The best testing methods for herbal supplements—and why DNA barcoding may fall short of the mark.In early February, consumers who bought herbal supplements in New York were left wondering, “Was that really St. John’s Wort in my bottle?” NY Attorney General (NYAG) Eric T. Schneiderman announced DNA testing of herbal...
Why ancient grains are sprouting extra sales at retail.Ancient grains have achieved strong recognition from mainstream and natural shoppers alike. Here’s what you need to know about some of the hottest grains on the market. Grains on the Brain If shoppers think the term “ancient grains” is just marketing lingo,...
Jam-packed lanes. Backups forcing long lines of people to inch forward at a snail’s pace. Rubber-necking at something surprising on the sidelines. Nope, I’m not talking about my typical commute on New Jersey’s notoriously crowded highways. I’m describing the busiest aisles of Natural Products Expo West 2015, held March 5–8...
Help shoppers pick the best weight-management products for them.“To thine own self be true,” may be one of the most famous lines from Hamlet, and it’s good advice for the weight management category. For years, the concept of “healthy weight management” has butted heads with those “lose 10 pounds in...
Making your store the pick of the litter.What do more than half of your shoppers have in common with each other? Pets! About 62% of U.S. households own at least one pet, and 47% percent have at least one dog, according to The Humane Society. Incorporating some pet care items...
I was driving to the office one Tuesday morning when I heard a news report that ended up occupying my attention for the week to come. Results from DNA testing of herbal supplements—requested by New York’s attorney general Eric Schneiderman—painted a dark picture of the supplement industry. Several store brand...
Advice for targeting marketing efforts to the various generations.Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe, CA, once ran a television/radio advertising campaign that involved three different jingles. The first featured Beach Boys-esque music and a deep male voiceover. The second was reminiscent of a 1980s female soloist and included an energetic male voiceover...
Ideas for making tea, coffee and drinking chocolate sizzle in your store.Are your food demos and store promotions getting stale? Consider highlighting some of the hottest drinks on the market: coffee, tea and drinking chocolate. Here is some fun and important information to share with shoppers when showing them off.
Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO ProjectThe natural products industry is host to a treasure trove of creative, intelligent and dedicated individuals that contribute to its success daily. This year, WholeFoods Magazine is starting a tradition of naming a Natural Products Industry Person of the Year, someone we believe...
Suppliers talk traceability, research and costs. Finished products makers looking to buy from a new raw materials supplier—or make sure their current partners are still up to snuff—have a lot of important questions that need answers. Three areas of special concern are ingredient quality traceability, research backing and supply/costs. Several...
