Following the appointment of new PM Boris Johnson, bira is challenging Government to resolve ‘on-going issues that are burdening independent businesses’
Johnson urged to fix ‘broken business rates system’
August 8, 2019 Continue Reading
independent retailers
Power Health expands operations
Family-run health and wellbeing product manufacturer Power Health is eyeing future growth with a major facilities expansion.
May 9, 2019 Continue Reading
Organic sector set to be worth £2.5BN by 2020
The UK organic market is now worth £2.33 billion following sales growth of 5.3% in 2018, according to the Soil Association Organic Market Report 2019.
February 12, 2019 Continue Reading
HTC Health introduces gummy vitamins for indies
Bulk health supplements supplier HTC Health has launched a range of new gummy supplements, catering to the increased demand for soft gel delivery formats.
October 23, 2018 Continue Reading
Definitive Market Report offers food and drink insight
Launched at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, a 2018 Speciality Market Report has been published offering unique insights into the UK artisan food and drink industry.
September 20, 2018 Continue Reading
Making the most of Organic September
Organic September is on its way, and there are plenty of opportunities for retailers to shout about the benefits of organic to help grow the market, promote their businesses and increase sales in the process.
July 16, 2018 Continue Reading
A chance to ‘talk shop’ with NAHS and bira
The recent partnership between the National Association of Health Stores (NAHS) and the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) will be further strengthened with an exclusive at Natural & Organic Products Europe (NPE), when the two organizations will launch a new retailer initiative called Shop Talk.
January 15, 2018 Continue Reading
Soil Association calls on indie retailers
In preparation for the compilation of its 2018 Organic Market Report, the Soil Association is asking for input from independent retailers.
October 20, 2017 Continue Reading
Health stores see sales and footfall rise, but Brexit fears temper business optimism for some
Health food retailers saw average customer spend and footfall rise in 2016 but fears over rates and rents and the impact of Brexit have dampened business optimism for some, the latest NPN survey of natural products retailers shows.
April 6, 2017 Continue Reading
Nature’s Own supports indie retailers
In a move that demonstrates its strong support for independent health stores, supplements brand Nature’s Own is no longer selling its products direct to consumers.
March 22, 2017 Continue Reading
EU funding success for international campaign
An EU grant worth €10.4m has been secured by the Organic Trade Board in partnership with Organic Denmark, to support a campaign to promote organic food.
January 13, 2017 Continue Reading
Independent retailers underusing the internet
Independent retailers are underusing the Internet in their business with wholesalers and suppliers, a new survey has found.
August 18, 2016 Continue Reading
Wake Up To Organic embraced by indie retailers
The 2016 Wake Up To Organic campaign got a great response from independent retailers, with over 70 stores across the country taking part – 20 more than last year.
June 21, 2016 Continue Reading
Planet Organic and Riverford break into Top 50 Indies
Planet Organic and Riverford are both ‘new entries’ this year in the Grocer magazine’s annual Top 50 Independents rankings. The Grocer’s top 50 indies rankings are based on turnover and require businesses to be at least 50% owned by management or family. Riverford Organic appears at number 24, with sales of £47.2m and pre-tax profits […]
March 9, 2016 Continue Reading
Organic September: a retailer’s perspective
This year’s Organic September was a great success but there’s always room for more independent stores to get stuck in. So what’s in it for retailers and why should they bother getting involved? “They’d be mad not to,” says Katy Mansell-Carter, marketing manager, The Better Food Company, who talked to NPN about her experience of […]
October 30, 2015 Continue Reading
Botanical Brands creates natural beauty packages for retailers
A range of cost-effective opening packages for independent retailers wanting to grow their natural beauty offers has been introduced by Botanical Brands. The brands on offer are Natural Being – a nine-strong manuka honey face and bodycare range from New Zealand; Lippy Girl vegan lipstick from Canada, made from organic and wildcrafted natural oils and […]
August 4, 2015 Continue Reading
The UK wakes up to organic!
The Organic Trade Board’s (OTB) Wake up to Organic campaign took place on 17 June and was a resounding success, with a host of independent retailers joining in by offering a free organic breakfast at their stores and hosting in-house events where local bloggers, chefs and ambassadors made appearances and spoke with customers. In Bristol, […]
June 17, 2015 Continue Reading
Organic indie sales growth outperforms multiples
In 2014 growth among independent retailers significantly outpaced that of the supermarkets, according to the recently published Soil Association Organic Market Report 2015. The report reveals that sales outside multiples rose by 8.7% to £558.6 million, exceeding £10 million a week for the first time and representing 30% of the organic market. A recent Soil […]
March 2, 2015 Continue Reading
Born on the 4 July…
Independents’ Day, the national campaign promoting and celebrating UK independent businesses, is taking place on 4 July this year. Organized by People 1st, the day is designed to give a voice to and raise awareness of independent retailers in their local communities. The campaign, now in its fourth year, also aims to spread the word […]
June 16, 2014 Continue Reading
‘Being more than a shop’ – three retailers’ inspiring stories
CHC policy director and public affairs commentator Chris Whitehouse recently predicted in Natural Products that ‘becoming more than a shop’ could be the independent health food retailer’s biggest single opportunity. By making a stand for health choice and acting as local health information hubs, stores become community assets valued by cash-strapped councils and health authorities […]
April 29, 2014 Continue Reading
News
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Oxford Street Body Shop store reimagined as ‘activist workshop’
The Oxford Street branch of The Body Shop has been transformed into an ‘activist workshop’ as part of its pledge to revive its early campaigning spirit.
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Defra draws up advisory note for organic industry ahead of possible no-deal Brexit
Defra has issued an advisory note for the UK’s organic bodies to distribute among companies in the industry in case of a no-deal exit from Europe.
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Vegans urged to supplement ‘critical’ brain nutrient
Vegans could be at risk of deficiencies of an ‘overlooked’ but important brain nutrient, a prominent nutritionist has warned.
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Rapid uptake of plastic alternatives could increase pollution, MPs warn
The rapid uptake of compostable and biodegradable plastic alternatives could be making marine pollution worse, a committee of Parliamentarians has warned.
Features
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A tale of two toothbrushes
The UK has a problem, and it’s not just the occasional toothache. Rosie Greenaway books an appointment with the dental care industry to find out what attempts are being made to take the plastic out of periodontology (more…)
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No snackisfaction?
Jane Wolfe discovers that consumers are shunning traditional meal times and seeking out tasty but guilt-free, convenient snacks that nutritionally enhance their diet (more…)
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Burned out
Kate Miller talks to the experts about the prevalence of urinary tract infections, old wives’ tales which lead to common misconceptions, and the new smartphone-powered technology which could represent the future of urinalysis (more…)
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Organic September
The UK’s biggest celebration of all things organic is back. Hayley Coristine finds out what’s happening for Organic September this year.
NaturalProducts Sponsored
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Tooth powder as a powerful ally for your dental health
My Oradent tooth powder is neither a drug nor a medicine. Suitable for all consumers and also for vegans and vegetarians. Why in powder form? Studies have shown that tooth powder can be more effective at removing plaque than toothpaste. Plus, My Oradent does not contain fluoride, is non-toxic and is also safe for children. […]
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Garden of Life®
Your body was created to eat, process, and derive its nutrition from food—real, healthy food. Garden of life® are fanatical about food. The core ethos is that they always start with real foods and these (foods) provide the formulas, the power to be at their best. Completely free of any synthetically created, chemical breakthroughs from […]
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The Health Store Open Day is back!
The Health Store’s ever popular Open Day makes a welcome return on Sunday 8th September. Paul Rideout, Sales & Marketing Manager at the Health Store, explains “The Open Day is back by popular demand! This will be our 8th Open Day since we launched the event back in 2009 and it is more popular than […]
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As Europe braces itself for a winter flu outbreak, protect yourself with Sambucol and the power of black elderberry.
Experts across Europe have warned the EU to brace itself for a bad flu season this winter. A new vaccine has been produced which is effective in fighting H3N2, the flu strain likely to hit the region this year; however, the vaccine is generally available for free to over 65s, pregnant women, those with an […]
