Ireland celebrates ‘vibrant and enterprising’ retail sector

Health Stores Ireland
Health Stores Ireland

The best of Ireland’s independent health food retailers have again been recognized in the Health Stores Ireland/Better Retailing Magazine Retailer Awards presented at Vitality Expo in Dublin at the weekend.

“The awards showcase the best elements from a vibrant and enterprising independent retail sector in Ireland,” says Alan McGrath, national organizer for Health Stores Ireland. “All the awards are presented, and graciously received, as a collective recognition of the sector’s achievements as well as some outstanding individual accomplishments.”

Presented by industry experts including Dr Rob Verkerk (Alliance for Natural Health), Dr Marilyn Glenville and Patrick Holford, the five top health store awards went to: Here’s Health, Cork (Innovation and Business Development); Blásta Wholefoods, Dungarvan (Community Engagement); Evergreen, Galway (Training & Education); The Aloe Tree, Ennistymon (Environmental Initiatives); and Organico, Bantry (Digital Marketing).

The awards showcase the best elements from a vibrant and enterprising independent retail sector in Ireland

Special Commendations in each category went to Food For Life, Kilkenny, and Health Matters, Dublin and Wicklow (Innovation & Business Development); Fruit ‘N Nut Place, Portlaoise, and Only Natural, Wexford (Community Engagement); Simple Simon’s, Donegal and Solero Viva, Tipperary (Training & Education); Loop de Loop, Castletownbere and Healing Harvest, Kinvara (Environmental Initiatives); Horan’s, Tralee and Evergreen, Galway (Digital Marketing).

The Pat Curran Award for Excellence In Service, voted for by the readers of Rude Health magazine, was presented to Teresa Callaghan, owner Healthy Beings, Strokestown, County Roscommon.

Pictured: Dr Marilyn Glenville with Polly Morgan of Evergreen