United Natural Foods, Inc. (HMC) reported results for the first of fiscal 2010 with earnings of 36 cents per share. Earnings were in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and were up 16.1% year-over-year. Net sales for the quarter increased 2.4% year-over-year to $885 million, due to an ease in inflationary pressure. Furthermore, sales to the super natural channel increased by 7.4%, while the supermarket channel experienced growth of 4.3%, which was partially offset by decline in Independent sales channel of 1.6% and decline in food service by approximately 4.1% over the prior year. Gross margins for the quarter contracted 80 basis points (bps) to 18.6% versus 19.4% in the comparable prior-year quarter. The decline was due to a combination of lower fuel surcharge revenues and a change in the mix of sales. In addition, the company also had some issues within the manufacturing division which negatively ...

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) a leading domestic distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods, plans to lease a new distribution center in Lancaster, Texas. The new facility is expected to provide UNFI with an ideal location to support retailers throughout the Southwest including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana. The newly constructed distribution center is owned by ProLogis (PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities. Operations at the new facility of 590,000 square feet (SF) are expected to begin by the fall of 2010 and within the first year itself, the company expects to employ about 130 new associates there. Furthermore, on a strategic basis the Lancaster facility helps UNFI focus on lowering operating costs in its distribution network, thereby enhancing efficiencies and improving productivity through "best in class" warehousing and inventory control systems, and through reduced "greenhouse gas" emissions. The ...

You know you’re doing something right when Fortune Magazine ranks you as one of their “Most Admired Companies” for the past two years. That honor continues to inspire United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) to better performance for their customers and shareholders alike. Headquartered in Dayville, Connecticut, United is the largest, publicly traded wholesale distributor to the natural and organic foods industry.

Trading on NASDAQ as part of the Food Wholesale business sector, they carry and distribute over 40,000 products to more than 17,000 customers in the United States. They serve traditional supermarket chains, natural products superstores, independent health food retailers, and the food service industry. In 2003, the company became the first and largest certified organic distributor in North America. Quality Assurance International, the industry’s underwriter of organic quality, certified all of their distribution centers.

United Natural Foods Inc.’s product lines include natural and organic groceries, nutritional supplements, personal care items,

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