2025 was a year of transition for independent natural retailers. Despite economic uncertainty, pricing pressure, and supply consolidation, independents continued to outperform expectations. Not because they were leading the way in technology, cost-cutting measures, or high-margin categories, but...
In recent years, wellness trends have been defined by hyper-personalization, an increased interest in clean label ingredients and transparency, and a focus on holistic whole-body health. As we move into 2026, INFRA is excited to partner with leading retail data provider SPINS to share our top 5...
Partner Article Equal Exchange’s mission and products are changing the power dynamics in the food system, creating market access for small growers and the opportunity for consumers to purchase according to their values. Our model has long bucked the tunnel-vision trend...
The holidays are a time of joy, connection, and togetherness. For some, however, finances put extra pressure and strain on the holidays. During a time when everyone is feeling the squeeze of inflated prices and stagnant wages, independent retailers emerged to uplift their communities during the...
Work Anniversaries Shanoah Harren, BI Analyst — 1 st anniversary Jacob Nachel, Member Business Advisor — 1 st anniversary Bella Syslo, Marketing & Communications Specialist — 1 st anniversary Jen LaValley, Chief Financial Officer ...
2025 marked 20 years of empowering independent natural food retailers to do what they do best—provide healthy, sustainable foods to their communities. In addition to a successful INFRA Annual Conference with the largest attendance to date, we also renewed our contract with KeHE Distributors,...
September 30, 2025 —The Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) proudly marks its 20th anniversary this year, celebrating two decades of strengthening and championing independent natural food retailers across the nation. Founded in 2005 by four visionary retailers—Earth Fare,...
Work Anniversaries Mike Ohman, Member Business Advisor — 9th Anniversary Ruthanne Atkinson, Growth Operations Manager — 8th Anniversary Aprille Thurheimer, Supply Agreement Assortment Lead — 2nd Anniversary Hannah Rogal, People Operations Generalist — 3rd Anniversary Rachel Keeler,...
Jim Olson, SPINS Senior Retail Insights Manager Two decades ago, a handful of pioneering natural food retailers combined their influence in service of a common goal; expanding healthy food access for all. A few years later, SPINS proudly partnered with INFRA in service of that same goal....
Twenty-six years ago, a popular film starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks forewarned the end of independent retailers. Big-box chain stores dominated the cultural and economic landscape, and the story went that little ‘mom and pops’ founded by caring, passionate people, were on their way out. The...