“Becoming more than a shop could be the independent health store retailer’s biggest opportunity,” says the political affairs commentator, Chris Whitehouse. By making a stand for health choice and acting as local health information hubs, stores become community assets valued by cash-strapped councils and health authorities as much as consumers.
Other retailers are showing what they stand for by being local advocates for ethical sourcing, Fairtrade and animal welfare, or acting as local hubs in a better food movement.
In a special retailer discussion at Natural & Organic Products Europe, we’ll hear from successful retailers on how becoming an ‘added values’ retailer will make you store stand out on your local high street – and boost your bottom line.
One of the retailers on our panel, Dominic Upton, of Haslemere Health, said: “There seems to be a gradual recognition at Government level that the conventional healthcare system is under impossible pressure. The common sense approach is for there to be more information available at local level, to enable people to take better care of themselves, reducing the burden on the NHS. Who better to provide positive guidelines in this direction, than the qualified health professionals operating in health food stores and complementary medicine centres?”
“Who better to provide positive guidelines in this direction, than the qualified health professionals operating in health food stores and complementary medicine centres?”
Another panelist, Ruth Strange of Sound Bites, said: “When we started Sound Bites it was with the clear intention to ‘increase access to more ethical food’ and ‘support positive social change’ – now we want the UK Wholefood Shop Action Network to push those aims even further – WSAN will provide an online forum for shops to share ideas and experience; resources such as model flyers and press releases; a channel of information from the wider food movements to all our customers; and more visibility including an online directory to help new people find us… all to strengthen the independent sector, help build a better food system, and save you the stress of doing everything yourself – why not do it together?”
How becoming an ‘added values’ retailer will make your stand out on your local high street – and boost your bottom line. Panelists: Dominic Upton – Haslemere Health, Ruth Strange – Sound Bites and Wholefood Shop Action Network, Sara Novakovic – Oliver’s Wholefoods. Chair – Jim Manson
11.45-12.30, Sunday 13 April, Natural Products Live Theatre (Pillar Hall), Olympia, London.
