Class Of '24 - Let's Do This Together

Class of ’24 – Let’s do this together

Alan McGrath
National Organiser, Health Stores Ireland

While coffee baristas, sommeliers and maître d’s have defined roles within their sectors, nutritionists or nutritional advisors don’t seem to carry the same kind of clarity and kudos within health food retail.

This may be a scenario that we have unwillingly fostered, with a diverse range of staffing roles, from sales assistant to product advisors, but without an emphasis on an academic-based title. Perhaps it’s because most nutritionists begin their training journey on a declared path to a self-employed therapeutic goal.

To retain qualified nutritionists in retail and honour their academic achievements, we can take inspiration from savvy retailers who effectively use social media to highlight their staff’s accomplishments. I saw a well-known pharmacy chain recently post about one of their qualified pharmacists who had also achieved an integrative medicine qualification. Seems ironical, and even a bit odd, coming from a sector that often casts doubt over many of the lifestyle options that are offered by wholefood shops, but imitation is the best form of compliment and perhaps we should watch and learn.

We are blessed to have the Health Food Institute as a dedicated sectoral educational foundation. Most retailers operate a stack-based training offering and the HFI provides quality content to act as a solid foundation on which we can each build our chosen layers of training. Having access to brand-specific training to build one of the foundational learnings of where the sector originated, the context in which it operates and the environment in which it must progress is key to building a successful journey within health food retail.

A recent visit to Evergreen’s new HQ/Fulfilment Centre in Galway demonstrated this with their investment in a standalone training room, including hot desks, state-of-the-art audio visual and a giant screen facility for remotely delivered brand presentations and training. Brands and suppliers beware though, Evergreen’s and most retailers stated preference is still for in-person training where possible.

Health Stores Ireland is kicking off a group and term-targeted HFI Diploma 1 course with a view to signing up a cluster class of candidates to start and finish the course together. We will be including a range of support measures for the candidates – from the ubiquitous but essential WhatsApp group to gentle nudges from our facilitator to complete each module in quick-step with the other candidates. The plan is to have all the class of 2024 cross the finish line together in September. There might even be an excuse for a minor knees-up and some casting of mortarboards when we get everyone over the line.

Recent surveys are highlighting the struggle for employers in retaining staff. The health food trade is not immune from this trend. This highlights the need for a strong focus on staff retention, morale building within the workplace and continuous personal and educational growth options for team members. It’s a huge challenge to employers.

Being armed with quality training is essential. Fostering a feeling that we are all part of a unique and valued sector helps too.

Health Stores Ireland is the professional trade association representing more than 110 independent health stores in Ireland. Visit irishhealthstores.com, Facebook @HealthStoresIreland