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KeHE unveils KeHE CONNECT Direct digital fulfillment

New service brings grocery retailers access to another 10,000-plus products

Russell Redman

June 17, 2022

2 Min Read
KeHE distribution center-CONNECT Direct launch.png
From three new fulfillment centers, KeHE CONNECT Direct can supply retailers with more offerings from categories such as natural and organic, specialty and fresh products, the distributor said.KeHE Distributors

KeHE Distributors is bolstering its distribution capabilities with the launch of KeHE CONNECT Direct, a new fulfillment service that streamlines retailer procurement.

Announced this week, KeHE CONNECT Direct is designed to expand grocery retailers’ assortment options for dry, refrigerated, and frozen items outside of their home distribution center, as well as open up access to thousands of additional new products to buy and bring to their store shelves, Naperville, Ill.-based KeHE said this week.

From three new KeHE fulfillment centers, the service can supply more offerings from categories such as natural and organic, specialty and fresh products, including hard-to-find protein, bakery, bulk and cheese products. KeHE noted that CONNECT Direct also simplifies product ordering, with order minimums or limits to ship and free two-day shipping for orders of more than $50 from KeHE’s distribution centers to anywhere in the contiguous United States.

“We are excited to roll out this new supplemental sourcing service, KeHE CONNECT Direct, as it gives retailers in different regions a chance to obtain thousands of new and innovative products,” Amy Kirtland, executive vice president of innovation and growth at KeHE, said in a statement. “Now KeHE retailers will have access to an array of new product options to choose from, which aligns with the demands of their consumers. Plus, we’ve made the logistic process intuitive and easy, from ordering to shipping.”

Related:KeHE launches ECOtrade sustainability program at Expo West

Key features of the new fulfillment service include the ability to procure products via the KeHE CONNECT Retailer platform — and soon through EDI — with access to 10,000-plus new products in case, cut case and each quantities, as well as promotions and new-to-KeHE item offerings. CONNECT also provides up-to-date tracking information on shipments, ease of delivery for frozen or special-temperature products, free drop shipment for orders over $50 and sustainable packaging for all shipments.

“Changes in the food and beverage landscape are ever-changing, from consumer preferences to supply chain innovations,” Kirtland added. “The marketplace’s success is rooted in bringing the latest and broadest available selection of natural and organic, specialty and fresh products to shoppers. KeHE CONNECT Direct is our latest digital option enabling our partners to accomplish this and fuel that marketplace need.”

An employee-owned, B Corp-certified company, KeHE supplies natural, organic, fresh and specialty food, groceries and other products to more than 30,000 natural food stores, supermarket chains, independent grocery stores, online retailers, retail pharmacies, convenience stores, foodservice providers and specialty retailers across North America.

Related:KeHE lands primary distribution pact with Allegiance Retail Services

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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