Signs of vitality in naturals

Just picked this up in the Natural Foods Merchandiser:

Jay Jacobowitz, president and founder of Retail Insights, a professional consulting service for natural products retailers in Brattleboro, Vt., said independent retailers in the natural products industry as a whole have not suffered as much as conventional retailers, averaging about 7 percent growth over last year. Naturals and organics continue to be a lifestyle choice, not a fad, he said.

We haven't met Jay yet but he sounds like someone we should get to know as we start taking the Big Bear to market this spring/summer.