Since joining Alive Publishing Group (APG) in February 2024, Aaron Alvarez, retail account executive, has played a pivotal role in supporting natural health retailers across the country by connecting them with the Natural Product Advisor course. This training empowers staff to confidently guide customers, identify upsell opportunities, and drive sales growth that ultimately improve the store’s bottom line.

Over the years, Montreal has been the source of many interesting store features in CNHR. Its early health food stores and the pioneers who opened them have a deep and rich history in the city.

 During a recent visit to “the City of Saints,” CNHR conducted one of its classic “pop-in” tours, getting out on the streets and visiting a few stores and a head office location.

 In this first part of the retailer roundtable series from 2025, we will share insights on how retailers are navigating the ongoing tariff fluctuations and challenges in the supply chain. With ongoing uncertainty surrounding the border and tariffs with the US, retailers are choosing to do what they can to provide customers with clarity and choice.

Nicole Rumley had wanted to move her health food store for a long time, but she could not find the right spot.

 Until the day she found the right spot.

With alive Workplace Wellness, our goal is to inspire more people than ever to fall in love with healthy living. The past few years have reinforced the importance of supporting immune health and managing stress. Join us in inspiring your team to reclaim control over their well-being—to make time for that virtual yoga class, to keep baking new things, to prioritize great sleep, and so much more!

In recent years, independent natural health retailers have been engaging with a new kind of shopper: The All-Knowing Consumer. Armed with all the latest product and pricing information the internet has to offer, including customer reviews and ratings, along with countless online opinions about the ideal foods or best natural medicines to take, The All-Knowing Consumer comes to your store, ready to battle.

To better understand the health challenges Canadian women are navigating, CHFA conducted a national study—and the findings point to clear opportunities for solutions.

In this column, Ellen introduces you to Tawnya Ritco. Tawnya Ritco, RHN, is director of marketing at Health First Network. With over 20 years in natural health, she leads initiatives that empower independent retailers and strengthen healthier communities across Canada.

In Ontario’s Richmond Hill, an amazing youth-powered project is transforming a simple patch of land into a thriving community hub! The Kids Right to Know community garden, led by environmental advocate Rachel Parent, is more than a garden—it’s a movement. Supported by the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation (among other donors), this vibrant space grows fresh food, future leaders, and a sense of optimism.

In a year marked by trade tensions, including tariffs and supply chain challenges, one thing remains steady: consumer trust in certified organic. The Canada Organic Regime (COR) logo continues to signal quality, care, and credibility. Several initiatives are happening behind the scenes so that businesses can continue meeting growing consumer demand for healthy, sustainable organic food.

When Nature’s Emporium announced the appointment of Steve Hollingsworth as thes new CEO in August 2025, it marked the first time in the company’s 32-year history that it would be led by someone whose last name is not D’Addario.

I think I’ve told this story a hundred times now. Maybe a thousand.

Driven by a mission to enhance lives through better health, Living Alchemy is proud to introduce The Living Alchemy Book of Fermentation.

Johnny Larocque, director of sales for St. Francis Herb Farm, has announced changes to the sales team.

Celebrate 50 years of alive with a cookbook that’s more than just recipes, but a fresh way to connect your customers with the whole-food lifestyle they’re already passionate about.