Euromonitor research shows that halal and vegan labels are set to grow over five per cent annually from 2015 to 2020—translating to US$13 billion and 708 million additional sales.
Halal products currently bring in US$45.3 billion and are set to reach US$58.3 billion in 2020. Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness at Euromonitor International states, “Demand for halal meat, an important feature of the Muslim community, is growing rapidly. The Muslim community’s share in the global population has been increasing steady and is projected to reach about 26 per cent by 2030.” In response to the growing vegan market, Hudson says, “Vegan product labeling is one of the key categories to watch in the future, as an increasing number of companies are expanding their consumer appeal by staying away from animal ingredients whenever possible. The rising demand and trend for vegetarian and vegan proteins indicates where the market is moving right now.”
The global market for ethically labeled packages foods, soft drinks and hot drinks (excluding private label) accounted for US$793.8 billion in 2015 and is estimated to reach $US872.7 billion by 2020.

For more information, visit: http://blog.euromonitor.com/category/ethical-labels

Walmart’s Canadian same-store sales has risen over the last eight quarters. This week, the retail giant announced a 6.7 per cent same-store sales jump and a 4.6 per cent rise in foot traffic in the first quarter. Currently, the retailer operated 405 stores Canada-wide and has recently debuted a click-and-collect program to 12 stores.

Tia Loftsgard has recently taken the reins at the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). Loftsgard, who is based in Ottawa, co-founded Camino and was also the Fairtrade America’s chief operating officer.
Loftsgard will replace Matthew Holmes, COTA’s founding executive director, who is stepping down after nine years to join Magazines Canada.

Now SISU transforms poorly-absorbed curcumin from a fat-soluble to a water-soluble phytonutrient… making it more active and delivering 185x better bioavailability and faster absorption than ever before. Unlike native curcumin, SISU starts with a 95% curcumin extract… then uses a unique technology to encapsulate it in “water-loving,” digestive micelles that the body readily allows to pass into the bloodstream. It’s so advanced, just 40 mg of curcumin in one softgel delivers the equivalency of nearly 75 (100 mg) capsules of standardized curcumin extract. For maximized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support – SISU Full Spectrum Curcumin… one softgel, once a day – 185x better.

About SISU

Since 1980, SISU has formulated and distributed premium vitamins and supplements to the natural health product industry, where knowledgeable store recommenders and health professionals help people to improve their health and prevent disease. Today, SISU offers more than 160 products in ten wellness categories. Their products are safe, effective and premium, using the purest raw materials and uncompromised quality control testing, employing therapeutic formulas based on clinical research and maintaining standards that exceed Canadian regulatory requirements.

Last week, Walmart announced that its sales at established Canadian stores increased 6.7 per cent in the first quarter of the company’s fiscal 2017. According to the discount retail chain, this growth was driven by an increase in foot traffic of 4.6 per cent. This news follows eight consecutive quarters of sales increases.

“The performance was driven by improvements in our merchandise assortment and price investment, which led to strong customer traffic growth,” says Brett Biggs, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Our e-commerce business also continued to grow nicely with the expansion of online grocery in the Greater Toronto Area. Even as e-commerce investments continued, our ability to leverage expenses led to growth in operating income that outpaced sales growth.”

The retail giant reported a fiscal first-quarter profit of $3.08 billion U.S., while revenues were $115.9 billion. Net income was 98 cents per share, topping the average 88-cent estimate of the 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research.

Walmart Canada manages 405 stores, including 319 supercentres and 86 discount stores.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,528 stores under 72 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482.1 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visitinghttp://corporate.walmart.com

A process has been launched to build and maintain a new independent reporting website. Drug shortages and discontinuances are a source of concern and anxiety for Canadians who have health conditions that require the ongoing use of medication. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that this issue is addressed.

“We know that having timely, comprehensive, and reliable information will help Canadians make informed decisions about their health-care, and help reduce the stress that comes with threath to both short-term and longer-term availability of the medicines that they and their loved ones need.” Says The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health.

Recently, Health Canada has taken a step towards making public reporting mandatory for drug companies experiencing shortages and discontinuances by inviting prequalified contractors to submit proposals to develop and maintain a website for reporting this information.

The new website will eventually replace the current industry-run site, drugshortages.ca.

The site will include better notification features and a mobile application. It will also provide information for health-care providers and patients, including shortage management toolkits and guidance materials.

The department is working towards finalizing these regulations in summer 2016.

“We know that having timely, comprehensive, and reliable information will help Canadians make informed decisions about their health-care, and help reduce the stress that comes with threath to both short-term and longer-term availability of the medicines that they and their loved ones need.” Says The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health.

Andalou Naturals has released three new products that are bringing natural beauty trends to a whole new level.

Beauty 2 Go Mask Pods – Featuring age-defying stem cell science, exclusive formulas and three new clay formulas, hygienic and convenient packaging.

Beauty 2 Go Konjac Beauty Sponges – 100% Konjac root face and body sponges remove dull, dry surface cells, refines pores and polishes skin. Great for all skin types, these sponges come in a pack of two. Non-GMO and eco-friendly, these sponges gives skin a nice, healthy glow.

Beauty 2 Go Sheet Masks – Drenched in their best-selling serums, these masks help skin defy age and get hydrated. Instant hydration and pumping with soft eco-fibre sheets.

About Andalou Naturals

Andalou Naturals skin care, hair care and body care products are simply good for you. Made thoughtfully and beautifully, they blend natural, organic and fair-trade ingredients with Advanced Fruit Stem Cell Science for visible Age-Defying, Brightening and Clarifying results. In 2011, Andalou Naturals became the first personal care brand to achieve 100% Non-GMO Project Verification on every single product and today they are the #1 selling facial skin care brand in the natural channel (SPINS Feb, 2016).

The Board of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) has accounced that Justin Bates will succeed Denise Carpenter and become Senior Vice-President Pharmacy and CEO of Neighbourhood Pharmacies on an interim basis. Effective immediately, Neighbourhood Pharmacies team will report to Bates.

Bates has a trusted reputation among stakeholders and has a commitment to support and promotes the business of pharmacy in Canada. The search for a permanent CEO has begun. In the meantime, the Association is excited to welcome Bates on board.

About Neighbourhood Pharmacies

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) represents the operators of Canada’s approximately 6,500 chain, banner and franchise neighbourhood pharmacies, as well as grocery chains and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. The organization helps save the Canadian healthcare system more than $12.5 billion annually by preventing adverse drug reactions, operating an efficient supply chain and providing innovative drug therapies and lower-cost generic drugs.

McKesson and Walmart recently announced an agreement to jointly source generic pharmaceuticals for their U.S. business.

With this agreement, they have expanded their long-term distribution agreement. The companies believe that this is a natural next step as they have a long history of working together to lower the cost of pharmaceutical care. The agreement leverages McKesson’s expertise in the global pharmaceutical industry and Walmart’s proven commutment to delivering leading health and wellness services at an everyday low price.

“McKesson and Walmart have worked together for decades and throughout our relationship both companies have engaged in an on-going dialogue about how we can work together to bring more efficiency and value to the health care supply chain,” said Mark Walchirk, president, McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical. “Expanding our relationship to include a sourcing partnership for generics makes economic and strategic sense for both of us—by bringing together our respective scale and sourcing expertise, we will make our businesses stronger and create more value for our customers and patients.”

“Walmart and McKesson have built a strong business relationship over the past 30 years by working together to help lower the cost of health care,” said George Riedl, senior vice president and president, Health and Wellness, Walmart U.S. “The dynamics of health care continue to change, and we’re changing with it. It’s why we are taking our relationship with McKesson to the next level, using our combined size and scale to drive efficiencies, something that is core to our business.”

It has not yet been discussed whether this venture will extend to Canada. Vice President of Public Affairs David Simmonds states in an email that, “While excited about the opportunity this extended relationship will bring for our partners at Walmart, the corporation is still in the early stages of establishing details.”

About McKesson Corporation

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 11th on the FORTUNE 500, is a health care services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of health care run better. McKesson partners with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, health care information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,528 stores under 72 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482.1 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visitinghttp://corporate.walmart.com