Health First Network (HFN) held its annual general meeting in Quebec City from Nov. 7 to 9.
HFN is Canada’s leading buying and marketing group for independent health and wellness retailers. With its mission to keep its member retailers competitive and independent, HFN provides programs and services to help grow sales, strengthen margins and cut costs.
Each year, HFN holds its annual general meeting to conduct planning, provide training, and to allow networking and the sharing of best practices. Those who often attend the meetings are owners and management from member stores, HFN staff from the central office in Burlington, Ont. and representatives from leading vendors.
This year’s guest speakers included Danièle Sauvageau, coach of the Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team that won gold at Salt Lake City
In networking sessions Members shared and brainstormed best practices on topics like outdoor signs that win, Canadian anti-spam law overview, partnering with local farmers and farmers markets, holding natural beauty night events, loyalty programs and developing an emotionally engaged sales staff.
HFN also celebrated the support it receives from its vendor partners by hosting a dinner for vendors at La Chapelle du Musée on Nov. 7. That evening the winners of HFN’s three vendor awards were announced. Natural Factors received an award for “Best Sales Support,” Bioforce for “Best Key Account Management,” and Renew Life for “Vendor of the Year.”
