Distribution Innovator KeHE to Host Virtual Holiday Show
Naperville, IL – June 8, 2020 – This week, KeHE Distributors will provide attendees of its first-ever virtual Holiday Show, Holidays of Hope, a digital show experience accessible from their home or office around the clock. After announcing the shift of its annual Holiday Show to a digital platform in April, today KeHE shares details of the first-of-its-kind technology developed in-house to host the show.
KeHE is the first distributor in the space to facilitate a virtual show using its own digital system. KeHE’s proprietary technology will enable participants to connect in a similar way to how they would in-person, using best-in-class methods to mimic a live show within the virtual realm.
“Everyone at KeHE would much rather be gathered together at McCormick Place as planned, but that’s just not an option right now,” said Brandon Barnholt, KeHE’s President & CEO. “However, the show must go on, and go on, it will.”
Through its digital platform, KeHE will bring everything visitors love about the annual Holiday Show online, including a curated and innovative product assortment to ensure their customers have a strong fourth quarter. The distributor will also provide customers with post-COVID solutions including item recommendations, contactless option, and more than 275 new items to help them continue to bring innovation to their shelves.
This new easy-to-use, digital marketplace platform will enable retailers to participate in live education, discover innovative trends, suppliers and items, and place orders just like KeHE’s physical shows. Customers can also connect with participating suppliers to discover new products, explore product stories, negotiate deals, and buy the seasonal products they know and love.
“One of the most exciting things about our virtual Holiday Show is the ability to facilitate virtual negotiations for our retail partners like we would in person,” said Ari Goldsmith, Vice President of Marketing. “Our goal in launching Holidays of Hope digitally was to create the same atmosphere our retailers know and love from past shows, while bringing everything online. The pivot to digital rather than cancelling the show also ensures our retail partners don’t miss out on exciting products and being first-to-shelf this holiday season.”
After a proactive 2019 virtual show pilot, with 1500 retail partners, KeHE was set up for success to launch this year’s show. This year’s virtual show, which takes place June 8-15, is part of KeHE’s ongoing digital excellence initiative, which made it easier for the distributor to convert the physical show to an online experience quickly due to COVID-19 safety concerns.
In lieu of participation fees, KeHE encouraged its suppliers and retail partners to donate to KeHE Cares® in support of communities ravaged by COVID-19. To date, KeHE has raised over $170,000 through Holidays of Hope. To learn more about KeHE’s trade shows or make a donation, visit https://www.kehe.com/events/holiday-show/.
About KeHE
With its nationwide distribution network, KeHE provides natural & organic, specialty & fresh products to chain and independent grocery and natural food stores and other specialty product retailers throughout North America. KeHE is an employee-owned, B Corporation certified, company with over 5,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada. Where KeHE Goes, Goodness Follows.® For more about KeHE, visit KeHE.com or check out our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & LinkedIn