— Nearly eight years after United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) shocked the grocery industry with its $2.9 billion acquisition of Supervalu, the company is finally turning the page on one of the most transformative—and challenging—mergers in recent food distribution history.
As of April 2026, UNFI is firmly focused on a new era of AI-driven logistics, having moved beyond the integration pitfalls that plagued its financial performance for years following the 2018 acquisition. The 2018 "Surprise" Acquisition supervalu buyout rumors
Initially, UNFI announced plans to divest Supervalu’s retail assets—including Cub Foods, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, and Hornbacher's—to focus on wholesale and reduce debt. UNFI completes transformative acquisition of SUPERVALU — Nearly eight years after United Natural Foods, Inc