Olive Green Organics awarded Gold & Silver, Sydney Organic Expo
Posted - August 18, 2010
Olive Green Organics awarded Gold & Silver, Sydney Organic Expo
Sydney-based organic and fair trade foods wholesaler Olive Green Organics, Australia
Unilever commits to 75% sustainable packaging
Posted - August 15, 2010
Unilever commits to 75% sustainable packaging
Unilever made a well-timed move to commit to sustainable sourcing of packaging in July with research studies showing consumers will change purchasing decisions to support this type of ethical commitment. Unilever published its sustainable paper and board packaging sourcing policy as part of its commitment to double the size of the business while reducing its environmental impact.
The policy outlines the Unilever
Mexico
Posted - August 15, 2010
Mexico
Send your comments to: editorial@organicwellnessnews.com
Healthy Life launches health food stores into China
Posted - August 15, 2010
Healthy Life launches health food stores into China
Leading Australian natural products distributor and franchise retailer Healthzone Limited, franchisor of over 130 Healthy Life health food stores in Australia, announced the further expansion of its international operations in China in early August. Just opened are the first Healthy Life China store in Shanghai’s iconic Jin Mao Tower J-Life shopping Centre and a second company store in mid-August in Asia’s largest new shopping centre, the Sun-Moon-Light (SML) Shopping Centre in Shanghai, with five further high profile stores scheduled for opening in 2010 and strong franchisee interest.
Peter Roach, executive chairman of stock exchange-listed Healthzone Limited said the Healthy Life China franchise forecasts up to 100 new stores by the end of 2012. “Establishing the Healthy Life Franchise in China is another step towards control of the promotion and retailing of Healthzone owned brands and distributed products throughout Australasia,” Mr Roach said. “As the leading natural products retailer, brands and distribution business in Australia, Healthzone intends to duplicate this dominant position in the region within the next five years.” Healthzone had sales revenues for the year to June 30, 2009 of $104 million with Healthy Life store sales running at 10% growth to the March quarter 2010.
To support the strategy Healthzone is advancing the registration of own brand HL Vitamins, Healthy Life Food, Natural Alternative and branded bod organic cosmetics for the new Healthy Life China retail model. Australian Healthy Life stores are 60-90sqm and hold 3500-4500 skus, while Chinese stores are 30-60sqm and will hold 2500skus of own brand and third party distributed products. Australian stores are 30% food/70% personal care and supplements, while Chinese stores use a 20%/80% model.
Healthzone has successfully operated over 1600 Aurinda retail counters in China over the past 12 years through the experienced local management based in the Healthzone Shanghai office. Also announced in August by Mr Roach was that Healthzone Limited had entered into a strategic alliance with Asia’s leading healthcare company Eu Yan Sang International, which acquired a 14.99% stake in Healthzone.
Send your comments to: editorial@organicwellnessnews.com
Spotlight on Peru
Posted - August 13, 2010
Spotlight on Peru
Send your comments to: editorial@organicwellnessnews.com
Whole Foods Market continues strong sales resurgence
Posted - August 1, 2010
Whole Foods Market continues strong sales resurgence
North America’s leading organic food and natural products chain Whole Foods Market appears to be riding a resurgence in consumer demand for health and wellness after it reported 8.8% comparable store sales growth for the 12-week third quarter ended July 4, 2010. Sales increased 15% to $2.2 billion. Comparable store sales increased 8.8%, or 6.3% on a two-year stacked basis. Identical store sales, excluding three relocations, increased 8.4%, or 4.6% on a two-year stacked basis.
The 3Q sales results compares with 13% sales growth and 8.7% comparable store sales growth in the 12-week second quarter ended April 11, while Whole Foods has enjoyed a huge turnaround in sales since the third quarter of 2009. “We are pleased with our results which compare very favorably to most other food retailers and show we are continuing to gain market share. Our identical store sales increased 8.4%, accelerating from the second quarter and our highest increase since 2006. Despite tougher comparisons and the recent dip in reported consumer confidence, our two-year stacked identical store sales also sequentially increased to 4.6%,” said John Mackey, co-chief executive officer and co-founder of Whole Foods Market.
“Today we are also very excited to announce six new leases. We have eight leases in negotiation and expect an accelerated pace of lease signings to translate into a higher number of new store openings starting in 2012.” Excluding LIFO inventory accounting, gross profit margin increased 13 basis points to 35.0% of sales with an improvement in occupancy costs offsetting higher costs of goods sold as a percentage of sales. During the quarter WFM opened six stores, acquired two stores and divested two stores related to the FTC settlement agreement (Wild Oats-related) in the third quarter. WFM currently operates 298 stores totaling approximately 11.2 million square feet.
Send your comments to: editorial@organicwellnessnews.com
Food & beverage opportunity in consumer health & wellness
Posted - August 1, 2010
Food & beverage opportunity in consumer health & wellness
A global study of over 21,620 adults aged 18 and over just released from New York-based Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods shows that consumer interest in food and beverages that offer health benefits is greater than, or similar to, interest in vitamins and supplements that provide the same health-and-wellness benefits.
In the food and beverage category, consumer interest was strongest in products that offer better digestive health, increased energy, weight loss and healthy blood sugar levels. Shoppers
Send your comments to: editorial@organicwellnessnews.com
Whole Foods Market continues strong sales resurgence
Posted - August 1, 2010
Whole Foods Market continues strong sales resurgence
North America’s leading organic food and natural products chain Whole Foods Market appears to be riding a resurgence in consumer demand for health and wellness after it reported 8.8% comparable store sales growth for the 12-week third quarter ended July 4, 2010. Sales increased 15% to $2.2 billion. Comparable store sales increased 8.8%, or 6.3% on a two-year stacked basis. Identical store sales, excluding three relocations, increased 8.4%, or 4.6% on a two-year stacked basis.
The 3Q sales results compares with 13% sales growth and 8.7% comparable store sales growth in the 12-week second quarter ended April 11, while Whole Foods has enjoyed a huge turnaround in sales since the third quarter of 2009. “We are pleased with our results which compare very favorably to most other food retailers and show we are continuing to gain market share. Our identical store sales increased 8.4%, accelerating from the second quarter and our highest increase since 2006. Despite tougher comparisons and the recent dip in reported consumer confidence, our two-year stacked identical store sales also sequentially increased to 4.6%,” said John Mackey, co-chief executive officer and co-founder of Whole Foods Market.
“Today we are also very excited to announce six new leases. We have eight leases in negotiation and expect an accelerated pace of lease signings to translate into a higher number of new store openings starting in 2012.” Excluding LIFO inventory accounting, gross profit margin increased 13 basis points to 35.0% of sales with an improvement in occupancy costs offsetting higher costs of goods sold as a percentage of sales. During the quarter WFM opened six stores, acquired two stores and divested two stores related to the FTC settlement agreement (Wild Oats-related) in the third quarter. WFM currently operates 298 stores totaling approximately 11.2 million square feet.
Food & beverage opportunity in consumer health & wellness
Posted - August 1, 2010
Food & beverage opportunity in consumer health & wellness
A global study of over 21,620 adults aged 18 and over just released from New York-based Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods shows that consumer interest in food and beverages that offer health benefits is greater than, or similar to, interest in vitamins and supplements that provide the same health-and-wellness benefits.
In the food and beverage category, consumer interest was strongest in products that offer better digestive health, increased energy, weight loss and healthy blood sugar levels. Shoppers
