Retailer Roundtable: What social media do you use, and is it effective?
Learn how retailers are using sites like Facebook and Twitter to draw in customers.

Retail excellence: Stores we love
Looking for a store tour or a store we have highlighted in the past year? Click here to learn about different stores across the country and what they're doing well.

 

Produce is perfect for picnics
Make your store picnic headquarters and help customers keep fresh produce on the menu with a few well-thought-out displays.
 

Retailer Roundtable: What surprised you in a positive way about 2009?
Find out what products and trends helped other retailers through a rough year.


 

Retailer Roundtable: How do you stay up-to-date in the industry?
We asked our retailers what tools they use to stay aware of what is going on in the natural foods industry. Whether the it's Internet, magazines or checking out the competition, this article will help provide you with ideas to keep up with the times.


 

Top 10 events to attend in 2010
If you're a natural products retailer, chances are you've been to a few events. Narrow down your choices this year with our favorite shows, conventions and expos.


7 winning sales strategies
For retailers faced with a slow economy and super cost–conscious customers, the sale’s the thing. But choosing items to discount, amounts to take off and ways to promote them play a big role in any successful sale.

Going local: Labeling and support programs in your area
Many organizations are taking the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s country-of-origin labeling one step further with a special label for local products. Retailers can take advantage of these programs to help market local products to their customers.

Ingredients going green
The natural products industry is no stranger to eco-friendly practices, such as sourcing organic ingredients or using recyclable packaging. But suppliers and manufacturers that really want to be green through and through are going farther by reducing their use of resources like electricity, water and materials. Here are some examples.

Beyond the seafood case
Guide your customers to cornucopia of omega-3s.

Ingredients to detox the healthy way
When it's time to cleanse customers will come to you for supplies. Here are some cleansing herbs to help you get ready.

Eating for two: Ten pregnancy superfoods for total nutrition
We round up the latest nutritional advice and provide marketing tips to make reaching this unique demographic easy. Here's how to to take care of your pregnant customers now, for lasting relationships down the road.

Postcard from New Zealand
Seven reasons naturals' consumers are beginning to take note.

6 terms to know: minerals
A brief guide to six important minerals to keep bones strong, heart's happy and immune system's healthy.

20 top supplements
We wanted to find out which supplements show the most promise for customers’ top health concerns, such as brain health, digestive health, immunity, allergies and sleep. Within each condition, we designated a standout supplement that had the most support from experts and research.

7 sweeteners to know
Consumers have a sweet tooth. According to SPINS, a Schaumburg, Ill.-based market research company, the fastest-growing category within natural products stores for the 24 weeks ending in September 2009 was sweeteners.

Medicinal mushrooms species roundup
When customers search for condition-specific remedies, whether it’s immune support or healthy cholesterol levels, the medicinal mushroom section may not be their first stop. But maybe it should. Through most of human history, mushrooms were an important component in healing practices.

Tasteful Meals
Here are the top six flavors for 2010, as identified by Chicago-based market research firm Mintel, along with chefs’ suggestions on how to add them to your prepared foods and drinks.

Cosmeceuticals take on superfruits
The same nourishing qualities that these superfruits and plants offer when eaten also boost the skin’s health and beauty when used topically. 

Rice products to stock
From precooked to traditional products, rice is a gluten-free and flavorful food that appeals to the nonallergic consumer as well. Here are some newer versions of this dietary staple.

Stock up now: nondairy ice cream
Consumers shirking dairy for dietary or ethical reasons are not passing up the pint. In the natural channel, nondairy dessert sales were up almost 18 percent between March 2009 and March 2010, according to Schaumberg, Ill.-based market research firm SPINS. Here are some options to stock.

Class Acts
Six products to stock for school children.

Product picks: back-to-school supplements
How can your shoppers ensure that their children get a smart start to the upcoming school year? You can help by learning about—and stocking—key supplements to boost brain power, improve immunity and soothe stress. Here are top product picks in each category.

Stock up now: gourmet products
Intrigue customer with gourmet foods going a bit more natural and natural foods with a decidedly gourmet flair.

Stock up now: baby products
Are you looking for a way to pump up your personal care sales? Consider focusing on your youngest customers. in 2008, sales of natural baby personal care products rose 18 percent from 2007, according to a report by Nutrition Business Journal.
 

Stock up now: relaxation beverages
Shoppers aren't laid back when it comes to buying "slow drinks": sales spiked 14 percent in the natural channel in 2009, according to Schaumberg, Ill.-based market research firm SPINS. here are some brands to watch.

Healthy aging: skin care update
The baby boomer consumer is more interested in natural than synthetic antiaging ingredients, so the opportunity to offer trusted antiaging beauty products to customers is rife. Here are the latest trends in this burgeoning beauty category.

Stock up now: natural sports drinks
According to Chicago-based research firm Mintel, in the past five years, 11 million adults started drinking sports beverages. Naturals manufacturers have responded with a cascade of waters, smoothies, juices and powders designed to target everybody from Sunday morning amblers to professional bodybuilders.

Tasteful Meals: Packaged Foods
Don't have a deli? Steer customers to these packaged foods that use this year's trendy flavors.

Stock up now: summer travel products
Eight products to keep your customers happy all summer.

Personal Care Guide: Products to Stock
Stock up on these personal care items for men, women and children.
Personal Care Guide: Skin Care
Three personal care products for your skin.

Personal Skin Care: Bath
Three products to help your customers pamper themselves in the tub.

Personal Care Guide: Men
Two products designed for men.

Personal Care Guide: Sun Protection
Two products to keep you safe in the sun.

Personal Care Guide: Hair Care
Three products to keep hair healthy.

Personal Care Guide: Kids
Two products for babies and teens.

Personal Care Guide: Makeup
Two products to make your customers feel glamorous.

Personal Care Guide: Oral Care
Three products to keep breath fresh and teeth white.

Exploring Anaheim
After leaving the show floor, most attendees can be described in one word: weary. Don’t let your sore feet and busy schedule keep you from getting out to enjoy Expo’s host city, though. Natural products fans can find healthy, homegrown fun in and around Anaheim.

Sneak peek: Manufacturing plant tour
Ever wondered how vitamins are made? What a food production line looks like? What makes a facility green? On Saturday, March 13, at noon, Expo attendees will have the opportunity to answer all these questions and more on the first-ever Manufacturing Plant Tour, which will visit three local facilities. 

Expo West Product Preview
Spoiler alert! Expo West can be a tempting mix of products, seminars, speakers and parties. Make the most of your time on the show floor with this sneak peek at these products.

Organic Wine and Beer Festival
Attendees sampled beverages from across the globe during the 7th annual event which took place in The Grand Ballroom of the Anaheim Marriott.

Welcome Reception for Expo attendees
Sponsored by New Zealand, the reception featured traditional Maori musicians and many happy listeners.

OFRF luncheon
Attendees heard speeches from organic advocates and dined on fare from area chefs at the nearly sold-out event.

Retail Store Tour
A photographic tour of three natural products stores in Southern California.

Expo West show floor setup
Show floor exhibitors spent Thursday afternoon putting the finishing touches on booths in preparation for Expo West.

Editors' Picks: Fresh Ideas Marketplace
Before the show floor opened at Expo West, the Fresh Ideas Marketplace was the place to see new products making a splash.

Editors' Picks: Friday
Check out these fun, fabulous new products on the Expo West show floor.

Editors' Picks: Saturday
Check out these fun, fabulous new products on the Expo West show floor.

Editors' Picks: Sunday
Great products from the show floor that impressed our editors' eyes and taste buds.