Sunday 29 January saw the return of the annual Health Stores Ireland/New Natural Business retailer awards where Irish retailers received recognition for their resilience and innovation through turbulent trading years.
On the day, 22 of Ireland’s natural health retailers were handed awards which spanned seven categories at the inaugural ‘Putting Our Best Foot Forward’ event in Shannon, County Clare.
In addition, there was plenty opportunities for networking as well as panel discussions and sectoral awards, with 40 trade exhibitors and over 60 retailer participants representing more than 70 health food shops.
International Retail Consultant Tim Radley, author of VM-Unleashed, set the tone for the event with a positive message for independents of a noted decline in pureplay online retail in favour of bricks and mortar specialists. Authenticity and co-operation in a passionate supply chain will be the key dynamics for a successful retail future, he said.
Award-winners included Natural Health Store, Wexford and Dr Clare Apothecary, Galway (joint winners, Marketing & Social Media); The Hopsack, Dublin (Environmental Initiatives); Evergreen Healthfoods, Galway (Training & Education); Open Sesame, Gort and Healthy Haven, Thurles (joint winners, Community Engagement); Health Connection, Ennis (Local Food Champion); Simple Simon’s, Donegal and Horan’s Healthstores, Tralee (joint winners, Innovation & Business Development; Celestial Times, Kilrush (Best Newcomer).
