Retail community seeks ‘new recruits’

Industry association Health Stores UK is recruiting a new wave of ‘healthpreneurs’ – entrepreneurs with a passion for health and wellness – to open their own shops to help address the rising tide of life-threatening illness affecting the UK. 

Faced by a triple-epidemic of obesity, cardiovascular disease and poor mental health, the association says the nation needs would-be retailers to step up and offer this ‘important service’ to their communities.  

“We want to see a thriving independent health store in every town in the UK to bring greater health and happiness to High Streets where there is little or no access to lifestyle advice and support,” says committee member and retailer Cheryl Thallon. “A good independent health food store is the hub of the local community, sharing healthy lifestyle advice. The health store sector offers a great opportunity for those with a passion for all things healthy to create a successful business in their town. Opening a health store is an important service to your community and is also an opportunity to own your own business in this growing sector.”

This drive is part of a ‘wider mission to increase nationwide access to healthier food and nutrition choices in an environment that is caring and supportive’. Underserved towns and regions are being ‘carefully targeted’ after research showed 450 towns with populations over 15,000 currently lack an independent health store.  

Aspiring retailers can kick-start their venture with the help of a 200-page booklet, How to Open and Run a Successful Health Store, authored by Thallon, with insights and practical tips from 12 other store owners.  

Health Stores UK chair Len Glenville says the association has a ‘wealth of knowledge and a team of experienced retailers waiting to advise potential new recruits who join the army of health store owners across the UK’. “These stores are helping to battle the growing health crisis and meet the demands of the public who are increasingly turning to us for help.”

The campaign — ‘Let Us Help You Open Your Own Health Store’ — is sponsored by Viridian Nutrition and supported by a series of social media reels fronted by Thallon and Dave Christie, Health Stores UK’s head of business development, Dave Christie.

By Rosie Greenaway, editor