by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series I’ve mentioned previously that social responsibility is practically a requirement for natural products these days, and you are likely to find mention of this on a brand’s website, social media platforms, and packaging. Certifications are one way brands communicate with consumers about the … Read More
New shopper expectations – is your store carrying socially responsible brands?
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series Something extremely interesting is happening with today’s consumers. Have you seen this in your pharmacy yet? They don’t just want their products to function as they should. (That’s like the bare minimum.) They don’t even want to just “identify” with the brands they … Read More
Gluten-free diet – What independent pharmacists need to know
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series An estimated 30% of shoppers are choosing gluten-free options at least some of the time. A gluten-free diet strictly excludes gluten, a mixture of proteins found in wheat and related grains, including barley, rye, and all their species and hybrids (such as spelt, kamut, … Read More
Natural products increase sales for Lionville Pharmacy
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series In Exton Pennsylvania, not far from the turnpike, sits a modest building with a blue roof and an American flag waving out front. The name of the business is Lionville Natural Pharmacy, an independent compounding pharmacy that has been in business nearly 40 years. … Read More
So Many Certifications: NPA Verified, Ecocert, NSF
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series Turn over any natural or natural-leaning product and you will almost certainly see one or more certifications printed on the back. Manufacturers use certifications to demonstrate that a trusted third party has verified something about their business or brand. This is … Read More
An open book: Brands that are transparent win more often
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series Transparency is a hot topic right now. It refers to how and where the ingredients or materials in a product were sourced. Chances are you have shoppers that are intimately concerned about transparency like never before. Many consumers are pushing for ingredients … Read More
On Trend: Adaptogens and Turmeric
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series If your pharmacy is currently or planning on diving deeper into natural products, it is important to be aware of the current ingredient and product trends to maximize potential sales. This month I will introduce you to adaptogenic herbs, … Read More
Low-FODMAP and retail pharmacy: what you need to know
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States, and about two in three IBS sufferers are female. One way of eating that … Read More
So Many Certifications: Non-GMO Project, Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan, USDA Organic, and EWG Verified
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series It seems like every natural product has a handful of certifications, verifications, accreditations, or approvals, typically illustrated on the package through the use of symbols or icons. Brands include these icons to gain credibility among consumers, and it seems … Read More
“Free from” – the next big thing in food, personal care, and OTC
by Jen Johnston, CHHC, senior marketing services account manager, for the Step into Natural blog series Free from can be described as “denoting or relating to food products that do not contain ingredients known to cause a reaction in people with food allergies or intolerances.” In 2016, New Hope Network reported a CDC statistic that … Read More