Family-run Irish retailer Evergreen Healthfoods, which celebrates its 30th year of trading in 2022, has opened a new concept store in Galway, at the Gateway Shopping Park in Knocknacarra.
After recognizing an opportunity in the highly populated suburb, the store – the retailer’s eighth – was ‘opened quietly’ in December with a small announcement on social media. “It felt unusual for us to launch a new store without fanfare, but it was the right thing to do for our customers and our store teams to remain safe during the pandemic,” explain owners Aideen and Kieran Hurley.
The interior – which has a flexible space to hold demonstrations and events – was given the modern look and feel of the retailer’s recent rebrand. “While the fixtures in several of the older Evergreen stores are crafted from wood, we opted for modular furniture in chrome and white,” the Hurleys say. “This gives us a more contemporary, clean look, but also the flexibility to move fixtures and shelving as our business evolves. Light was also really important for us, ensuring the store is a bright and welcoming place to visit, and we’re particularly proud of the central lighting fixture – a giant Evergreen flower on the ceiling in the centre of the store!”
Our vision is to bring our values of
honesty, integrity and ethical business
to a wider number of people and build
trust in what we sell
As with the other stores, 50% of the product mix is devoted to supplements, 20% to healthy foods, 20% natural skincare and then a wide selection of sustainable household and lifestyle products. “As it is one of our biggest stores, we have the opportunity to stock a bigger variety of products, and plan to increase our range as customers ask for specific items and let us know what they want to see. Responding to our customers’ requests for new products is at the centre of our buying strategy.”
Irish products having been become increasingly important, the owners say, along with organic, vegan-friendly and natural origin. “Our main priority is around ingredients – a product’s ingredient list is always thoroughly checked for purity and quality before we agree to stock them.”
And what does the future hold for Evergreen Healthfoods? “As we approach our 30th year, we are still investing in our business and taking steps to future-proof it. Our vision is to bring our values of honesty, integrity and ethical business to a wider number of people and build trust in what we sell to our customers. Our next expansion is online, with a new website and a host of services planned for later in 2021.”
