Whole Body Category Review and New Item Submission Process

Whole Body Category Review and New Item Submission Process

Below is an overview of theGlobal Whole Body new item review process that we adhere to in the Florida region. Please follow these guidelines when submitting a nutritional supplement, personal care, nutrition bar products, and Lifestyle items(apparel, BCM, gifts, toys, etc.) for launch at Whole Foods Market.

Review the Supplier Guidelines, 2015 Global/Florida Category Review Schedule and Global Free Fill Policy, located on the Whole Foods Market Vendor site below; to help facilitate process. Note all deadlines for submission and in store land date on the review schedule.

Password: wholefoods

·We are looking for the best you have to offer in terms of innovation, differentiation and quality. We will prioritize exclusives, speed to shelf innovations as well as seasonal first to market new items.

·We will be prioritizing offerings that are Premium, Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, and want to continue growing our selection of dedicated Fair Trade goods (the higher the Fair Trade ingredient content, the better).

·We have committed to full GMO transparency by 2018 for ALL products, and we expect many Whole Body categories to be transparently labeled within the next 2-3 years. Suppliers have the options of either pursuing Non GMO Verification and/or Organic production. For more information please

·We want suppliers to push the envelope on packaging sustainability, such as compost ability and recycled content. We need to create a circular, regenerative economy with packaged goods.

·A major focus for us continues to be developing local and regional suppliers into bigger partnerships.

·We want to partner with creative, inspired and purpose driven suppliers, who share our commitment to win-win partnerships.

·Please note the changes to the category schedule

• There are a few categories that will be reviewed twice this year
• We are again offering an On-Trend and Regional category for compelling and truly innovated new to market items that are available off schedule to allow our stores first to market.We look favorably on products submitted as Whole Foods Market Exclusive Items.
• The in-store launch timeline is increased to a two week window to allow brokers/reps and vendors time to work with each region to support their stores in the refresh and placement of new items
• We have PO deadlines to vendors on items that are considered a global launch.
• Lifestyle items and categories (BCM) are added to our review schedule.

Submission Process:

·Complete both New Item Forms (xls & ppt). Incomplete forms will be returned.

·Rename both forms; (Your Company Name Round)FY15Global New Item Submission Form.

·E-mail submissions to: in the subject line of the email include

• Vendor Name, the Round, Whole Body Global New Item Submission

·Send samples to the attention of the regional buyer by the submission due date.

·Mark all sample parcels “Whole Body Global Category ReviewROUND?”

·Copies of the submissions can be inserted in the parcel.

·WFM Quality Standard Coordinators must receive product samples, pdf’s of full labels for all product submissions and supporting paperwork, where applicable(only if submitting globally).

·The QS reviews may take up to two weeks, please account for this when submitting; this does not include any revisions needed.

Supplements, Oral Care and Nutrition Bars :

Body Care and Premium Body Care Applications :

Organic submissions and certifications :

·In order to support our Green Mission, we do not accept samples packed in Styrofoam (PS) peanuts. Please see the packaging guidelines in the Supplier Guidelines.

The category review is collaborative decision with all the regional Florida WB team, below are the results after careful consideration:

GlobalSelection(Florida policy adheres to Global):

·Team agrees that the product(s) are viable for a regional launch and therefore we will accept free-fill to land on our next approved launch date. Free-fill policy is as follows:

Body Care 6 free fill for items under $10.00 WFM Landed Cost / 3 free fill for items $10.00 WFM Landed Cost and above

Items in display cases such as lip balms 1 display box free fill

Supplements 6 free fill for items under $10.00 WFM Landed Cost / 3 free fill for items $10.00 WFM Landed Cost and above

Energy/Nutrition Bars/Single Shots – 1 display case / caddy free

All items that arrive to stores in display case (single shots/lip balm / Bars) – 1 display box free fill

·By submitting products for review regionally you are accepting these free-fill terms.

·Whole Foods Market’s free-fill policy is in place to help offset the labor & costs associated with placing new items in our stores.

·This policy is not negotiable and is required of all of our vendors.

·Please include a zero invoice that references the actual product cost with a 100% discount.

·Forregional submission items, one full size, final product must be sent here to:

Whole Foods Market, Florida Region

Attention: Whole Body Buyer

6451 North Federal Highway, Suite 601

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Onescannable product sample should be sent toThe Space Planning Team and the completed Space Planning Formupon approval into the Florida region only, emailed to :

Whole Foods Market

Louie Reina ~ Space Planning Team

550 Bowie Street

Austin, TX 78703

Not aRegional Selection:

·Team determines that the product(s) are not viable to be launched in all stores at this time.

Not Interested:

·New Item Team or Quality Standards decided that the product(s) are not suitable for sale in Whole Foods Market stores at this time.

·If your product(s) receive a rejection status you should not continue to pursue placement of said product with Whole Foods Market either globally or regionally.

Distributor Vendor process through UNFI

Below is a timeline for vendors who distribute their products via UNFI to Whole Foods Market stores.

·1-2 weeks out following New Item review: WFMconfirms accepteditemsto vendors and toUNFI.

·Within 1week of WFM notification of New Items request: UNFI WFM Account Representativeswill request new product set up from UNFI Supplier Relationship Managers on all items not set up.UNFI Supplier Relationship Managers will request from the supplier new item paperwork to be completed.New item paperwork must be completed and returned to the UNFI requesting Supplier Relationship Manager no later than one week from original request.

·UNFI Buyers will receive First PO suggestions which includes auto ship amounts and back stock from UNFI National Account Specialist at least 6 - 8 weeks prior to the first auto ship, sometimes sooner if new items are set up sooner- depends when new items are set up as PO’s can’t be placed until items are set up.

·4-6 weeks out: UNFI buyersplace PO's with vendors. Vendors should be prepared to ship immediately upon receipt of UNFI PO's. PO’s MUST land in UNFI DC’s no later than 2 weeks prior to first auto ship

·3 weeks out- WFM regions submit PO’s for auto ships and UNFI customer service begins entering the plus-out orders (UNFI cannot enter plus out orders for auto ships until WFM sends PO’s.)

·Auto Ship- UNFI begins shipments of plus out orders.

·Note: All free fill shipments must be delivered via UNFI for distributor vendors.

·When following up with UNFI on Regional new item plus outs, please follow up directly with Florida WB Regional Buyer

Thank you for submitting your new items for launch at Whole Foods Market. We hope that this document provides clear and concise direction so that you are able to work with our region as efficiently as possible. If you have any additional questions regarding submitting new items to Whole Foods Market please e-mail them to:

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