Health First Endorsement Letter

Fellow Independent Health Food Retailer,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Davide Viola and I am the new CEO at Health First Network, Canada’s largest group of independent Health and Wellness retailers. The purpose of this communication is to explain our relationship with MYONATURAL and how we can better work together to foster and nurture the roots of the independent health food retailer.

The competitive landscape of this industry changes almost daily. We are constantly hearing of retailers and vendors amalgamating through acquisitions or retailers closing their doors due to competitive pressures. The exposure of the industry continues to expand, putting more pressure on independent health and wellness retailers across the country.

We first interacted with MYONATURAL 2 years ago through correspondence done at the request of Health First members and their intent to carry the product. At the time, MYONATURAL was looking to re-launch into Canada with a new formula and updated packaging, and they needed a partner that could help them get back into the Natural Health stores in Canada with a distribution system to support it. That’s where HFN came in.

Health First Network opened a distribution centre in 2017 and now distributes to its member stores across the country (140 strong and counting!). Through this warehouse, we distribute our private label brand. At Expo West in 2018, we discussed with MYONATURAL the opportunity to leverage our distribution network and import their brand into Canada. HFN would provide guidance and assistance to ensure compliance in the Canadian retail marketplace (including NPN submissions, annexation support and customs compliance to ensure product is cleared for sale) and give MYONATURAL a distribution network that only supplies product to Natural Health food retailers.
Health First has a strong 21 year history and we are excited for what’s ahead. The distribution of MYONATURAL is our first pilot project and if successful, we plan to expand to offer other opportunities that are exclusive to the independent channel. Please reach out if you have any questions on our project or on the distribution of MYONATURAL. I look forward to the future, and I sincerely hope we can partner together.
healt_First
In Health,
Davide Viola
CEO – Health First Network