A Heart-warming Feelgood Story

Len Glenville
Chair, Health Stores UK

Want to hear a good news story? Some may want to have their faith in human nature restored so let me share a thoroughly uplifting story with you.

When Health Stores UK Committee Member and retailer mentor, Cheryl Thallon, was talking recently with one of our new members, Cardiff-based Iechyd Da ('Good Health' in Welsh), the subject of an impending store relocation came up. Iechyd Da would shortly be moving a couple of hundred metres down to the road to larger premises.

Alwen Lewis was slightly anxious about the moving process, and about how much downtime her business might suffer. Cheryl suggested putting a call out on social media to ask Iechyd Da customers if they would be happy to lend a hand.

On the day, 70 volunteers – customers, local residents and friends and family – turned up to form a human chain between the two store locations. In just over one hour all 250 packed boxes had been delivered to the new store – and all with a zero-carbon footprint!

Alwen says she was overwhelmed with the kindness and support she received, adding, "I can't believe how lucky we are to have such an incredible community supporting us".

I really couldn't think of a better way to illustrate the unique relationship that independent health food retailers have with their customers, and wider communities! We wish Alwen and her team all the very best with the new Iechyd Da store, which looks fantastic.

Partner power

"When independent health food retailers and distributors work closely together there is a win-win for the whole of our wonderful channel," said Dave Christie of Take on Goliath as he introduced the latest of our Shop Talk sessions. Co-hosted with Ruth Hawthorne of Natural Trade Brokers, it set out to show how retailers, distributors and brokers can get the most out of partnering effectively together.

The well attended, interactive session covered a wide range of ground, including basics - such as defining the differences between the roles of wholesalers, distributors and brokers – but also some great advice on how to get support from brands with promotions, sampling and events and examples of retailer initiatives that have led to significant sales uplifts. The full video recording of the session is available to Health Stores UK members to view now at our website (see below).

If you are a Health Stores UK member, you can watch many of our popular webinar events at a time and place that suits you. We have a growing archive of Shop Talk episodes, business mentoring specials, virtual roadshows, healthy recipe videos and consumer perspectives on our website. Just log in at www.healthstores.uk and click the Members' Area button to take a look around, including upcoming webinars.

Join Health Stores UK for just £21 per month via www.healthstores.ukfor many benefits including free Bira membership and a downloadable copy of How to Open and Run a Successful Health Store.