The customers at New Fountain of Vitality store in New Providence, NJ, are often quite knowledgeable about supplements when walking into the store, according to the staff.

However, it is important for retailers to help the customer determine the best supplements for their wellness needs as many people may be new to herbal products and need help, said Gillespie.

She recommends that retailers first start by asking their customers a few questions to help them narrow down their choices to appropriate product(s) for their conditions:

1. “What is your intention for the herbal supplement(s)?”

2. “What health concern are you looking to address?”

3. “What type of delivery format do you prefer to take? What would fit best in your lifestyle?”

4. “Do you currently take any medications or are you under the care of a physician? Do you have any allergies?” If a customer is taking other medications or has any known allergies, we would recommend that the retailer inform the customer to consult their physician before beginning any new herbal regimen to make sure they will work well in conjunction with their current treatments.

“Retailers should advise customers that not all herbs are the same. Different herbs will take different amounts of time to take effect in your body,” she said. “Some herbs may work quickly to address acute concerns, while other herbs need time to restore balance in the body before you are able to really feel a change. Knowing which herbs offer support in the moment, and which herbs require additional time, can offset disappointment and misunderstanding.

She added, “Retailers should also advise customers that not all herbal supplements are created equally and that the purity, integrity, and potency of ingredients used in supplements will impact performance and results.”

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