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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 5 September 2008

Plant Organic boss Renee Elliot

Green shoots of growth as organic store opens amid talk of recession

THE boss of Britain’s biggest organic supermarket chain is challenging the gloom-mongers by opening a new outlet in Angel as the high street braces itself for a recession.
American-born Renee Elliot launches her fifth Planet Organic store in Essex Road on Thursday.
It follows the successful opening of a Planet Organic outlet in Muswell Hill at the beginning of August.
“It’s always a bad month because people are away,” said Ms Elliot. “But despite the rain and recession we are doing 10 per cent more business than expected.”
Ms Elliot, 43, a mother-of-three and a former wine journalist, claimed even people on low incomes can eat organic if they buy prudently.
“It all depends on what you buy,” she said. “If you buy ingredients and cook, it’s not that expensive. If you buy processed food and luxury treats, that’s expensive.
“Meat is expensive, but you should eat less meat anyway – all modern nutritionists are saying that now. Buy organic meat, but not so often. If you don’t have the budget to buy all organic, then buy organic meat and dairy, to avoid BSE, hormone and antibiotic residues.”
The Essex Road branch will employ 40 staff. As well as providing hot and cold takeaway food cooked on the premises, the store will host community meetings and activities on environmental and health issues.
Ms Elliot is confident she can compete against supermarkets. “We have the biggest range of products, the most knowledgeable team, including people who specialise in natural remedies,” she said.
“The supermarkets do a great job and provide great products but they do it because customers want it. We do it because we believe in it. We want to make a change in people’s health and their environment.”

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