
Whatever the secret ingredient is behind the global health and wellness retailer?s success, there?s definitely something in the water at the company?s Nuneaton headquarters.?
Early on in our interview, I am keen to know how, while much of the retail sector has mostly struggled in tumultuous economic times, Holland & Barrett has managed six years? of growth, with a reported turnover for 2014 of ?368m?? I am instantly corrected. ?Actually, we are just about to hit our 28th consecutive quarter of growth, but hopefully I haven?t just jinxed that,? Aldis pointed out with a smile.? In his 25 years with the business, he?s held a variety of roles, including developing field sales, managing acquisitions and taking on responsibility for the retail property portfolio, reporting to a variety of different bosses and company owners in that time. Seven years ago he took over the CEO role ? and if you do the maths, that equates to the beginning of the 28 quarters growth milestone.? But like Aldis, there?s more to Holland & Barrett these days than the retailer?s original core product category of vitamins, minerals, health foods and supplements.?Expanding into the “free from” market?
A new ?Holland & Barrett More? concept store in Chester, with plans for another to come soon in York, offers larger space than a traditional Holland & Barrett outlet (6,500 square feet plus) and a new category of “free from? food products, responding to the growing incidence in the UK of food allergies and intolerance as well as diabetes.?Eyetease sets sights on global expansion after getting Boris Johnson on board
Going global?
But the journey to where the business is now ? with it?s 1030 retail outlets and new concept stores looking to meet changing health needs, and the subtle change in the company name to Holland & Barrett International visibly reflecting global ambitions, with retail activities in Europe and further afield in countries such as China ? is a very long way from the loss-making business Aldis joined in 1990.?EarlyBird takes on Graze with a
Natural Health Academy?
Despite all the changes over the years, Aldis firmly believes that observing different bosses and owners, and serving the company over such a long period of time, combined with gaining a real understanding of the vitamins, health foods and supplements market, has been invaluable.? But what is the secret ingredient behind such a sustained period of retail growth? For a man who freely admits to struggling with his own education, one of the answers to that question he believes ? as part of a ?more holistic approach to retailing? ? has been the introduction of his own A Level equivalent qualification for company employees.? The company has invested ?13m in a vocational training programme across its UK stores over the last five years, to enable staff to offer better advice to customers on a huge range of health issues.? The training is officially recognised by the government-backed EDI (Education Development International) which will see more than 3,200 retail staff awarded qualifications for the six, 18 and 36-week training programmes they have completed.? The top-tier qualification, entitled a “Level 3 Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) Award”, is equivalent to an A Level. The qualification forms part of the new Holland & Barrett “Natural Health Academy” and is the first recognised training scheme to cover health on the high street.? The company predicts that a further 3,000 employees will pass though the Academy in the next five years, learning to advise on conditions including migraines, joint pain, cholesterol and circulation.? Aldis points out many other new innovations that will continue to drive growth for the business, including continued, careful global expansion and investment in ecommerce. And personally, he?s committed to see through the changes he?s already started.? ?I?ve seen a lot of change over the years, and who knows what the future may bring, but I?m passionate about my job, and we still have much to do, good success to build on and the need to continue to cultivate our own unique, valuable role within the retailing community.?Premium dining brand Busaba prepares to take its Thai offering nationwide
Share this story