The main event

ExCeL, London, hosts Europe’s biggest natural and organic trade event on April 2-3.

It’s looking good for a bumper Natural & Organic Products Europe 2017.

According to the latest research by Mintel, the market for vitamins and supplements is in good health. In the UK alone, nearly half of British adults are daily vitamin and mineral users (46% in 2016, compared to 41% in 2015), while as many as 65% had taken some form of vitamins or supplement either daily or occasionally in the last year.

And it’s not just multivitamins that are proving popular with consumers, although they are still the top seller. Increasing health awareness across all ages is fuelling demand for more targeted health solutions and products that are designed to proactively support their nutritional wellbeing and complement their active lifestyles.

This demand has boosted UK sales of vitamins and dietary supplements up to £879.3m in 2015, according to Euromonitor International’s latest data.

Solgar, Viridian Nutrition, BioCare, A.Vogel, Higher Nature, Terranova, and Salus UK are among the big name supplements brands preparing to exhibit at the biggest European event for natural and organic products, attracting natural health retailers and distributors from around the world.

Retailers that can be quick to adapt to the latest innovations and research have much to gain. Key trends to look out for include products and services aimed at the over 80s, and brands that understand the needs of the ‘woman in the middle’ – the woman caring for their children and their elderly parents, according to Cheryl Thallon, MD of Viridian Nutrition.

Based on a strong performance in 2016, organic, gluten-free, and vegan will continue to enjoy further market expansion, while natural plant-based ingredients – echoing consumer preferences in other categories, like food, beauty and household – are also expected to feature prominently in new product formulations for 2017.

“Consumers are increasingly aware of needing to read the labels of their supplement jars, as much as they read the labels of their food,” comments Henrietta Norton, cofounder of Wild Nutrition.

“This increased awareness is driving a growing attraction to more naturally derived products. Education is the pivotal piece in all of this, helping the consumer to navigate and understand the natural health market, so that they can make informed and individual decisions to support their health.”

The show’s 700+ strong exhibitor list includes PhD Nutrition, Bee Health, G & G Vitamins, New Nordic, The Natural Health Practice, Wiley's Finest, Comvita UK, Abundance and Health, Optibac, BetterYou, Pharma Nord UK, Floradix, Renew Life UK, Natures Aid, Quest Vitamins, Natures’ Plus UK, Pukka Herbs, Protexin (Bio- Kult and Lepicol), Nutristrength, Wild Nutrition, Natures Well Labs, Motion Nutrition, Purition, Chris James Mind Body, ImproveMe, Just For Tummies, Soria Natural, Vitae Natural Nutrition, Nutrisan, and Althae Nutrition.

The Better Retailing team will be at Natural & Organic Products Europe 2017 – come and see us on Stand K60.

At the podium

Retailers looking to back up these new product innovations with the latest research and advice for their customers should head to the show’s Natural Products Talks Theatre. Some of the latest additions to the line-up include Patrick Holford; Dr Marilyn Glenville; Chris Newbold, head of clinical nutrition/technical advisor at BioCare; Graham Botfield, founder of Living Nutrition; Sebastian Pole, co founder of Pukka Herbs; Lisa Bronner from Dr Bronner’s Magic Soaps; Ella Woodward, founder of the popular blog ‘Deliciously Ella’; and nutritionist Shona Wilkinson, discussing the latest trends from the USA.

Jim Manson, editor of Natural Products News, hosts a series of lively panel debates, including an exclusive ‘Brexit Question Time’, discussing the implications of Brexit for natural products businesses. He’ll be joined by the HFMA’s executive director Graham Keen, Patrick Ahern, director general of EHPM (European Federation of Health Products Manufacturers Associations), and Robert Verkerk, executive & scientific director, Alliance for Natural Health International.

Meanwhile, over in the Natural Food Kitchen, the first GP chef to present at N&OPE is Dr Rupy Aujla from The Doctor's Kitchen, (pictured above) who will emphasise the physiology of healthy food choices.

Show opening hours

Sun 2nd April 9.30-18:00

Mon 3rd April 9.30-17.00

Free Trade Registration