Healthnotes signs DeCA, Albertsons, Harris Tweeter as customers

PORTLAND, Ore. Healthnotes on Wednesday announced new grocery customers that recently signed on for Healthnotes’ wellness program in light of positive first-half results.

Healthnotes, a private company, did not report specific sales figures.

For instance, the Defense Commissary Agency has added multiple kiosks to its newest stores, and several industry-leading retailers have integrated Healthnotes on their websites, including Albertson’s and Harris Teeter.

"In response to growing consumer demand for supermarkets to promote healthier lifestyles, food retailers see ‘wellness’ as a defining opportunity for how they connect with their shoppers and build loyalty," stated Healthnotes president and chief executive officer Skye Lininger. "Healthnotes is uniquely positioned to help retailers capitalize on this growing trend with comprehensive marketing programs that not only provide the information and inspiration shoppers need, but also deliver measurable results to the store’s bottom line."

The DeCA, which operates more than 250 grocery stores on military bases worldwide, uses the program to help enlisted and retired military families eat healthier. As part of the strategic initiative, DeCA has developed a program called, "It’s Your Choice. Make it Healthy." The Healthnotes kiosks are a key component of this program, offering their customers hundreds of healthy recipes and wellness tips throughout the stores. Currently, Healthnotes kiosks can be found in the nutrition, meat, and produce departments at select commissaries.

In addition to in-store marketing, Healthnotes is helping grocery retailers leverage their websites to reach out to consumers with products and information that help them make healthier choices for themselves and their families. At Albertson’s, Healthnotes recipes and wellness content are prominently featured on the home page and integrated within the new "Health Matters" section of their website, www.albertsonsmarket.com. Customers can find breaking news about health, explore various diet plans, learn about fresh foods, wines, and organics, and discover tasty, heart-healthy meal recipes. Customers can also access information on vitamins, herbs, and medications, and science-based product recommendations for managing health conditions.

"We are excited to work with Healthnotes to provide our shoppers with wellness information and healthy meal ideas that help them make easy, everyday decisions about what to feed their families," stated Bob Butler, senior vice president of marketing and merchandising for Albertson’s. "By helping shoppers make better choices, we’re building confidence and loyalty which leads to larger share of wallet."

Harris Teeter plans to integrate Healthnotes throughout their website to reinforce and expand their healthy living resources. The Healthnotes content will be available September 2007 and will complement the Wellness Keys (shelf-tags) and free health guides already offered in-store and online.

Healthnotes projects significant growth during the remainder of 2007 and 2008, and as a result, the company is moving to a new building in the heart of downtown Portland, Ore., in early Sept. 2007.