In our Speaker Spotlight series, get to know our speakers before you see them. Find out what trends they predict this year, who they admire in the industry, and why you should attend their session at Natural & Organic Products Europe in April.
What one person or business in the natural & organic industry do you really admire and why?
The people I admire in the natural & organic industry are those who have gone out of their way to really disrupt their market place whilst ensuring they give back. Emma Heathcote James is such a powerhouse – great brand, B corp, Queens award for industry, and a really lovely person to know.
What do you see as key trends for natural & organic in the coming year?
A key trend has got to be a focus on price driven by increasing cost of goods. Energy, raw materials and labour are all creating the perfect storm for inflation and putting pressure on retail prices. And so, making natural and organic as affordable as possible whilst not compromising on standards will be key.
Other foods trends will include the emergence of ancient grains and produce which can be grown organically in poorer soils such as carob from Portugal and teff from Ethiopia which are also very strong nutritionally. And sprouted grains will have a resurgence with beans, lentils and flour coming in from Argentina
Other foods trends will include the emergence of ancient grains and produce which can be grown organically in poorer soils such as carob from Portugal and teff from Ethiopia which are also very strong nutritionally. And sprouted grains will have a resurgence with beans, lentils and flour coming in from Argentina
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role and the most challenging?
The most rewarding aspect of my role is seeing my clients products on the retailer shelf often after months and years of building their brands. Recently we launched Keto 8 snacks into Holland and Barrett and it is such a buzz to go into one of their stores and see a huge display (and people picking it up of course!). The most challenging at the moment are the clients who are looking to exit the business or really struggling because of increasing costs – many have been hit by the demise of Tree of Life and are struggling to find the funds to keep going.
How important is Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show to the you/industry?
I have an acronym that I use with all my clients called the BUYERR model – Building awareness of your Unique value proposition that has buyers saying Yes and enabling you to Execute (Launch) well leading to Reorders and positive Reviews. NOPEX is important to the industry because it is a critical part of the building awareness stage. It is critical for brands to raise their profiles with the right buyers at the right shows and if your unique value proposition is around natural and/or organic there is nothing better
NOPEX is important to the industry because it is a critical part of the building awareness stage. It is critical for brands to raise their profiles with the right buyers at the right shows and if your unique value proposition is around natural and/or organic there is nothing better
Why should visitors attend your session at the show?
I have a unique perspective having working in retail all my life first in local department store as a Saturday girl, then as a buyer for Tesco and Boots and creating retailers growth strategies as their partner suppliers. This session will dive into modern trends that are driving growth on the high street, how to combine high street and online retail to maximise customer service and sales and how to use new and emerging technologies such as chat GPT.
Attendees will emerge with a mini blue print for making the most of 2023
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
I tend to rush into things without thinking about the consequences. And I love this mantra because it reminds me to take a breath, think things through and prepare to succeed!!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know
I used to work on the fish counter at Tesco!
See Karen Green’s session ‘How to create the go-to destination for health & wellbeing’ at 12.30 – 12.55 on Sunday 16 April. Register for a trade ticket here.
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