Partner Article

North East businesses combine for product trial

A well-established family-owned pharmacy chain has handed a local sports recovery business the opportunity to trial its ethical products in its retail stores across the region.

Newcastle-based Natural Hero, which manufactures botanical-based body care products in the North, has joined forces with Ashchem Chemists to run a trial of its natural sports skincare range.

Independently-owned Ashchem Chemists has been trading in the region since 1981 and has grown from a single pharmacy to the largest independent retail pharmacy chain in the North-East with branches across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham.

The Natural Hero range currently includes a Hot Ginger Muscle Rub and a Cool Peppermint Muscle Spritz. The products are aimed at the booming outdoor and active market and positioned as a feel good alternative to existing training and recovery products.

Ash Aggarwal, owner at Ashchem, said: “I came across Natural Hero when I saw its products had been listed by many Holland & Barrett stores and realised it was a fellow North-East based company.

“Our pharmacies look to meet the evolving needs of our customers and these types of natural sports products seem more and more popular and as they offer an alternative to traditional medical-based products.

“Natural Hero seems to have spotted a fantastic niche in the marketplace. We have high hopes for the range and are delighted to be partnering with a company based just up the road,” added Ash.

Founded by entrepreneur Louise Vincent following a nasty ski accident, the range was born out of research with sports physiotherapists along with formulation and plant scientists at Newcastle University.

The company recently received major angel investment from two of the region’s most high-profile businesswomen, Fiona Cruickshank and Sara Davies, who are both members of investment group Gabriel Investors.

Louise Vincent, sales director and founder at Natural Hero, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been given a trial by such a well-respected pharmacy business right here in the North-East and will be supporting Ashchem with a promotional push to drive trial of the products.

“Pharmacies are often the first place active people suffering from muscle fatigue will head to find a product to remedy their aches and pains. Our range provides a 98% natural alternative that delivers without being full of any synthetic substances.”

Natural Hero is also currently be trialled by Holland & Barratt and has already secured listings with several other major retailers within naturals and sports channels that include Fenwick, Wholefoods, Snow & Rock and Sweatshop.

Since it launched last year, Natural Hero has become the first sport and fitness brand to receive Ethical Accreditation from the Ethical Company Organisation last year and is also a member of 1% for the planet the initiative founded by Yvon Chouinard of outdoor wear giant Patagonia.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .