Retailers scoop coveted awards

Always a highlight of Natural & Organic Products Europe, the Natural and Organic Awards are one of the rare opportunities that we, as an industry, get to celebrate the thousands of hardworking independent health store retailers.

The three retailer focused awards single out stores that, aside from successfully trading through good and bad times, also promote staff training, innovative store promotion, customer service, product selection and overall best practice.

Scooping the NAHS Retailer of the Year Award, proactive retailer Julie Goodwin from Natural Health in Hertford thanked both the industry and her customers for the support shown to her and the store: “I feel really delighted to win the award, as there are some fantastic health stores out there — and also thank you for all your support over the last few years as well.”

The award for Best Organic Retailer, meanwhile, went to Seasalt Ltd, while the Best Independent Retailer award was received by Bristol-based Better Food Company.

“This award is really fantastic, and so significant for us. Organic retailing has taken quite a knock from the media over the past year, so it’s great to come back with something so positive,” said the Better Food Company’s Lucy Gatward. “We always work hard and face forward but it’s great to get the acknowledgement for it. And it’s great to be able to say you’re an award-winning local retailer!”