In the 1960s, as the world worried about a population explosion that would cause global food shortages, chemical companies reassured Americans that, with technology, we could synthesize in a test tube all the food we need. A large swath of the Baby Boom generation—just coming of age and already skeptical...
You, the independent natural products retailer, are used to helping older shoppers address chronic health issues of aging. But today, younger generations—millennials, ages 25 to 39; and Gen Z, young adults just reaching their 20s—are rethinking their views on health and wellness as they suffer prematurely from chronic stress, anxiety,...
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While total U.S. retail food stores grew 2% in 2018, natural organic products grew 5.26%—more than 2.5 times the rate. New natural organic food sales totaled $4.15 billion, or nearly one third (31.7%) of the $13.1 billion total new retail food dollars sold in the U.S. in 2018. Put another...
At the beginning of the year, you must decide where to focus your time and money for the best return. And this year may feel the most challenging yet. Should you invest in raising your social media profile? Should you expand your fresh and prepared foods departments? Should you...
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In December, we reported excerpts from our conversation with Michael Kanter, co-founder 45 years ago of Cambridge Naturals, in Cambridge, MA. Michael was one of the pioneers of the Buy Local movement there and told us the first thing he did was educate himself on why buying local was important...
As a small, independent natural products retailer, there’s a lot you can’t do. You can’t carry the broad assortment of natural and organic perishable foods your competitors do. You can’t offer 2-hour delivery, and you can’t compete on price, to name a few. What you can do—and what every health...
In September, we outlined the most important steps we believe you need to take to get your store ready for a successful sale. To quickly recap, and expand on these ideas: 1. Detach yourself emotionally from the value of your business, so that you can negotiate effectively with prospective buyers,...
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There is a lot of talk today about energy efficiency in store design, from enclosed recirculating heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, to low-emissions refrigeration systems, and lighting. And who is against reducing Earth’s atmospheric carbon load? But here’s the thing: of all your store’s systems, lighting may have the...
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are like the majority of owners of U.S. independent natural organic products stores, you are the founder. You may have started your store 20, 30 or more years ago. If you are thinking about selling, this means you probably don’t have children interested in, or capable of, taking...
Next month, Amazon will reach its first anniversary owning Whole Foods Market. How’s it doing so far? As we expected, Amazon will not spend a lot of time giving us specific results for its Whole Foods unit, which makes up less than 10% of Amazon’s total sales. In what appears...
