Supplements brand Viridian Nutrition is driving footfall back to high streets and rebuilding town centres via a new resource aimed at helping ‘crises-torn communities’ recover following COVID and Brexit.
The resource devised by Viridian – in partnership with the National Association of Health Stores (NAHS) and the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS) – is a booklet titled Rebuilding Confidence & Driving Footfall: a post-pandemic outreach toolkit.
The 32-page booklet aims to encourage local engagement within communities and assist retailers in promoting the high street to the general public. Within its pages are suggestions of activities, events and promotions which retailers can use to ‘boost their communities’.
The idea for the toolkit came about during brainstorming work between the brand, the NAHS and the IAHS, explains Cheryl Thallon, MD of Viridian. “We wanted to enhance the specialist independent health store position as the centre of the health and eco community with humility, gratitude, inspiration, laughter and joy.
This booklet is a prime example of what can be achieved when we work together
“Finding a way for people to feel ‘included’ and supported by others is at the heart of all these ideas. This collaborative booklet does just that by sharing and reminding all the amazing activities health stores do in their communities.
“Many of these ideas have been tried-and-tested in stores around the UK and Ireland, and also in Daventry (the home of Viridian Nutrition).”
New chair of the NAHS, Len Glenville, comments: “The NAHS are committed to collaborating with our Patrons and other industry organizations to benefit our members across the country and this booklet is a prime example of what can be achieved when we work together. We hope that all health food stores will find it a useful tool to help promote themselves in their local community and ultimately help increase footfall.”
Gerald Colfer, Health Stores Ireland president and IAHS board member, adds: “Creating the outreach toolkit has been a very fulfilling and action-promoting project. Our network of members is applying many of the initiatives suggested in the booklet. By utilizing this resource, stores are running in-store and local events and reaching out to other independent retailers in their neighbourhood.”
A copy of the booklet can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
