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UNFI taps blockchain platform to bolster retailers’ digital coupon access

Partnership with CoupDog extends support for digital wallets, UDC format

Russell Redman

October 21, 2022

2 Min Read
UNFI-CoupDog-digital coupon partnership.jpg
CoupDog’s solution integrates a secure, scalable distributed ledger with popular mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet, as well as Retailer Load2Card platforms.United Natural Foods Inc.

Distributor United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is helping grocery retailers serve up shopper saving via a partnership with blockchain-based digital coupon platform CoupDog.

CoupDog’s solution integrates a secure, scalable distributed ledger with popular mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet, as well as Retailer Load2Card platforms. It also fully supports the new 8112 Universal Digital Coupon (UDC) format, which enables shoppers to redeem coupons from mobile phones instead of having to print or cut out paper coupons.  

In announcing the partnership yesterday, Providence, R.I.-based UNFI said CoupDog gives its more than 30,000 retailer customers access to an easy-to-use, reliable digital coupon platform that can drive higher participation in manufacturer-funded coupon redemption. UNFI noted that, by leveraging its supplier network, it also can enhance vendor marketing and merchandising and improve overall deals and offers for consumers.

“Retailers rely on UNFI to help them discover what’s next, introduce them to new opportunities to drive growth and efficiencies, and deliver insights and expertise that help them succeed in their market. To that end, we’re excited to be working with CoupDog to unleash the latest in digital technology to redefine coupons for grocery retail,” UNFI President Chris Testa said in a statement. “Our focus is on solutions that empower retailers to grow and thrive while improving the customer experience for shoppers.”

Related:County Market gets lift from digital coupon transition

Historically, retailers have had to balance the savings, promotional and loyalty benefits of coupons with concerns about fraud. Toronto-based CoupDoug said its platform addresses that by leveraging blockchain, a distributed ledger technology that consists of an expanding list of digital records — called blocks — that cannot be altered and are securely linked. On the consumer end, this means a simpler, hassle-free way to discover and redeem digital coupons from national, regional and emerging CPG companies.

“These technologically advanced coupons not only deliver a more reliable and secure transaction, but they are also structured to reduce costs, improve cash flow, increase shopper loyalty and drive retailer profits,” according to Testa.

CoupDog noted that digital coupons from its platform seamlessly integrate with retailer point-of-sale, e-commerce and marketing solutions. The tech company also said it manages coupon acceptance, validation and redemption — with no additional labor needed from retailers — and its solution integrates with UNFI’s current paper-coupon clearing service, expediting payment to retailers.

Related:For first time, digital coupons overtake print circulars in redemption

“We are very excited to be working with UNFI to empower independent grocers to deliver a modern, simple, easy-to-use digital coupon platform,” stated Rob Balfour, CEO of CoupDog. “We are proud to provide these retailers with best-in-class promotional tools, allowing them to deliver compelling promotions and significant cost savings to their customers.”

North America’s largest publicly traded grocery distributor, UNFI operates 56 distribution centers and supplies more than 30,000 retailers in the United States and Canada, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, e-commerce retailers and foodservice providers.

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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