING FOOD. INNOVATING TO MEET THESE CONSUMER DEMANDS WILL DRIVE GROWTH FOR YOUR BRAND IN 2024.
UNFI Canada trucks are rolling billboards seen by millions of consumers across the country.
81k
CUSTOMER STOPS PER YEAR
Run your branded truck wrap for 12 months in the region of your choice.
EXHIBIT WITH UNFI CANADA
CHFA NOW
Gain premium exposure in the high-visibility UNFI Pavilion. Feature your products in chefcrafted treats in our Snack Shack. Network with the UNFI team and industry leaders during our cocktail hour.
Leverage our sales team to maximize your CHFA experience.
CHFA NOW Vancouver 2025 April 26 & 27, 2025
CHFA NOW Toronto 2025 September 20 & 21, 2025
Innovation Showcase
Discover the latest trends in the natural food industry and gain valuable insights
Showcase your brand's innovation to retailers
Network with our sales team and connect with industry leaders
Explore new opportunities to elevate your brand in retail
Our annual June event has a new month - join us in the new year on January 29 2025.
REGISTER NOW
Reporting
Stay on top of your business with weekly reporting updates.
Your Weekly Sales Reports:
Emailed every Tuesday
Year-to-Date (YTD) data for this year and last year
Full year’s data when you sign up
Your Weekly Inventory Reports:
Emailed every Wednesday afternoon
Current inventory status
Your Brand Benefits: Quick, actionable insights
Compare year-over-year performance
Spot distribution gaps and trends
Track fill rates and customer orders
GS1
Stay compliant and optimize your brand with GS1 consulting!
Your Services:
Designate us as your GS1 Agent—we’ll handle issues via your GS1 ProSYNC account.
Ensure your GS1 images are updated with the latest product details and nutrition facts.
Your Brand Benefits:
Retailer compliance of inventory and sales tracking.
Supply chain efficiency with accurate UPCs, reducing errors and costs in order fulfillment and shipping.
Regulatory compliance, meeting strict product ID and traceability rules in regulated industries.
E-commerce ready portfolio, making it simple for listing on major e-commerce platforms, boosting online visibility.
Contact gs1inquiries@unfi.com to sign up.
Connect directly with our sales teams nationwide!
Your Training Includes:
20-minute sessions per region (15 min presentation + 5 min Q&A)
Presentation shared with the entire Sales Team
Your Presentation Can Highlight: New product launches
Marketing initiatives
Emerging and trending category exploration
Seasonal relevance and supplier diversity
Important brand change announcements
Complete this form and submit to eventscanada@unfi.com.
Discover the ProConnect program, connecting you with industry experts to promote your brand.
The companies featured here are experts offering valuable services to CPG brands, especially in the natural industry.
Many of our partners offer exclusive promotions and discounts to UNFI Canada vendors. For a personal introduction, contact your SRM. If you reach out directly, please mention UNFI Canada. For more information on our partners and the program, please read our full brochure here
ProConnect
UNFI CANADA PROCONNECT SERVICES
Specs & Deadlines
PUBLICATION ADS
Full Page Ads
Trim 8.25" x 11" Bleed +0.125"
IMPORTANT info should not extend outside
SAFE AREA 7.25" x 10"
0.5” margins/safe space to allow for binding Minimum 300dpi
PDF or JPEG
Reduced size (1MB max) PDF copy of your ad in addition to high res print version
Fully bilingual or separate French version
‘In the Spotlight’ and ‘Fresh to Market’ Ads
•High resolution product image(s) and copy, up to a max. of 5 sentences
CREATIVE SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Monthly Specials:
January - September 15 2024
February - October 15 2024
March - November 15 2024
April - December 15 2024
May - January 15 2025
June - February 15 2025
July - March 15 2025
August - April 15 2025
September - May 15 2025
October - June 15 2025
November - July 15 2025
December - August 15 2025
Quarterly Catalogues:
Winter - November 15 2024
Spring - February 15 2025
Summer - May 15 2025
Fall - August 15 2025
Bundle & Save
Improved packages with even more value for the same price as 2024. Book now and enjoy discounted pricing on all future a la carte bookings.
STARTER PACKAGE
3 Monthly Specials Full Page Ads
2 Catalogue Full Page Ads
NEW - Digital Banner Ad Package (incl. 5 newsletter banner ads in 1 month)
ENTREE PACKAGE
2 Monthly Specials Full Page Ads
2 Catalogue Full Page Ads
NEW - 1 Catalogue ‘In the Spotlight’ Ad
NEW - 1 Catalogue ‘Fresh to Market’ Ad
1 myUNFI Home Page Rotator Ad
1 myUNFI Brand Search Page Banner Ad
GOURMET PACKAGE
3 Monthly Specials Full Page Ads
1 Monthly Specials ‘In the Spotlight’ Ad
1 Catalogue Full Page Ad
NEW - 1 Catalogue ‘In the Spotlight’ Ad
NEW - 1 Catalogue ‘Fresh to Market’ Ad
1 myUNFI Home Page Rotator Ad
1 myUNFI Brand Search Page Banner Ad
1 Exclusive Email Campaign
Ad Packages
À La Carte Bookings WITH
AD PACKAGE
ADS
‘Fresh to Market’ Ad
‘In the Spotlight’ Ad
Full Page Single Sided Ad
$215/ad
$350/ad
$1080/ad MONTHLY SPECIALS ADS
Cover - Outside Back
Cover - Inside Front
Cover - Inside Back
$750/ad
$650/ad
$550/ad
‘Fresh to Market’ Ad - New Product Highlight $215/ad
‘In The Spotlight’ Ad - Featured
À La Carte Bookings WITHOUT AD PACKAGE
CATALOGUE ADS
‘Fresh to Market’ Ad
‘In the Spotlight’ Ad
Full Page Single Sided Ad
$280/ad
$465/ad
$1200/ad MONTHLY SPECIALS ADS
Cover - Outside Back
Cover - Inside Front
Cover - Inside Back
$825/ad
$715/ad
$605/ad
‘Fresh to Market’ Ad - New Product Highlight $280/ad
*All ROI statistics are derived from a case study analyzing over 30 brands that advertised with us over the past 12 months.
**Cancellations within 1 month of artwork deadline date will be charged 50% of ad cost. If artwork is not submitted for a booked ad and no cancellation is received 1 month prior, the brand will be charged the full price.