United Natural FoodsBSP:U2NF34 30 Gross Margin % is 13.58% as of Apr. 2026, which is 7% below its 10-year median of 14.54. GuruFocus rates BSP:U2NF34 with a GF Score™ of 30/100 and a GF Value™ of R$28.37 (Significantly Overvalued). The stock has 8 warning signs investors should review. Among 305 Retail - Defensive companies, United Natural Foods ranks worse than 77.7% on this metric.
United Natural Foods Inc gross margin has been in long-term decline. The average rate of decline per year is -2.2%.
The historical rank and industry rank for United Natural Foods's Gross Margin % or its related term are showing as below:
BSP:U2NF34'
s Gross Margin % Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 13.28 Med: 14.54 Max: 15.41
Current: 13.38
During the past 13 years, the highestGross Margin % of United Natural Foods was 15.41%. The lowest was 13.28%. And the median was 14.54%.
BSP:U2NF34's Gross Margin % is ranked worse than 77.7% of 305
companies
in the Retail - Defensive industry
Industry Median: 24.14
vs BSP:U2NF34: 13.38
United Natural Foods had a gross margin of 13.58% for the quarter that ended in Apr. 2026 => No sustainable competitive advantage
The 5-Year average Growth Rate of Gross Margin for United Natural Foods was -2.20% per year.
United Natural Foods (BSP:U2NF34) Gross Margin % Explanation
Warren Buffett believes that firms with excellent long term economics tend to have consistently higher margins.
Durable competitive advantage creates a high Gross Margin % because of the freedom to price in excess of cost. Companies can be categorized by their Gross Margin %
1. Greater than 40% = Durable competitive advantage
2. Less than 40% = Competition eroding margins
3. Less than 20% = no sustainable competitive advantage
Consistency of Gross Margin is key
United Natural Foods had a gross margin of 13.58% for the quarter that ended in Apr. 2026 => No sustainable competitive advantage
Be Aware
If a company loses its competitive advantages, usually its gross margin declines well before its sales declines. Watching Gross Margin % and Operating Margin % closely helps avoid value trap situations.
United Natural Foods Gross Margin % Related Terms
United Natural Foods Gross Margin % Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for United Natural Foods's Gross Margin % can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
BSP:U2NF34 vs CHEF, ANDE, AVO: Gross Margin % Comparison
For the Food Distribution subindustry, United Natural Foods's Gross Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Gross Margin % data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
United Natural Foods Gross Margin % vs Retail - Defensive Industry
For the Retail - Defensive industry and Consumer Defensive sector, United Natural Foods's Gross Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where United Natural Foods's Gross Margin % falls into.
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
A positive Gross Profit is only the first step for a company to make a net profit. The gross profit needs to be big enough to also cover related labor, equipment, rental, marketing/advertising, research and development and a lot of other costs in selling the products.
United Natural Foods (BSP:U2NF34) has a Gross Margin % of 13.58% as of Apr. 2026. Gross margin is the ratio of total gross profit to net sales. View historical data on United Natural Foods and its competitors. This is near median its historical median of 14.54. Over the past decade, United Natural Foods' Gross Margin % has ranged from 13.28 to 15.41. According to the industry distribution chart, United Natural Foods ranks #237 out of 305 companies in the Retail - Defensive industry, placing it in the top 77.7%.
Is United Natural Foods' Gross Margin % too high?
United Natural Foods' current Gross Margin % of 13.58% is near median its 10-year median of 14.54. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 13.28 to a high of 15.41. The Retail - Defensive industry median Gross Margin % is 24.14. United Natural Foods' value of 13.58% is 43.7% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, United Natural Foods ranks #237 out of 305 companies in the Retail - Defensive industry, which is in the bottom quartile relative to peers. Overall, United Natural Foods has a GF Score™ of 30/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does United Natural Foods' Gross Margin % compare to CHEF and ANDE?
According to the Retail - Defensive industry distribution chart, United Natural Foods ranks #237 out of 305 companies for Gross Margin %. This places United Natural Foods in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Gross Margin % is 24.14. United Natural Foods' value of 13.58% is 43.7% below this benchmark. Historically, United Natural Foods' own Gross Margin % has ranged from 13.28 to 15.41 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 14.54 vs. the industry median of 24.14, United Natural Foods has consistently been below the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Gross Margin % for a Retail - Defensive company?
The median Gross Margin % among Retail - Defensive companies is 24.14, based on 305 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Gross Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Gross Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. United Natural Foods's current Gross Margin % of 13.58% is 43.7% below the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Gross Margin % mean?
A high Gross Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Gross margin is the ratio of total gross profit to net sales. View historical data on United Natural Foods and its competitors. For the Retail - Defensive industry, the median Gross Margin % is 24.14 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. United Natural Foods's current Gross Margin % is 13.58%, which is near median its own 10-year median of 14.54. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is United Natural Foods stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, United Natural Foods (BSP:U2NF34) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is R$28.37, compared to a current price of R$67.09 — trading 136.5% above its estimated fair value. The current Gross Margin % is 13.58%, which is near median its 10-year median of 14.54 and 43.7% below the Retail - Defensive industry median of 24.14. United Natural Foods' overall GF Score™ is 30/100 with 8 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Gross Margin % calculated?
Gross Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For United Natural Foods (BSP:U2NF34), the current Gross Margin % is 13.58% as of Apr. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is United Natural Foods (BSP:U2NF34) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, United Natural Foods stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of R$67.09 is trading 136.5% above its estimated GF Value™ of R$28.37.
GuruFocus considers United Natural Foods to be Significantly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for BSP:U2NF34:
Gross Margin %: 13.58% (near median its 10-year median of 14.54)
GF Value™: R$28.37 vs. price of R$67.09 (136.5% above fair value)
Industry Position: 43.7% below the Retail - Defensive median (#237 of 305)
No single metric tells the full story. See the BSP:U2NF34 stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
United Natural Foods Inc is a wholesale distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and nonfood products across North America. The company's products consist of national, regional and private label brands grouped into grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition, bulk and foodservice products, and personal care items. United Natural Foods serves various retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and foodservice channels such as e-commerce platforms. The company's operations are comprised of principal divisions: the wholesale division; the retail division; and other.
30GF Score
Get the complete analysis for BSP:U2NF34
Gross Margin % is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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