If you would like to learn more about any of the following retail programs, e-mail Center Store, or call: (206) 767-8875.

AIM
AIM (Advantages in Merchandising) drives best cost of product to retail by involving the combined promotional purchasing power of hundreds of participating stores. All of the ad groups work together to focus purchase power on a limited number of monthly promotions. The power of the group working together as one, produces the best cost. AIM enables retailers to present a lower price image while maintaining a strong market position, with efficient merchandising and planning, better inventory turns and improved profitability.

CPAC
CPAC (Centralized Promotional Action Committee) is a retail driven initiative that unifies the promotion and advertising efforts of key ad groups. Its purpose is to streamline the process of allocating vendor promotional funding to all participating ad groups. CPAC brings efficiency and accountability to the promotion process. It eliminates the need for vendors to make multiple account calls for each promotional event, resolves the issue of qualifying retail performance and ensures the proper allocation of funds to participants.

CPAC New Item Program
The CPAC New Item Program leverages the power of CPAC members to quickly bring new item introductions to the market. Its purpose is to streamline the entire “speed to shelf” process enabling the retailer to be first in the market to carry the product and first in the market to advertise. The “speed to shelf” initiative capitalizes on manufacturers support such as TV, FSI, Radio and other media resources. The program is comprised of optional item opportunities. Retailers order optional items based on their individual preferences. Stores agree to shelve the item for a determined introductory period and uniquely tag the item as “new." Participating stores receive monetary incentives per item payable at the end of each period.

Center Store Hot Sheet
The Center Store Hot Sheet provides a forum in which deals captured at the last minute or end of quarter incentives and special opportunity buys can be reflected to our retail customers.

Category SKU Optimization
Unified's Category SKU Optimization (CSO) program is designed to educate and inform retailers on category trends and market changes. Utilizing state-of-the-art space management software, Unified is able to effectively analyze front-end scan information to assist in determining the most efficient item assortment.
Recommended flow planoqrams are posted on this website and include:

• Planogram • Product placement report • New and discontinued item information • Unallocated item information • Various space-to-sales reports

Unified also offers custom planograms using your specific data, please contact us for further details.

Cross-Dock
The Cross-Dock Program includes Grocery, Deli Grocery, General Merchandise and Health & Beauty Care products. This logistical program is designed to allow retail customers to purchase full truckload quantities of dry product for cross-dock distribution to their retail stores at significant savings. These pallet orders are merged with regularly scheduled grocery deliveries going to the specific retail stores.

Direct Ship
The Direct Ship Program provides retail customers the convenience of working directly with Unified on purchases of truckload or vendor minimum order shipments, shipped directly from the vendor, to the retailer. When a retail merchandiser determines a direct shipment of product is needed, they communicate the information to Unified’s Direct Buyer or to Unified via the broker associated with the merchandise. Unified’s Direct Buyer confirms and coordinates product availability, cost, freight, order lead-time and delivery, as well as processing vendor and store invoicing.

Bulk Foods
The Bulk Foods Program provides a point of differentiation for independent retailers working to compete in the marketplace. Unified offers a full line of bulk food items including: candies, trail mixes, snack foods, pastas, spices, beans and rice. The high grossing nature of these products can make a substantial positive impact on store profits. Bulk Foods is committed to quality, service and competitive prices, and will work closely with retailers to provide the expert assistance and innovative merchandising techniques needed to capture sales.

Dairy
The Dairy Program is designed to help independent retailers compete in product selection, pricing, promotion and placement. Unified’s sales team is committed to ensuring proper product mix and assisting retailers to merchandise the category for maximum profit. Unified works with core groups to set core items and schematics, while maintaining and monitoring proper retail pricing for all our retailers. The sales team will develop sales and operating plans for the independent marketing groups, including category reviews, schematics, new item acceptance, product placement, and dairy seminars.

GM/HBC
Salient Item Program
The General Merchandise/Health & Beauty Care (GM/HBC) Salient Program allows CPAC member stores to be competitively priced in the market on key items. Working closely with manufacturers, marketing funds are migrated from co-op dollars into the cost of goods. Stores may choose from two tiers from which to perform: 1. Every Day Low Price, or 2. Weekly Ads or Coupon Books and TPR programs.

Dollar Zone Program
Designed to give retailers the opportunity to compete with dollar store activity, the Dollar Zone Program offers retailers a complete sign kit and shelf schematic. The distinctive Dollar Zone graphics enable retailers to define the “Dollar Zone” in their store and capture high impulse sales. Merchandising support is available for the initial set. Dollar Zone items include: school, hardware, gifts, house wares, party, toys and baby.

Clip Strip Program
Unified and United Sales & Marketing partner with retailers to install and maintain the Clip Strip Program. The program offers hundreds of key impulse items cross-merchandised for maximum impulse sales including, an assortment of “big brand” items, strong in-aisle presentation, category specific item selection, and a suggested map of each aisle. All items come pre-loaded on a clip strip of 6, 9 or 12 each, for easy installation and maintenance.

Hispanic/Ethnic
The rapid shifts and growth in the United States’ diverse cultural populations is having a dramatic effect on retail grocers. Consumers are becoming more acquainted with the ever-increasing variety of foods and flavors, and retailers are having to modify their buying decisions. Unified’s Hispanic/Ethnic Program continues to evolve with these trends to ensure our retail customers always have the right mix of product to meet consumer demand.

The Hispanic/Ethnic team is committed to providing the right combination of product assortment and program services to meet the needs of the independent retailer, including: Hispanic CPAC, Bean and Rice Pallet Program, Hispanic Hot Sheet, Store Consultation, and Schematic Support. The program also offers SKU’s in Asian, Russian, Goya and Kosher food. Product selection encompasses grocery, frozen and bulk foods. Unified’s ability to offer one strong negotiating point and efficient warehousing and distribution, enables retailers and vendors alike to reduce costs, increase profits and successfully compete in the maturing Hispanic and ethnic foods market. The Hispanic/Ethnic team also helps retailers stay informed and ahead of the curve with trade shows, educational events, new product previews, and promotions.

Javaworks Coffee
The Javaworks Coffee Program provides retailers with a complete program of top quality fresh roasted coffees along with a professionally managed, easy to use retail operations plan. The program includes: an in-store brew program, over 10 coffee varieties pre-packaged or in bulk bean, sign and display package for bean and brew programs, and Javaworks insulated cups and other promotional materials. Each coffee variety is presented with its own distinctive label, and comes in specially designed bags to preserve freshness.

Javaworks uses only 100% Arabica beans, grown at high altitudes. The beans are air-roasted in small batches, using the patented Java Trading Company Pure Roast System, to ensure that their quality, freshness, and rich flavor shines through in every cup.

Private Label
Unified Grocers’ house brand, Western Family, has achieved top position among private label brands in the Northwest. For over sixty years, Western Family has been committed to quality and value. The brand’s unquestioned quality and broad product depth in nearly every category, drives retail profitability through brand recognition and customer satisfaction. The Western Family “Double Your Money Back” consumer guarantee reinforces their commitment to quality, and includes supporting point-of-sale promotional materials for retail. Western Family also offers a “Cash for Labels” Program for non-profit organizations to raise needed funds.

For additional information about the Western Family brand visit their web site.

Natural/Organic and Specialty/Gourmet
The Natural/Organic and Specialty/Gourmet Program offers retailers a single source for a broad selection of natural and specialty foods across all grocery categories, as well as frozen refrigerated, GM/HBC and bulk. Natural and specialty foods historically have provided retail grocers a point of differentiation to attract and retain customers. As these categories rapidly expand, their increasing mainstream appeal and strong profit margins present continued growth opportunities.

Unified’s Natural/Specialty team aggressively analyzes and responds to the ever changing product and industry advances, and continually looks for new ways to grow the business. They are committed to providing the right combination of product assortment and program services to meet the needs of the independent retailer, including: category management, promotional support, schematics, group buying, store consultation, CPAC promotions, Natural/Specialty CPAC ads, monthly hot sheets, annual shows and Specialty direct imports. The Natural/Specialty team also helps retailers stay informed and ahead of the curve with trade shows, educational events, and new product previews and promotions.