How do I find a health food store for sale?

Independent health food stores are often owner-run, and some owners may prefer not to announce a sale to customers or staff. That means the best store for you may never appear on a public listing. This page covers where to look and what to say when you find someone.

Search listings under every name

Owners and brokers describe the same shop in different words. Try health food, natural foods, organic market, vitamin shop, supplement store and wellness shop, and read the full description, since a store may be filed under general retail or grocery. Save the searches so new postings reach you. Our guide on how to find a business to buy covers the wider set of channels.

Ask the people who supply the shelves

Supplier reps and distributors visit many stores and tend to know which owners are tired, retiring or thinking about a change. Ask them, politely, whether they know of a store that might be available. Be ready to say who you are, what kind of store you want and when you could move. Reps will not share confidential details, but they can pass your name along.

Use the practitioner and community network

Naturopaths, nutritionists, fitness studios and local wellness groups often send customers to a particular store. They hear about changes early, and an introduction from them carries weight with an owner. Walk into stores you like, shop there for a while, and let the owner see that you understand the trade before you raise the subject.

When you find a store

• Ask why the owner is selling and how long they have been thinking about it.
• Request a short sales summary by category before asking for full records.
• Offer to sign a confidentiality agreement so the owner can speak openly.
• Keep asking about other stores while you talk, so one conversation does not hold up the search.