INSIGHTS Consumer card spending grew by 2.1% year-on-year in August, remaining below the latest consumer price index (CPIH) inflation rate of 3.1%. Essential and non-essential spending increased 2.1% Other figures from the Barclays Consumer Spend report: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/ins…

INSIGHTS Health-driven reformulation is no longer a UK confectionery market niche. Market analysis describes health-conscious reformulation toward reduced-sugar, fortified and functional confectionery as a defining growth driver. UK market value numbers: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/ins…

NEWS You could almost hear clatter of pills in bin as Xand van Tulleken’s latest book, Make Me Well, launched with headline-grabbing PR campaign of 'Chuck your vitamins, they don’t work& a rip-off' Hats off to @TheHFMA_ for trying to put record straight: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

ARTICLE Alan McGrath, @HealthStores_ie You may have had a “prepare for the worst” leaflet through door...No matter how bad things get, it’s not expected a WWII style switch to chicory/dandelion coffee will be necessitated. It'd be interesting if it did: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/don…

NEWS Supermarket bosses and suppliers have joined forces ahead of the budget to call for the crisis-hit packaging tax to be scrapped. thegrocer.co.uk/news/scrap-f… via @TheGrocer

ARTICLE Retailer festive checklist/ inspiration: • Free gift-wrapping as a differentiator from the supermarkets. • Chalkboard with day’s special gifts for under £10 or £20? • Build-your-own hamper service with free hamper box if the customer spends £X. newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/how…

INSIGHTS Beverage Daily reports research showing sales of functional drinks such as kombucha, kefir and matcha surged by 54% between 2024 and 2025. Online searches for hojicha -made from the same green tea plant as matcha- are surging: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/ins…

NEWS @UniofLeicester is part of a new research team investigating how recurrent UTIs can be treated using phage therapy and improved gut health. More on this and more retailer-relevant news: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

EVENT Inaugural @TheHFMA_ Autumn Seminar takes place Nov 3, in central London. Bringing our industry together to learn, exchange ideas& be inspired, plus industry specialist speakers& product/services exhibition hosted by David Domoney. More info: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

NEWS 'Chuck your vitamins, they don’t work& rip-off' You could almost hear the clatter of pills in bin as Xand van Tulleken’s latest book, Make Me Well, launched with headline-grabbing PR campaign. Hats off to @TheHFMA_ for trying to put record straight: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

ARTICLE Health stores need to be ready for a big change to zero-hours contracts, writes Emma McGrath. For health stores...[from small independents to regional /national chains] these changes will bring direct operational updates: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/nex…

EVENT Inaugural @TheHFMA_ Autumn Seminar Nov 3, London Bringing our industry together to learn, exchange ideas& be inspired, plus industry specialist speakers& product/services exhibition hosted by David Domoney. Info/tickets: hfma.co.uk/hfma-autumn-semin… 0208 4817100 [email protected]

INSIGHTS A recent systematic review found the composition of the oral microbiome changes with age. Expect studies to generate radical thinking about natural oral remedies among consumers: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/ins…

NEWS Congratulations to @EvergreenHealth.foods, celebrating latest crop of HFI training diplomas achieved by staff across its seven Galway stores. The candidates were supported throughout by Evergreen’s training co-ordinator Brid Smyth. More detail: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

ARTICLE Theresa Cutts, @TheHFMA_ Marketing& PR Consultant on working with influencers Does what they are saying sound like a health claim?’ If so, then it probably is and they need to reword it. The @ASA_UK are using AI bots to look for keywords!: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/und…

NEWS A call for an overhaul of the Great Britain nutrition and health claims register (NHC) to reflect growing interest in functional food and drink products was made at @TheGrocer health summit: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

INSIGHTS It's not quite protein-maxxing, but close. Is it a good thing? Lumina Intelligence's trend-tracking similarly points to protein products spreading into convenience and delivery channels, driven by consumer interest in high-protein diets: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/ins…

ARTICLE 84 sleeps to go! In case you’ve left it on the back burner, Christmas is Coming! We’ve pulled together a checklist of ideas to make the festive season thrum with joy& happiness both for your community’s wellbeing& your store’s seasonal delight: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/how…

NEWS Leicester University is part of a new research team investigating how recurrent UTIs can be treated using phage therapy and improved gut health: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/new…

INSIGHTS Consumer spending - card spending grew by 2.1% year-on-year in August, building on July’s 2.0% increase, but remaining below the latest consumer price index (CPIH) inflation rate of 3.1%. More numbers: newnaturalbusiness.co.uk/ins…