Industry News

Secret Shopper Award - all will be revealed very soon!

Landing with a fanfare at your business very soon is the latest issue of New Natural Business and in it you'll find the grand announcement of the 2024 Secret Shopper Awards.

Many health food stores now have a fully-functioning online shop to complement their physical shop/s, especially since the pandemic threw so many restrictions in their way.

We've been monitoring these by secretly shopping online and we're finding the best are those with a personal touch and ease-of-use. That certainly applied to our 2024 winner.

Find out which store this was and read their story in our Spring issue.

Veganuary CEO moves on following 2025 success

Veganuary's 2025 campaign review launched on March 10 revealed its phenomenal global impact in which:

A staggering 25.8 million people gave up animal products during January globally, based on surveys commissioned by Veganuary
At least 1,480 new vegan products and menu options were launched worldwide during January
There were more than 12,250 international media mentions of Veganuary
Official Veganuary campaigns launched in Canada, Peru and Malaysia in partnership with local organisations, taking the number of countries with active Veganuary campaigns to 20, while a sister campaign, V-March, was launched by China Vegan Society with support from Veganuary

Stepping down after six years at the Veganuary helm, CEO Ria Rehberg is handing over the top job to Wendy Matthews who has been leading international partnerships and expansion.

Irish health food industry braves the 'storm of the century' for a successful annual event

Against the odds and in the wake of a devastating storm, Health Stores Ireland gathered up their member retailers, trade partners, service providers and advisors for their annual conference and award ceremony in Shannon Co. Clare.

Forty-five trade participants along with over sixty retailers packed out the events hall and it wasn't long before the room was filled with the hum of lively discussion, banter, laughter and no doubt, a few stories of blown-off roofs, fallen trees and blocked roads – none of which did enough to deter the gathering.

A panel discussion with Cheryl Thallon (Viridian), Dave Christie (Take on Goliath) and Joe Gavin (Xcelerate), hosted by dual MCs Finn Murray (Hopsack) and Hannah Dare (Organico) talked through the issues of trends, change and solutions.

The new-look New Natural Business Annual Awards for Retail were presented over a luncheon awards ceremony to winners who were nominated and adjudicated by an independent panel of industry partners.

Winners in each category were:

Merchandising & Window Display: Kim Douglas, Natures Cures Skerries, Co. Dublin
Community Engagement: Clair Whitty, Natural Health Store, Wexford
Training: Kierran and Aideen Hurley Evergreen, Galway
Environmental Initiatives: Hannah Dare, Organico, Bantry
Digital Marketing & Social Media: Finn Murray, The Hopsack, Dubin
Local Producer Champion: Rosemarie Bennis, Sonas Health Foods, Newcastle West

Special recognition awards were presented to:

Sally Smith, Open Sesame, Gort & Ennis, Service to Retail – A true original pioneering spirit and unstoppable force helping to transform her local community and independent retail.

Cheryl Thallon, Viridian Nutrition and Sheaf Street Health Store, Service to Industry for an unwavering commitment in supporting the health food trade and fellow retailers.

Got a mountain to climb?

Hats off to the industry's much-loved independent retailer, Julie Goodwin from Natural Health in Hertford, who climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with the help of natural herbals rather than altitude meds, and achieved a life-enhancing dream!

She reports: "Climbing Kilimanjaro was a life-changing experience I never thought possible. Our guides emphasised staying positive. Chase your bucket list dreams – they are within reach and truly empowering!"

British beauty industry cleans up its act

Launching in March 2025 'The Great British Beauty Clean Up' is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between retailers and brands designed to significantly reduce the amount of waste created by the beauty industry.

According to The British Beauty Council's 'The Courage to Change Report', the beauty industry produces over 120bn units of packaging globally, much of which goes to landfill. In fact, the beauty industry accounts for a whopping 1/3 of all landfill waste and 70% of the beauty industry's plastic waste is not recycled. What's more, research also shows that 56% of people do not recycle their bathroom products, contributing to the mounting waste crisis.

The initiative will focus on increasing industry and consumer awareness and adoption of reuse and refill systems. It is also set to increase recycling rates of beauty empties through spotlighting take-back schemes and household recycling where available. To date, 21 leading retailers and brands have expressed interest in joining.

'The Great British Beauty Clean Up' will officially launch during Waste Week (3rd – 9th March), aligning with Global Recycling Day (18th March) and the United Nations International Day of Zero Waste (30th March).

Jo climbs the charts

Jo Hill, owner of Amaranth Wellbeing in Stockport, is a standout name in the Who’s Who In Natural Beauty listing from Natural Products Online, named as The Ethical Educator for her work among staff and customers.

Top spot went to Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, with Weleda MD Jayn Sterland in second place.

Time to slow down says Ray, 91

Ray Hill, patriarch of the independent health store sector, is to retire from the Health Food Institute council in January.

Founder of the Institute in the late Seventies, Ray’s decided that at 91 it’s time to vacate his dual role of Secretary and Treasurer.

His concept of an organisation to which industry professionals could belong came to fruition in 1979 and subsequently took over the running of the Training School from the (then) National Association of Health Stores.

“It’s always difficult to let go, but one cannot go on for ever. Nature sees to that!” says Ray who was HFI Chairman for many years. “I shall continue to participate in the family businesses on a part time basis as long as I am able to make a contribution.”

Ray trained as a Nature Cure Practitioner in the 1950s and has always had a deep interest in promoting an alternative approach to maintaining health and avoiding illness.

“He has unfailingly provided wise counsel and good advice – helping, guiding and supporting all those who have had the pleasure of working with him,” says HFI administrator Alison Collingwood.

HFI Chairman John Frisby paid this tribute: “Ray will certainly be a hard act to follow. His career started at the outset of the current era of the health food industry back in the 1960s. His input and tireless work within the health food and herbal industries has made a huge impact on where we are today.

“Ray has always promoted knowledge and education as these are the backbone of our industry. As a founding member of the Institute, he has been instrumental in ensuring we maintain a positive image to the general public.

“Working with Ray on the Institute council over the years has been a pleasure – his tireless dedication and detailed input to council matters is unmatched. He will be missed and I, along with the council, wish him a very happy retirement.”

The HFI is now looking to recruit new council members. To find out more about what’s involved, contact Alison Collingwood, email [email protected], tel 0115 9234 534 or 07582 134470.

Extending influence

The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) has extended its Primary Authority Partnership to include the Vale of Glamorgan Council, creating a dedicated partnership for Welsh-devolved matters. HFMA is also in partnership with Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards to enhance regulatory guidance and compliance support across England and Wales.

Health Stores UK aims for business growth

Health Stores UK has welcomed Dave Christie as its new Head of Business Development, a brand new role created by the association to drive future growth and development.

A highly experienced business mentor with a deep knowledge and experience of the independent health food channel, Dave takes on the new role with immediate effect.

Welcoming him to his new role, Health Stores UK chair, Len Glenville, said: "We are delighted that Dave is joining us in this exciting new role. Dave's business Take on Goliath is already a Partner of the Association, and he has made a fantastic contribution over the last 18 months hosting webinars, offering unique 'insider' advice to members and helping us out at key trade shows. As Head of Business Development, I am confident Dave will bring new energy and insight to Health Stores UK, helping us build new partnerships and strengthening our influence with key industry stakeholders."

Commenting on his appointment, Dave said: "For me personally this is a great opportunity as I am so passionate about helping independent businesses. More than anything it's an opportunity to help those businesses rise up, to protect our high streets – both the retailers and the specialist brands who work tirelessly to give this fantastic offering to our customers – and support them more effectively and credibly, so we can grow our businesses together".