independent natural retailers | WholeFoods Magazine

Mastel’s Health Foods to Live On With New Ownership

April 4, 2023

Ownership of Mastel’s Health Foods, an independently owned health food store, is being taken over by general manager Lauren Gaffney and marketing manager Alina Hornfeldt.

What happened Last Year….and 4 Predictions for 2022

December 28, 2021

Jay Jacobowitz

The consumer drives all—including panic buying We must view 2021 through the eyes of the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. Many retailers—of food, clothing, electronics, and more—saw decreases in 2021 without the panic-driven hoarding that boosted 2020 sales. Because of this sales anomaly, many retailers preferred to compare their 2021 results to...

The Special Touch that Sets Independents Apart

October 25, 2021

Maggie Jaqua

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For successful independent natural products retailers, it’s the personal touch that makes the difference. That’s certainly the case for Marlene’s Market & Deli, WholeFoods Magazine’s 2021 Retailer of the Year. “Marlene’s journey to 45 years of a successful business is about people,” says Lisa Gebhardt, daughter of Founder Marlene Beadle...

Whither Independents?

August 27, 2021

Jay Jacobowitz

Why do some independents succeed while others struggle? There’s no single success formula, but clues emerge as we scan the retail landscape. An Outmoded Business Model When thinking about business models, it’s useful to take a generational view. GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe, the two largest U.S. pure-play vitamin chain...

Independent Retailers Invest in Education at SENPA's 2019 Road Show

August 22, 2019

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

New Port Richey, FL—SENPA's 5th Annual Strategies for Success Road Show, which took place from May to August, was a success, with more than 40 independent natural retailers in attendance and 80 attendees, according to an announcement from SENPA. For those who couldn't attend, SENPA broadcast Facebook Live from various...

Get Your Share of the $11.44 Billion

April 16, 2019

WholeFoods Magazine Staff

U.S. independent natural retailers sold $11.44 billion in 2018--which is a fraction (13.76%) of the $83.2 billion in natural organic sales sold through all eight retail and food-store channels. To help ensure independent retailers get their share and stay competitive, WholeFoods Magazine editor-in-chief Maggie Jaqua and merchandising editor Jay Jacobowitz...