With the grand opening of it replacement store in Abilene, Texas, set for April 9, Natural Grocers is holding virtual hiring event for nutritional coaches across the country April 1.
Bigger, better
Natural Grocers‘ current store at 3350 S. Clack St. in Abilene, which opened in 2011, will close at 2 p.m. April 6 to start the relocation process. The new store at 3725 Catclaw Drive is around the corner.
The Lakewood, Colorado-based retailer is planning product giveaways, discounts, free samples, a prize wheel and live local radio around the opening. Special deals will run through April 30.
Natural Grocers employees will kick off the festivities at 8:15 a.m. April 9 with a $2,500 donation to its local food bank partner, Food Bank of West Central Texas. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will lead to the store opening at 8:27 a.m.
“Abilene is a city rooted in hometown pride and genuine connection, and we’ve been fortunate to grow alongside our neighbors over the years,” said Raquel Isely, Natural Grocers’ VP of marketing.
“Our new store reflects that same spirit, offering a fresh, modern shopping experience while keeping the friendly, down-to-earth feel our customers know and trust.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the community to our new Catclaw Drive location and continue serving Abilene with high-quality natural and organic groceries, Always Affordable prices and free nutrition education.
New features in remodeled store
The relocated store features a larger, brighter atmosphere, the company said, with department upgrades that include more organic produce; a bigger body care department; a “super-sized” supplement department; and a modernized checkout queue to serve guests in the order they arrive to the line, meaning customers will no longer “choose the wrong line.”
The company also upgraded the new space with sustainable features and energy-saving measures, including non-toxic building materials and 100 percent LED lighting.
An open space to hold nutrition education classes and recipe demonstrations also is part of the design. The space can be reserved for group activities and/or guest presentations.
The store’s Nutritional Health Coach (NHC) is Randi Holder, who has worked as a health coach for the last six years.
A graduate of the American College of Healthcare Sciences with a certificate in holistic nutrition, Holder went on to acquire certification in genetic-based program design and personal training from the International Sports Sciences Association.
National call for health coaches
Natural Grocers’ April 1 virtual hiring event for health coaches is focused on filling 30-plus positions at stores nationwide.
As the only national grocery retailer with a full-time, in-store Nutritional Health Coach (NHC) in nearly every location, Natural Grocers offers free, science-backed nutrition education and personalized coaching in-store.
Interested candidates must hold a degree or certification in nutrition or a related field, such as dietetics, biology or naturopathy; acceptable credentials include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an applicable discipline.
Once hired, the coaches receive an extensive training from the company’s Nutrition Education Department and annually complete more than 160 hours of continuing education.
This enables the company to provide free one-on-one coaching, personalized shopping support and community education through its NHCs, helping customers and employees to make informed decisions that support health.
Register for the virtual hiring event here.
Natural Grocers operates 169 stores in 21 states.
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