News
Welcome to our round-up the latest news on the natural and organic industry.
An additional archive of coverage of Health Stores UK activities can be found here at the Natural Newsdesk site.
Mastermind Forum prompts lively exchange on hot retailing issues
Retailers joined host Cheryl Thallon last week for another lively Health Store Mastermind Forum. Each session begins with retailers being asked about the issues that
Chancellor’s NI cut prompts optimism about consumer spending
Health Stores UK shares the view of the wider retail industry that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s 2024 Spring Budget offers some grounds for optimism. But the
Bio-nature confirms its on-going support for Health Stores UK
We are delighted that Bio-nature and Terranova have confirmed their ongoing support for Health Stores UK as official Partners. Bio-nature is one of the best
Lively Roundtable programme announced for Manchester NHT Summit
Target Publishing, organiser of the Natural Health Trade Summit, has announced roundtable events for its upcoming Manchester event. Dedicated to independent health food retailers, the
Independents positive about opportunity to grow organic sales
Independent retailers outperformed supermarkets in sales of organic food, wellness and beauty products in 2023. New data contained in the 2024 Soil Association Organic Market report shows
Get ready for Webinar Wednesday!
At Health Stores UK we are creating a new regular slot for our popular online discussion and education programme, currently consisting of our Shop Talk,
Viridian report shines spotlight on ‘not so healthy supplements’
Health Stores UK Partner Viridian Nutrition says it wants to shine a spotlight on hidden ultra processed ingredients and additives in food supplements with its
Queen of Shops: Mary Portas to headline at NOPEX
Natural & Organic Products Expo (NOPEX) has announced that the prominent retail expert, broadcaster, author, and activist, Mary Portas, will headline the trade event on
We welcome two new members with an exciting future
This month we welcome two new members to the association. Natural Choice describes itself as a traditional health food shop and has been established in
How harder working windows can capture new customers
“Your store window should be a conversation starter with the people who walk past your shop every day, but who don’t necessarily come in. Think
Countdown to Manchester NHT Summit begins
The countdown has begun for the 2024 Manchester edition of the Natural Health Trade Summit, which takes place on Sunday 17 March. Dedicated to independent
Health Store Mastermind Forum creates ‘safe space’ for retailers to talk shop
The first in a new series of Health Store Mastermind Forums took place earlier this month, generating a lively, interactive discussion on a range of
Window of opportunity: Unlocking the potential of your shop windows
Shop windows serve as a gateway to new customers, offering stores a prime opportunity to advertise. With hundreds of potential customers passing by each day,
Better Food’s Phil Haughton receives MBE
Phil Haughton, founder of multiple award-winning organic retailer Better Food, has been made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to sustainable
Prioritise resilience and adaptability, Bira urges indies
With difficult trading conditions likely to continue well into 2024, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging owners of independent retail businesses to “prioritise
Understanding ashwagandha
In this article, Health Stores UK partner Olivit explores the history and well-evidenced benefits of ashwagandha used as a natural remedy for a host of
Read yourself healthy in 2024!
Our long-standing Partner, Viridian Nutrition, is offering 10 boxes stuffed full of health and nutrition books for the first 10 stores that join Health Stores
Retailers hear how they can harness the power of social media
Independent health food retailers gained valuable insights into how they can harness the power of social media, during a lively online workshop co-hosted by small
Free resources for indies as Soil Association launches health and wellbeing focused New Year campaign
The Soil Association will begin a PR campaign in January that will focus on organic as part of a healthy lifestyle. Drawing on the growing
Get ready for Health Store Mastermind Forum!
What keeps you awake at night? Need some fresh marketing ideas? Too busy to plan ahead? If this sounds like you, you’ll want to sign
Autumn statement: Business rates relief extension welcome, but small retailers face ever higher costs
Health Stores UK has welcomed aspects of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, but warns that high business costs continue to threaten the viability of crucially needed
Can Yarrow help with IBS?
Here, Kate Harris, a product trainer at Health Stores UK Partner A. Vogel, asks ‘can yarrow help with IBS?’. Kate looks at latest research that has
High street rental auctions could be game-changer
A new government bill that gives local councils powers to run compulsory auctions on vacant shop units could be a “game-changer” says the retail industry
Indies urged to get behind Love Your High Street Week
Independent retailers are being urged to get behind a week-long celebration this month of all things indie. Love Your High Street Week is organised by
Holland & Barrett trials over-the-counter medicines listings
Holland & Barret is trialling sales of over-the-counter medicines and health products in 20 of its stores. The surprise nmove is designed to widen the
NHT Summit organiser donates £2,100 to Health Stores UK
NHT Summit organiser Target Publishing has made a donation to Health Stores UK to help fund its vital work for independent health food retailers. Len Glenville, Health
Supercharge your social media presence!
Social media is one of the most important aspects of a health store’s digital presence. It opens up dialog with existing and prospective customers, conveys
Indies urged to get behind Love Your High Street Week
Independent retailers are being urged to get behind a week-long celebration this month of all things indie. Love Your High Street Week is organised by
Big in 2024: Health and nutrition trends to look out for next year
Around this time of year a barrage of predictions about food, health and nutrition trends is unleashed. In fact, there are so many predictions ricocheting
Lively workshop helps retailers get planning for 2024
A lively online workshop led by small business mentor Dave Christie provided independent health store retailers with a whole range of tips on how to
Spreading the word about Health Stores UK
We were delighted when one our of highly valued Partners, Natural Trade Brokers (NTB), recently offered to help us to spread the word about Health
Bristol NHT Summit proves a hit with retailers
We’ve just packed up after a fantastic NHT Summit, held for the first time Bristol. And what a success it was. The event attracted independent
Where does the FSA’s new guidance on CBD intake leave retailers?
Last week The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued new precautionary advice to consumers on CBD, recommending that healthy adults should limit their consumption of CBD
Calling all Indies – grab yourselves some free advice on Planning for 2024!
With the winter festive selling season in sight, retailers’ thoughts will soon be turning soon to how to maximise business opportunities for 2024. If this
Take out Health Stores UK membership and bag these great offers!
Why should I join Health Stores UK? In short, you’d be nuts not to! But in case our existing package of brilliant membership benefits
See you in Bristol!
The independent health food trade is preparing to gather in just over a week in Bristol for the 2023 edition of the NHT Summit. At Health
Holly shows how to make in-store events a real success
In-store events are a great way to boost store footfall and increase customer spend. But they benefit from good planning, smart marketing and buy-in from
Interview: “There’s a massive opportunity for indie health stores , and I want to help them seize it!”
Business coach Dave Christie is the founder of small business mentoring specialist Take on Goliath. Specialising in family-run and independent businesses, Dave also has a
Health Stores UK helps indie retailers ‘Take on Goliath’
Health Stores UK is partnering with leading small business mentoring specialist Take on Goliath, in a move designed to help members grow their business and be
Health stores at heart of new healthy kids campaign
Health Stores across the UK and Ireland are at the centre of a new collaboration between the ‘Wholefood Chef’ Oliver McCabe and Viridian Nutrition aimed
Olivit ‘excited’ at new partnership with Health Stores UK
Health Stores UK has welcomed prominent supplements distributor Olivit to its Partner programme. Olivit offers products from a roster of over 50 in-demand US brands,
Go West: Registration opens for 2023 NHT Summit
Registration has opened for the 2023 Natural Health Trade (NHT) Summit, which will take place on Sunday 8 October in Bristol. This is the first
‘Exciting opportunity’ – Devizes health food institution goes up for sale
Long-standing Devizes retailer – and Health Stores UK member – The Healthy Life has gone up for sale, offering a “exciting opportunity” to develop and
Multivitamin improves memory in older adults, US study finds
Taking a daily multivitamin supplement can slow age-related memory decline, a large UK study has found. The researchers, led by teams at Columbia University and
Viridian ‘honoured’ to receive King’s Award for Enterprise
Viridian Nutrition says it is honoured to receive the “royal seal of approval” in the form of prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. The family-run supplement
‘How to Open & Run a Successful Health Store’ – first-of-its-kind book is co-published by Cheryl Thallon and Health Stores UK
April 16th sees the publication of a new book, How to Open and Run a Successful Health Store a collaboration between Health Stores UK, and committee member,
Health Stores UK announces packed programme of events for NOPEX
Health Stores UK will have a major presence at this weekend’s NOPEX event (16-17 April), including a packed programme of events on our stand (K65)
Spring Budget: Health Stores UK welcomes more positive outlook but is disappointed at lack of fresh business support
Health Stores UK welcomes the more positive economic outlook outlined by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in his Spring Budget this week, but is disappointed at the absence of fresh support for small retail businesses who continue to struggle with exceptionally challenging trading conditions.
HFMA highlights role of vitamin D supplements as cost of nutrient rich foods rises sharply
The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) has highlighted the role of vitamin D and other supplements in safeguarding against dietary deficiencies as food costs rise.
NHT Summit heads for Bristol
The 2023 Natural Health Trade Summit will take place in Bristol (8 October) – a hub for all things organic, natural and ethical – organiser Target Publishing has announced.
Faith in Nature announces partnership with Health Stores UK
Faith In Nature has announced it’s now a patron of Health Stores UK in a sponsorship designed to support the growth and success of the nation’s indie health stores.
Health Stores UK urges brands to flag up indie health stores
In a new initiative which aims to promote specialist retailers, Health Stores UK is urging natural and organic brands to clearly highlight in their advertising when products are available in independent health stores.
To this end, Health Stores UK has designed a series of badges featuring the phrase ‘Available From Independent Health Stores’ that brands can use in their consumer and trade ad campaigns.
New Chancellor must support indies, says Health Stores UK
Health Stores UK is calling upon new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, to provide urgent ‘targeted financial support’ for independent retailers. Making a statement yesterday afternoon, Health Stores UK said: “Earlier today, the Chancellor announced that he would abandon virtually all of the controversial tax cuts announced by his predecessor, Kwasi Kwarteng, in last month’s mini-budget.”
Daily Express: Best supplements for arthritis: Two pills shown to reduce inflammation and symptoms
Common arthritis symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion in the joints. Symptoms may come and go and can be either mild,
The Edinburgh News: Top 10 gut symptoms experienced by Brits
More than a third of Brits think they might have an undiagnosed condition with their gut – but refuse to go to the doctor. A
The Daily Express: Vitamin B12 deficiency: A type of body pain may signal you have low B12 levels
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Given
The Daily Express: Energy boosting vitamins: The best supplements to stop tiredness
Iron is essentially important in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. While most people will get all the iron they need