Survival Tips for Independent Stores in an Ever Changing Market
Twenty years ago, shopping in a natural foods market was considered quite “alternative”. Customers only went there if they were “sick” or needed a...
3 Keys To An Educated Staff
For independent retailers seeking to compete in a mass-market world, differentiating ourselves through customer service and an educated staff has become more important than...
Streamlining Systems Helps Local Organic Market Crunch Time
Embarking on an adventure known as opening and owning a natural grocery store leaves one open to questions, comments and conversation: questions of disbelief,...
Standing with Our Organic Farmers
(This piece was originally published in a newsletter from Whole Earth Center, Princeton, NJ)
A recent report on organic food and beverage shoppers suggests that...
Trust
Our customers trust us, and that is no small thing. And because they trust us, they trust the companies we trust. “If you’re stocking...
The Value of Sales Representatives
New faces walk through our doors all the time, most are customers, many are old friends and a few are there to represent a...
Looking for the Exit
Like many independent retailers in our industry, I started my business fueled by a passion to help people with safe natural options to live...
The New Marketing Tool
As a retailer, there are so many hats to wear, it is often daunting to "do it all." Between all issues that relate to...