It was not so many years ago when our industry was divided and in turmoil—caused primarily by the federal government’s desire to clarify and impose a stricter regulatory standard to our products.

 If you were around back then, you can remember how people were clearly on one side or the other. It was a very unsettling time.

 Today, a different federal government—this one from south of the 49th—has caused confusion and turmoil in our industry and in our country, with its desire to impose tariffs.

The alive editorial team was out in full force at CHFA NOW Vancouver—attending seminars, networking at industry events, and exploring the latest innovations on the show floor.

When I was growing up, local health food stores were the undisputed pioneers of wellness. Long before modern medicine began noticing and discussing the preventative benefits of micronutrients, our local health shops were educating the public about their value, supporting the idea that providing the body with proper nutrition is the key to vibrant living.

Following the acquisition of CanPrev Natural Health Products by Canadian-based global health company Apotex, CanPrev founders Tanya and Franco Salituro see a bright future for the company they founded 20 years ago, and by extension, for natural health retailers.

Jan Janzen, the Natural Factors sales representative for Manitoba and Northwest Ontario, retired at the end of January 2025, after more than two decades of dedicated service.

Canada, the fifth-largest organic market globally, continues to lead the way in environmentally conscious practices. With 66 percent of Canadians purchasing organic products weekly, Organic Month is the perfect opportunity to connect with consumers, support farmers, and showcase a commitment to sustainability.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into almost every industry, from healthcare to finance. Natural health retailers, take note: it might seem intimidating, but AI presents a huge opportunity for small businesses to succeed. Here’s how you can use AI to grow without needing more resources (yes, really!).

CHFA NOW Toronto is back, and this year’s event promises to be the most exciting yet! From September 19 to 21, 2025, the Enercare Centre in Toronto will transform into the ultimate hub for the natural, organic, and wellness (NOW) industry.

UNFI Canada Innovation Showcase 2025 took place on January 29 in Vaughan, Ontario, bringing together industry leaders and innovators. Ryan Benn, CEO of Alive Publishing Group, kicked off the morning session with a keynote address.

In my previous article, I began to talk about the two ways to grow a business:

• create new customers

• sell more to your current customer base

 To grow further, I recommend you first establish an emotional connection among the people who work in the business.

 The emotional tone of your business—the sales floor ‘vibe’—is determined by the connection the owner, management, and team share. 

For any reader with aspirations of someday owning their own health food store, or for those of you who are starting to think about a succession plan, you might be interested in learning about this Quebec store that planned and then executed a perfect transition.

By supporting a local school garden, you can directly support a healthier generation of young students and contribute to your own community. Your donation of either treasure, time, or talent will not only nurture learners who’ll become leaders, but also deepen your connection to the community.

Alive Publishing Group (APG) is thrilled to announce the addition of Adam Rahiman as the new senior account executive, advertising sales. Adam joined the team in December 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a dynamic approach to sales strategy.

Natural retailers are facing new challenges and opportunities when it comes to educating their customers. In this final part of the retailer roundtable series from 2024, we will share insights on consumer education and its impact on natural health retailers.

 At the 2024 CHFA NOW, held in Vancouver, retailers were encouraged to participate and share their experiences in an idea exchange during a retailer roundtable. Attending retailers were split into five groups and each group was asked a question about a pressing issue impacting the natural health retail industry—rent inflation, vendor relations, supply chain, ethical initiatives and sustainability practices, and consumer education. This issue’s summary is the last of those five discussions.

 In the March-April 2025 issue of CNHR, we discussed the topic of “ethical practices and sustainability initiatives” in detail. In this final part of the retailer roundtable series, we will share insights on consumer education and its impact on natural health retailers.