Indies Lead The Charge

Len Glenville
Chair, Health Stores UK

It was good to see that organic sales returned to growth in 2023, as revealed in the latest Soil Association Organic Market Report. But it was especially pleasing to see independents delivering the standout performance, where organic food, beauty and wellbeing sales were up 10% on 2022 figures (compared to 2.7% growth by the supermarkets).

Despite a year of political and economic turmoil, it seems that committed sustainable food consumers remained fully engaged with organic values. Encouragingly, two thirds of indies told the Soil Association they expect further growth in 2024.

Independents seem to be succeeding with organic for three main reasons. First, we offer a lot more choice and depth of range when it comes to organic. The organic message also chimes with our customers' concerns around key issues like health and sustainability. And shoppers know that Indies are much more likely to be committed to these values themselves – unlike the supermarkets who have been fair-weather friends of organic at best.

We look forward to working closely again this year with the Soil Association, and we'll be encouraging members to get involved with events such as Wake Up To Organic and Organic September to make the most of this fertile area for our businesses (pun fully intended!).

Webinar Wednesday

We are creating a new regular slot for our popular online discussion and education programme currently consisting of our Shop Talk, Workshop and Health Store Mastermind Forum events. Step forward, Webinar Wednesday.

The Shop Talk discussions (hosted by Vicky Perks and Joanne Hill) and Workshops (hosted by Dave Christie of Take on Goliath) will now both sit under the Shop Talk banner, and be rotated between hosts. Both events will continue to be recorded and available for Health Stores UK members to download on demand.

The Mastermind Forum discussions, co-hosted by Cheryl Thallon, owner of Sheaf Street Health Store, will continue to be a private discussion among retailers and provide a 'safe space' to discuss all things retail in a frank and open setting.

All our online events will take place on the last Wednesday of the month (6pm) on Zoom.

New members

In February we welcomed two new members to the association. Natural Choice describes itself as a traditional health food shop and has been established in historic Knaresborough for 30 years. Demeter Health is a thriving Wholefoods store in the heart of Sandbach. These businesses have recently been acquired by wellbeing specialist Healthy Stuff which says it has exciting plans for both stores.

We're also delighted to announce that Bio-nature/Terranova, Faith in Nature and FSC/Bee Health have all confirmed their ongoing support of Health Stores UK as official Partners.

New Membership Benefit of the month – £100 worth of health books donated by Viridian Nutrition. To join us for as little as just £21 per month, visit www.healthstores.uk and click the Join Us button.