The Nuts - Special GOLD issue

Nuts the

gold Issue

Aspria Live life well with Aspria

Neil Back Life after winning the world cup.

Smartpod

Space just got a whole lot more creative!

Olra

The rise of Athleisure wear

Promotions... Loyalty... Rewards... Development... Partnerships

Welcome

from editor

03 – Life After Winning the World Cup From World cup rugby to business development, we have an in-depth chat with rugby legend Neil Back.

04

04 – Innovative Unmanned Retail We take a look into the ground-breaking service, Vendgo.

05 – Kitbrix Product Development Kitbrix launches the new fully sustainable poncho to the market!

08 – The Great Food Opportunity 12 new and exciting products and The

THE NUTS WINS GOLD at 2021 Chartered Institute of PR awards

opportunities from the world of food and drink as well as retail.

10 – New Launch A new Fitness Growth Agency launches and offers you a free growth audit

12 – The Rise of Athleisure Wear

Hey, welcome to the latest issue of The Nuts brought to you by the team at Coconut Solutions. Whilst we won’t be dwelling on what’s happened globally over the past year, we will be celebrating all that’s great about the health, fitness, wellbeing and lifestyle sectors we work in and showcasing some new brands, new innovations and new products which we hope will be of interest.

The sectors we work in remain positive and we are seeing lots of green shoots in terms of growth and opportunity.

Businesses and organisations are pivoting to create new ways to drive revenue and customer experience and often will need to work with, and partner with third party companies to deliver these outcomes. Whilst the future is somewhat unknown and untrodden it’s exciting, it’s full of opportunity and ready for those bold, exciting brands willing to get their names out there.

We chat to Charlotte Robertson founder of Olra Active Wear and learn about her plans for the future.

16

14 – Products we love From water bottles to supplements, we share products we think are incredible, we think you’ll like them too!

16 – Live Life Well with Aspria Learn more about Aspria’s holistic approach to health and wellbeing

18 – The Retail Opportunity What you need to know to drive additional revenue this year

21 – Shelley Hepburn

22 – Smartpod

Leading name in luxury wellness industry, Shelley Hepburn talks to us about her dynamic consultancy and how the wellness sector was affected over the past year with Covid-19.

We look into the bespoke contemporary pods, their multi-use applications and how they will only grow helping business’ adapt to the changes post-pandemic.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Please let us know any feedback you might have or maybe you have a story for our next issue!

Thanks, Becca Douglas Editor becca@aimcontentmarketing.co.uk Published by:

Promotions... Loyalty... Rewards... Development... Partnerships

AIM doesn’t conform to the traditional mould of consultancy and client-led relationships. We want to support and guide you to look beyond your current content strategies and capabilities.

Working with you to deliver results with clear and measurable outcomes.

PR AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY AND SUPPORT

Plain and simple.

BRANDING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES

Current winners of Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy for the East of England, AIM services a global client base.

www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

www.aimcontentmarketing.co.uk the

Nuts 02

MARKETING STRATEGY AND SUPPORT

VIDEO PRODUCTION AND EDITING SEO, PPC AND WEB DEVELOPMENT

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

FEATURE

TPS has worked on many different brand displays including Prada’s display seen in this image.

W

ell-known rugby legend Neil Back MBE is a former international rugby union player for England and the British & Irish Lions.

During his successful 17-year career, Neil played for Nottingham RFC, Leicester Tigers, played in three World Cups and captained both England and Leicester as well as going on three Lions tours. One of his final games, the first test match verses New Zealand on the 2005 tour, saw him become the oldest player in the history of the game to play in a Lions test at age 36.

During Neil’s illustrious, international career, he earned 66 caps for England, captaining them to victory four times. He was also an integral part of the 2003 World Cup winning side.

Following World Cup victory, Neil took on a new role as Player/Defensive Coach for Leicester Tigers before hanging up his boots to become part of the coaching team for a further three years. Neil then progressed to the role of Head Coach at Leeds Carnegie.

We caught up with Neil recently and he talked to us about his playing career, Neil said, “I’m incredibly proud of my achievements, both as a player and a coach. I was lucky to be fit and

Life after winning the World Cup… well enough to continue playing at international level and won everything there was to win. The World Cup victory in 2003 was the last piece of the jigsaw for me.”

After 25 years in senior rugby, Neil decided it was time to transition away from the game and back into the business world, which allowed him more time to focus on his family. He went on to set up a financial company in 2013, Fortius Broking Ltd, specialising in commercial insurance.

Currently, Neil works in a business development position for leading brand and retail display specialist and Coconut Solutions client, TPS Visual Communications (www. tpsvisualcommunications.com) TPS has over 30 years’ experience in every aspect of brand display, providing design, print, manufacturing and installation solutions to a variety of blue-chip retailers. Covering three divisions; visual communication, bespoke point of purchase together with installation project management combine to provide a one-stopshop problem solving service. The company uses cutting edge print and manufacturing technology which allows

TPS to design it, plan it, manufacture and install it, direct to site anywhere in Europe.

“I was approached about taking on the business development role for TPS after I retired from the game and it was a no brainer. I hit it off with Mark instantly and the wider team seemed really great – a good group of like-minded people.

What’s more, there’s a nice cross over between my commercial insurance clients and the services that TPS offer.”

“TPS is an innovative and dynamic company and we work with some of the world’s leading retail brands. There’s never a dull moment and the role keeps me on my toes.”

When Neil isn’t selling the services of TPS he is a regular on the after dinner and motivational speaking circuit and works with global brands and businesses to deliver incredibly interesting and thought-provoking talks.

For more information visit www.tpsvisualcommunications.com

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts 03

FEATURE

Innovative Unmanned Retail

VENDGO

CHANGES THE FACE OF CONVENIENCE FOOD FOR THE LEISURE SECTOR

VendGo state of the art vending machines offer hot meals and cold refreshments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I

nnovative vending machine retailer, VendGo is set to change the face of unattended retailing as it looks to innovate the leisure sector with the help of new robot-like machines.

VendGo’s extensive range of unattended solutions make providing a variety of hot and cold food to-go a whole lot easier and at a fraction of the cost of traditional catering services. The company has quickly established a name for itself and has become the first tendered vending machine supplier for the NHS. Challenging the usual vending machine offer, VendGo kiosks can provide anything from a nutritious hot meal, to pizzas, hotpots and fries or even salads, smoothies and ice creams, all available 24/7, 365 days a year. For added convenience, all of its kiosks offer contactless, cashless payments as well as retail fridges.

Operating on a profit share basis, VendGo supply, install and maintain the equipment and ensure the food is replenished in a timely manner thanks to a network of ‘brand guardians’. What’s more, if the volumes sold are high enough, this service is all at no cost to the leisure site.

VendGo is working with Coconut to explore new opportunities and work with the more forward-thinking, innovative and commercially minded operators who want to drive secondary spend whilst also providing a great, quality service to customers.

Walter Gill, Director of VendGo said, “We’re excited to be breaking into the leisure sector as we’re passionate about changing the ‘crisps and a can of coke’ culture that vending machines have become known for. With our range of unattended kiosks, convenience food can become so much more, not only putting it on brand with leisure sites by providing nutritious options but also adding value to the sites themselves and the facilities they offer.”

www.sv365technologies.com

the

Nuts 04

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

Kitbrix Product Development

O

utdoor fitness has seen a huge surge, from wild swimming and stand-up paddle boarding to bootcamps and gruelling obstacle course races. More of us are turning to the great outdoors to exercise and get our fix of fresh air.

Unfortunately, the great British weather isn’t always on our side and having to warm up after or stay in soggy clothes can end up taking the edge off the fun.

Luckily, KitBrix has taken on the challenge of developing an innovative, wearable poncho. Fully sustainable and made from recycled plastic bottles, the premium poncho has a Sherpa fleece lining for added comfort and warmth.

KitBrix’s, James Howell saw a gap in the market with the outdoor fitness trend really taking off and the closure of swimming pool changing rooms because of Covid. Although the wearable poncho is still in the development stage, it is set to hit the market in June – perfect timing to get out and enjoy some outdoor exercise this summer.

James said, “We’re incredibly passionate about sustainability so we knew we wanted this to be at the forefront of the poncho design and development. Throughout the design process we’ve worked closely with a number of target customer research groups, so we could get the product spot on. The research we carried out has meant we’ve developed a poncho which is just as suitable for a triathlete as it is a beach-goer and swimming lessons.”

PONCHOS

Ponchos just got sustainable!

“The poncho is super simple; it comes in two sizes and a choice of navy or black. We’re also able to customise them if needs be. The Sherpa fleece lining combines comfort and practicality and isn’t too bulky, so it can easily be bundled in to your sports bag ready for your next adventure.”

The Kitbrix poncho is due to launch in summer but is available to preorder from May. For further information or to place an order reach out to Jarrod at Coconut

www.kitbrik.com

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts 05

A branded coffee formula that delivers profit, engages new customers and drives footfall.

Paddy & Scott’s are coffee farmers, on a mission to revolutionise how coffee is traded around the world.

We are obsessed with great tasting coffee, but also using coffee as a vehicle for change.

We passionately believe our coffee tastes better because it changes lives.

ESCAPE FITNESS.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE GYM. From beginner to elite athlete, outdoor training is a concept that is here to stay for the foreseeable future. This shift to open-air gym offerings presents gyms and clubs with new expansion opportunities.

So how do you go about creating an effective outdoor gym workout space?

THE CLIENT. Bluecoat Sports is a dual-use site for the public and students, situated within an independent school. Operating as a charity on behalf of the school and local community, it’s a fitness space known for its programming and classes. The client was keen on designing an outdoor fitness and training area to give its members the ability to train outside in a fully immersive environment.

THE PROJECT. Bluecoat Sports was looking for something so much more than simply a cool looking outdoor environment. They needed a full-functioning solution that offered something specific for any user—and any fitness level.

Whether you’re a gym member or a trainer, there are certain things to think about when taking on sweat sessions outdoors.

When it comes to a permanent-fixture outdoor gym, everything has to be weatherproof and up to the task, for the long haul.

Even before including additional workout equipment, the Octagon HIT Hub frame at Bluecoats featured more than enough accessories to challenge any fitness level.

Some of the features include: • Raised pull-up bars • Monkey bars • Boxing attachments • Leg target • Catch rack • Octagon pull up bar • TRX

THE SOLUTION. First and foremost, the environment is not overly intimidating.

It is inclusive. It is welcoming.

Featuring pre-programmed spaces, at any point in time, three different workouts could be going on separately. Or individual sections can be combined to become one ecosystem for group training. Escape’s Octagon frame attracted 200 new members in a matter of weeks. The workouts laid the foundations of the equipment list and timetable, but the space is also open for members to complete their own training and Bluecoats are working with local sports teams to aid their conditioning.

Contact our expert design team to discover how to create an outdoor fitness space that inspires.

Please visit escapefitness.com/nuts for more gym design inspiration.

Eastwood House, Cygnet Park, The Office Village, Hampton, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. PE7 8FD.  01733 313 535  sales@escapefitness.com

the

Nuts 06

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

Active nutrition for over 50s Tempo® contains key micro-nutrients and protein levels specifically for over 50s to maintain a healthy body and sustain an active lifestyle.

Taste great!

Restoring Lifestyle Balance Scentered® is a mindfulness lifest yle brand that has created a unique Wellbeing Ritual, teaching people how to use the power or our sense of smell as a tool to direct our thoughts, emotions and actions to live happier lives.

Specifically formulated for over 50s Evidence-based ingredients 50+ have specific nutritional needs Backed by Olympian, Sally Gunnell OBE

14 servings per pouch 3 delicious flavours Protein and 27 micro-nutrients Stay active, stay strong

Visit: temponutrition.com

Our line of 100% natural, essential oil-based Aromatherapy Balms, Candles, Hair Care and Body Care products provide por table solutions to suppor t mindful transitions through life’s ever yday journey. Scentered is positioned at the intersection of Wellness, Mindfulness and (Inner) Beaut y.

SCENTERED.COM

Food, glorious food (and drink)…

A

s we head into a new season, opportunities should be front of mind. Secondary spend can be the secret to your success, if positioned right and if aligned with the right partners. Coconut prides itself on working with the best of the best and recommending the right partner for the right brand and customer base. Over the past 6-12 months Coconut has been building its network of food and drink partners to offer clients and contacts something new, different and unique and something that will enable you to stand out from the crowd and give you the competitive edge.

As well as new products available, Coconut can also align you with an area which is expanding rapidly, and which can offer you great return; automated retail. Coconut is partnering with well-known and trusted brands such as Huel, Caffe Nero and Healthy Nibbles Micro Markets as well as working on a franchise model from disruptor coffee brand Paddy and Scott’s.

Jarrod Lupson, founder of Coconut said: “We always focus on securing quality partners, solutions and creating experiences that customers want. Early feedback is extremely positive about our new brands, and we are generating strong interest, deals and in turn clients will see the impact on their revenue lines. Secondary spend is such an important part of many businesses. Coconut works with a range of clients and partners to develop solutions, which are right for everyone.”

For more information about the Food + Drink packages, opportunities and partners available through Coconut please email Jarrod on: jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk

The team at Coconut are also working on an exciting new project with Leathams on menu development. Coconut has the capability of creating unique and bespoke partnerships for you and your operation and business.

is working with Promotions... Loyalty... Rewards... Development... Partnerships

the

Nuts 08

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

GYMWEAR AND ACCESSORIES OUR PRODUCTS · Fitness & active apparel · Fully customised uniforms & retail · Accessories & equipment · Gifts

OUR SERVICES · Quick Response Production · Fully bespoke design +44 (0) 1582 496100

sales@greatbranding.co.uk

www.greatbranding.com

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts 09

Introducing

Becca Douglas has worked within PR, comms and marketing for 20 years and has worked with a huge range of brands from Toni & Guy, Vidal Sassoon, Scholland the Sustainable Spa Association to Barratt Developments, Pure Gym, Les Mills, Eversheds, Sport England, England Athletics and La Tasca to name afew.

Winning countless awards for campaign execution and results, Becca understands the importance of driving hardworking and creative programmes and PR and content, which delivers what really matters – results.

Phil Taylor is warmly regarded as our growth hacker and heads up all the growth strategy and digital performance work. Phil spent years perfecting growth strategies and has developed and implemented growth strategies for a variety of products and business models from mobile and web apps, SaaS platforms and B2C services. Phil is all about the data and is passionate about scalable growth!

T

he Nuts can exclusively reveal the launch of a brand new growth marketing agency – The Fitness Growth Agency (FGA) which is officially launching in early 2022 and is offering Coconut clients and partners an exclusive growth audit.

Formed by multi-award-winning experts – Phil Taylor and Becca Douglas FGA is a new breed of agency that will work as an extension of your team to deliver creative content that will drive commercial results.

With vast experience in content creation and designing high converting performance campaigns for a range of businesses, brands and across multiple sectors, the team operates globally. FGA will work with clients to create and distribute memorable content that will support and drive your customers throughout the buying cycle from awareness through to acquisition.

Becca Douglas said: “There is so much noise in today’s market with more brands / products / services than ever before all vying for a slice of media.

The evolution of social media and the changing personalities of your buyers mean that they want more from brands and companies than just products and services – they want to know companies care about them, about their goals, their dreams, their businesses and ultimately their lives. When done right strong content marketing allows companies to connect with consumers more personally, which is extremely powerful from a sales point of view.”

Phil Taylor adds: “Becca and I have been working together for over a year now and have been successful in building scalable, sustainable growth and creating content for a range of global businesses, brands and across multiple sectors.

We don’t conform to the traditional mould of consultancy and client-led relationships. We want to support and guide you to look beyond your current growth strategies and capabilities. Working with you to deliver results with clear and measurable outcomes. Plain and simple.”

the

Nuts 10

To mark the launch of FGA, Coconut clients can take advantage of a free growth audit.

Simply email Jarrod at jarrod.lupson@ coconutsolutions.co.uk to find out more.

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

ILA LAUNCHES RECOVERY AND CARE PACKAGES

Consisting of two Recovery and two Care packages, the bundles are: ILA ANXIETY RECOVERY PACKAGE ILA SELF NURTURE RECOVERY PACKAGE ILA IMMUNE BOOST CARE PACKAGE ILA PROTECT CARE PACKAGE

With a philosophy to provide emotional benefits as well as physical ones, natural and organic skincare brand ila has carefully curated bundles of its most nurturing products to provide a little extra support at this time. Whether investing in some self-care or sending some thoughtful indulgence to a loved one, ila’s Recovery and Care Packages have been chosen to foster healing and restoration to help us move forward from the last few months with vitality.

www.ila-spa.com

Improve customer experience & achieve up to 80% revenue growth.

Immediate access to stock with no upfront costs Instant cash flow benefit Increased sales revenue & reduced stock loss concerns Partner FoH staff time savings and working efficiencies No delivery charges & simplified monthly invoicing Access to the top Global sports brands Detailed sales analysis completed by FITCO’s Buying & Merchandising team

Get in touch now to arrange a review to see how we can maximise your retail income: DAVE WILLIAMS MANAGING DIRECTOR d.williams@thefitco.com / +44 (0)7769 257 304

The rise of Athleisure Wear Finding business inspiration during the pandemic

A

thleisure, a combination of athletic and leisure wear has dominated the fashion market and has become a wardrobe staple for the past 12 months. This casual wear clothing has become a stylish fashion trend, capable of taking you from a workout, to grabbing a coffee with friends, through to lounging on the sofa in comfort.

The athleisure clothing market is estimated to be worth £6.7 billion over the next five years in the UK and spending on leisurewear during the national lockdowns shot up by 97%. With consumers confined to their homes, Google reported that ‘leisure wear’ was amongst its top searches for 2020, along with ‘home gym’ and ‘home workout’.

One woman who was inspired by spending more time at home during the Covid lockdowns is Charlotte Robertson. Mum to 3-year-old Arlo and new baby Bodhi, Charlotte saw a business opportunity to create stylish yet comfortable and practical athleisure wear and so Olra Active Wear was formed, which has allowed Charlotte to strike the perfect balance between family and work life.

Talking about forming Olra Active Wear, Charlotte said, “The gym wear market in the UK is thriving and being a mum to my young son, Arlo, means I am always on the move. Suddenly spending more time at home there was a shift in mindset when it came to the type of clothing that I was reaching for on a daily basis and casual comfort became a priority, like it has for many people.

the

Nuts 12

“With the pace of life changing for a lot of people, whether that was working from home and having more time to relax or getting out to exercise more, I could see a real demand for luxe active wear which would keep you not only looking great but feeling great too, whether that’s for a work Zoom call, a trip to the park, or on the school run.”

Olra Active Wear is currently available online with plans to expend the business throughout 2021, including a new fulfilment centre to efficiently dispatch orders, sourcing outlets to stock the products such as boutique gyms and Pilates studios, as well as launching a trend-led range of men’s athleisure clothing at the end of the year.

Jarrod Lupson, Founder and Managing Director of Coconut said, “Olra Active Wear is an exciting brand which combines edgy designs with quality materials. We’re working with Charlotte to open up opportunities for the brand within the health, fitness and spa sectors. There’s much more to come from Olra with lots of exciting plans in the pipeline for 2021 and we look forward to working with Charlotte to continue to grow the brand.”

For more information or to receive a Olra Active Wear brochure please reach out to Jarrod at Coconut.

www.olraactivewear.com

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

FEATURE

Charlotte Robertson and her 3-year old son Arlo branding the Orla Active wear.

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts 13

s t c u d o r P WE LOVE You can rely on us to bring you a round-up of some of the hottest products from around the globe.

Here are our top picks for you to check out…

The ultimate range of water bottles, which are high in the style and sustainability stakes.

Hydration by Design - these beautiful Italian designed water bottles are both functional and convenient, all while helping to reduce the impact of plastics on the environment. With so many colour and style options across the range, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s also the option to have your own brand added.

In the words of Taylor Swift…shake it off!

Introducing the ‘World’s Best Protein Shaker Bottle’, which eradicates the need for mixing accessories thanks to the innovative centrifugal force which rapidly breaks down supplements, giving you perfectly blended mixtures in a flash. Kiss goodbye to annoying powders getting stuck in the corners like with a traditional shaker and remnants left in the bottle will be a thing of the past. The Shakesphere means less waste, which in turn saves you money, win, win!

the

Nuts 14

www.hech.com/en/

Coconut is offering readers a FREE 45 Day Trial for your company. www.kidspass.co.uk/coconut

www.24bottles.com

www.shakesphereuk.com/

READER OFFER

Luxury nutrition supplements - for women, by women.

We can’t get enough of these fabulous HECH products, a super-cool range of functional nutritional supplements and products from Berlin. Using only the very best quality ingredients, HECH’s luxury products have become trusted by sophisticated customers across the globe. Its beauty range are now cult products and a must buy for the modern day woman.

Make up for lost time and get making memories Family days out are where memories are made but they can also be costly.

Kids Pass is the no.1 family savings membership club in the UK. The app allows families to get up to 57% off family days out, up to 40% off cinema trips, up to 50% off family holidays, up to 25% off restaurant bills and so much more, as well as making a great digital reward. What’s not to love?!

Take a look at some of the deals available at the moment and try it out for yourself with our reader offer.

Permission to snack There’s no denying as a nation we LOVE a snack. Cue the answer to healthy snacking with UK award-winning, Healthy Nibbles.

Offering nutritious snack boxes, vending machines, and curated services, Healthy Nibbles is making healthy choices while on the move so much easier.

Offering a variety of tempting snack options, we particularly love the Health Box, which is a perfect selection of sweet and savoury tasty treats – all of which are free-from artificial sweeteners, preservatives and additives https://www.healthynibbles.co.uk/ For more information about any of these products in terms of partnerships / stockist information or to get a sample please email: Jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

CLASSIFIED

Zoggs Ecolast swimwear collection, a range of eco friendly swimwear produced from ocean waste, helping to preserve our oceans.

Find a retailer near you or shop online at www.zoggs.com

www.PoolPlatforms.co.uk

Yoga Mats and Accessories crafted from eco-conscious sustainable materials www.yogi-bare.com

FEATURE

Live Life Well with Aspria

I

t is fair to say the wellbeing industry is booming and what was once considered to be niche has now become mainstream.

The global wellness market is valued at over £3.46 trillion with an industry growth rate of 6.4%, which is expected to continue at this pace. Employers are recognising the benefits as a productivity hack and large hotel chains are launching wellness tourism brands to deal with the huge surge in demand.

One company that is leading the way in providing market-leading wellbeing destinations is Aspria, offering an exclusive collection of members-only clubs across Europe, from Brussels to Berlin, Hamburg to Hannover. Featuring breath-taking spas, outstanding swimming pools and state-of-the-art fitness facilities, all set within tranquil locations, providing the ultimate oasis of wellbeing.

Co-Founder and CEO of Aspria, Brian Morris said, “Aspria is built on a concept that most operators would shy away from. We’re firm believers in looking at the whole picture when it comes to enhancing the health and wellbeing of our members and that’s at the heart of every single one of our clubs. Our unique, holistic approach assesses just about every aspect of our member’s lifestyle on an individual basis. This allows us to form a complete picture of their health, from fitness and relaxation through to nutrition, sleep and state of mind so we can work on enhancing these aspects to achieve an improved sense of wellbeing.

Nuts 16

With an ethos of ‘Live Life Well’, Aspria aims to inspire people of all ages to be healthy, feel good and enjoy life. Each club has invested heavily in the very latest fitness equipment which is zoned to focus members on their workouts, as well as offering some of the finest spas and outdoor fitness facilities in Europe. Aspria clubs also offer a wide range of group exercise classes to motivate members and keep them on track to achieve their fitness goals. An expert team of personal trainers are on hand to offer support as well as challenge and drive members to get the most from the club’s facilities.

“Providing an inclusive environment, where members can enjoy spending time with their families at our stunning facilities as well as having access to other Aspria clubs throughout Europe encourages our members to fully embrace the wellbeing lifestyle.”

Aspria’s Harbour Club Milan spa and outdoor fitness facilities are some of the finest in Europe.

the

Brian Morris, CEO and Co-Founder of Aspria.

Aspria Hamburg Uhlenhorst Outdoor Spa

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

Aspria Hannover Maschsee pool

Not to overlook an essential component of wellbeing which is relaxation, all Aspria clubs offer decadent spas, the perfect sanctuary to rejuvenate in from the stresses and strains of daily life. You can expect to find steam rooms, saunas, hamams, soothing relaxation areas and the best massage, beauty and treatment therapists, which make Aspria’s spa facilities renowned spaces for total tranquillity. Each club also has a health-conscious restaurant, bistro or café, with a lively, inclusive atmosphere for members and their families to relax and socialise in.

Members are also offered access to Aspria Pro Health, where personal progress is monitored by a team of world-class experts who have

devised a unique health assessment system. This advanced programme defines and monitors every aspect of wellbeing, with the aim of reducing members’ biological age and enhancing their health and wellbeing so they can live life to the full.

The global pandemic has led to a turbulent time over the past 12 months for many sectors, including the health and fitness industry, but now more than ever does wellbeing seem to be at the forefront of people’s minds.

Brian said, “People are more health conscious and are prioritising wellbeing as part of their lifestyles.

This is reflected in people’s spending

habits, with more being spent of health and wellness experiences than typically more popular areas such as fashion. Factors such as workrelated stress, greater mental health awareness, and lifestyle-related diseases are all contributing towards the demand for wellness solutions and this growth trend looks set to continue throughout 2021 and beyond.

“We look forward to reopening our clubs, welcoming back our members and helping them to be the best that they can be.”

For further information on Aspria’s exclusive health and wellbeing clubs, please visit www.aspria.com

ASPRIA HAS BEEN WORKING WITH COCONUT PRE-LOCKDOWN ON A NEW AND UNIQUE RANGE OF ASPRIA ATHLETIC WEAR AND PARTNER BRANDS FOR IN-CLUB RETAIL. Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts

17

MAKE RETAIL YOUR BEST ASSET – NEW SOLUTIONS FROM COCONUT

R

etail and merchandise present huge opportunities for our sector but it’s not always that easy to understand and broker the best deals, especially if you need to test the market and don’t want to commit long-term. Coconut is proud to partner with some of the leading, store and apparel brands to ensure you can work with a company and service which is best suited to your business needs today, tomorrow and in the future.

Coconut has been working with clients to develop their own branded ranges to offer to their members and customers as well as partnering and linking operators up with leading athletic and sports brand partners.

POSRange

POSRange

New partners to come on board with Coconut include Agile Retail, which is disrupting the sector to deliver new and impressive stores which suit the world we live in.

Agile Retail offers a comprehensive but flexible set of retail solutions and a totally new approach to running retail stores, all with the efficiencies of scale.

Coconut can help provide an opportunity to test and experiment with physical stores, without the long-term commitment.

As we head into a new season, Coconut will be working with clients on a range of pop-up and new store propositions and developments. Jarrod and the team will also be integrating technology into the retail offer and looking at how this can also translate online and drive ecommerce too.

For more information about apparel and retail please get in touch with Jarrod on jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.

co.uk

TPS © 2017

Jarrod Lupson said about the retail opportunity: “Retail shouldn’t be pain but instead an opportunity and a way of generating income and improving customer experience. A strong retail offer is a great way to enhance and expand your brand and enable your customers to be true advocates and brand ambassadors. For clubs which are online and have a hybrid model, they can use digital channels to further market their stores and retail ranges and drive purchase both online and in-store. Technology holds the key to success. Coconut partners with the most innovative brands and companies to ensure your retail offer works harder for you.”

is working with

Promotions... Loyalty... Rewards... Development... Partnerships

www.agileretail.co.uk the

Nuts 18

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

COCONUT LAUNCHES BOUTIQUE RETAIL SOLUTION

Are you looking for something extra to enhance your customer experience from a retail point of view? Maybe you want a unique proposition to drive secondary spend? Whatever your goals, Coconut can work with you to partner you with brands that match your values and commercial goals. Coconut’s unrivalled connections and relationships with leading brands will always deliver results.

Coconut works with the following brands: for both your in-club/ centre and eCommerce stores.

The Ocean Bottle is THE best reusable water bottle you can buy. 1000 bottles are rescued from the ocean. It’s eco-friendly and made of recycled stainless steel, upcycled ocean plastic and bpa, food grade plastic. www.oceanbottle.co

Empowering women to live a life that you love Empowering women toDance & Fitness clothing Yoga, throughlive Active a lifeLiving™ that you made love with Movement in Mind. and thethrough daily practice of Olra brings you versatile, Active Living™ elegant Move, Nourish, Believe. and the daily practice of activewear to take you from the studio to the street.

Move, Nourish, Believe. www.olraactivewear.com

 FIT AND FABRIC ENGINEERING  FIT AND FABRIC ENGINEERING  PERFORMANCE TESTED  PERFORMANCE TESTED  ACTIVEWEAR FOR WOMEN  ACTIVEWEAR FOR WOMEN

Everything we do at hummel starts and ends with sports. This also applies to our fashion sub-brands: hummel Sport Style, hummel Hive as well as our many collabs. Our popular Kids collection is also centered around sportswear – designed and produced for active play and movement. www.hummel.co.uk

Empowering women to live a life that you love through Active Living™ and the daily practice of Move, Nourish, Believe.  FIT AND FABRIC ENGINEERING

With over 30 years of innovation and fit and fabric engineering they offer a wide range of high quality, affordable women’s owering women to oweringworkout women to clothes. alife lifethat that you love love you www.lornajane.co.uk

 PERFORMANCE TESTED  ACTIVEWEAR FOR WOMEN

ugh Active Living™ Living™ gh Active the daily practice he daily practice of of e, Nourish, Believe. , Nourish, Believe.

AND FABRIC ENGINEERING A UK performance activewear brand AND FABRIC ENGINEERING delivering quality, eco-friendly, affordable RFORMANCE TESTED sports apparel. Intelligently designed to FORMANCE TESTED

training, enhance your

WOMEN optimise your TIVEWEAR FOR VEWEARperformance, FOR WOMENUse NUTS on checking

out to enjoy a 25% discount. www.sundried.com

German functional sportswear, 100% regenerated ECONYL® nylon fiber, recycled from fishing nets and other plastic waste, which is salvaged directly from the oceans and industry. www.re-athlete.de

The latest in high-quality, accessible, sustainable sportswear apparel. Designed by you, for you, giving everyone the motivation they need to live their best life. www.gymproapparel.com

An ethically conscious brand dedicated to reducing carbon footprint & plastic pollution.

Luxury activewear made from the highest quality recyclable materials made in the uk. www.conturuk.com

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts 19

Helping you keep your members active and safe.

Have your own On-Demand shop site and generate revenue for your organisation.

On-Demand offers the following benefits; • No minimum order quantity • No stock required • No risk • No waste • Plus PERSONALISATION available on all products

Get in touch on 01252 879 378 or email info@urbanplanetltd.com SPSC UK are pioneers of Drowning Detection Technology in the UK. We combine over 20 years of industry experience and our award-winning safety solutions to help you keep your members safe in the water around the pool.

www.spscuk.com | 0845 862 0040

We build huge communities of passionate fans by fuelling and facilitating their insatiable appetite for authentic content, connection and discussion.

We provide integrated digital campaigns across display, editorial, native content, social media & video.

WE ARE FACEBOOK'S LARGEST PUBLISHER GLOBALLY

180M

Monthly Page Views

Swim Consultancy

400+

www.aquababiesglobal.com

Sport Websites

600M

Cross-platform Monthly Impressions

28M

Owned Social Followers

FOOTBALL, RUGBY, BOXING, WWE, UFC, F1, GAMING, CRICKET, NFL, E-SPORTS, BETTING, WOMEN’S SPORT

25%

AMERICAS REACH

43%

WE WORK WITH

EMEA REACH

32% APAC REACH

Brands to create and distribute their digital campaigns

Rights Holders & Publishers to develop, grow and monetise their fanbase

Get in touch to see how we can MAKE YOUR CONTENT COUNT

RUPERT@SNACK-MEDIA.COM, 07958039816

NEIL BACK

Spa Life is Europe’s leading conference, networking & business development event for spa & wellness professionals

MBE

After Dinner and Motivational Speaking

neilback.co.uk

WE SPECIALISE IN SUPPLYING GOODS AND SERVICES INTO THE INCENTIVES & REWARDS INDUSTRY. MERCHANDISE / VOUCHERS / E-CODES / ONLINE POINT-BASED PLATFORMS / FULFILMENT / SELF-FUNDED PROMOTIONS

be2b.co.uk

www.spa-life.co.uk

FEATURE

MEET THE WELLNESS EXPERT

Shelley Hepburn

Shelley Hepburn is a leading name within the luxury wellness sector.

A

highly regarded wellness and spa expert with over 20 years’ commercial experience in positioning and optimising spa, beauty and clinical brands for growth; Shelley is one of the go-to people within the sector.

During her career, Shelley has worked with some worldrenowned names, from overseeing the spa and beauty offerings for The Soho House Group, responsible for devising and launching the award-winning concept for The Ned, to setting up from scratch the first Bulgari Spa London, as well as a whole host of other high-profile projects across the globe.

Having established Shelley Hepburn Consultancy, Shelley is able to offer her wealth of experience and expertise to other luxury wellness start-ups and established brands. Offering a fully rounded senior skill set, the specialist team assists with operational set ups and openings, turn-key business solution concept development through to demonstrating genuine member and guest impact. Prestige brands which have benefited from these niche services include Elemental Herbology, Codage and Swiss Perfection.

Coconut Solutions and the Shelley Hepburn Consultancy work with each other to connect and offer support through its complementary services. Jarrod at Coconut Solutions has been working with Shelley to open new opportunities for the consultancy within the fitness sector.

Talking about her dynamic consultancy, Shelley said “The more clients I worked with, it became obvious that there was a real gap in the market for assisting with bringing ideas to life, whether that’s helping to mould concepts and assisting with design and positioning or full service, luxury openings.

Bulgari Treatment Room

The Ned Hotel

“Many of our clients would have the ideas but lack the infrastructure of support to actually make them happen, which is where we step in with our understanding of the global spa market, whether it’s a simple product launch or a five-year business plan, we are able to make concepts happen and create solutions to allow brands to grow.”

A recent substantial area of growth for the Shelley Hepburn Consultancy has been from clinical brands. With a keen eye for talent and a thorough understanding of the global wellness market and local nuances, Shelley has worked closely with the UK’s most luxury clinical brand, iS; helping to bring iS Clinical to the luxury spa market. Shelley has successfully embedded the Fire & Ice facial as well as developing fusion LED express concepts.

As with many sectors, the wellness industry has been significantly impacted by Covid. Not someone to dwell on the negative, Shelley said, “The wellness sector needed disruption and Covid has brought about a forced, accelerated change. As services begin to reopen, I envisage the demand will be sky-high with consumers looking for more intuitive, whole person health experiences, such as meditation. To meet these needs and for the future success of the spa sector, brands will have to adapt, which will see an influx of new treatments delivered outside the spa and immersed in nature, with the experience being key.

“The pandemic has been an opportunity for wellness brands to pause, reflect and move forward which can often bring about great things.”

www.shelleyhepburnconsultancy.com

Bulgari Reception

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

Bulgari Hotel

the

Nuts

21

FEATURE

Smartpod

SPACE JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE CREATIVE! Nothing has shaken the health, fitness and leisure industries quite like the past 12 months, with so many hurdles to overcome the ability to adapt and think outside the box has been the key to survival for many.

Extensive range of smart pods available

O

ne company that is helping businesses adapt to these changes and think beyond the usual bricks and mortar is Smartpod, specialists in designing stylish, contemporary pods for multi-use applications.

These bespoke, creative space solutions are a blank canvas that can be tailored to meet specific needs, from gym pods to changing pods, coffee pods to retreat pods, through to state-of-the-art golf simulator pods, presales and marketing pods, the possibilities really are endless!

Every single UK built Smartpod is unique, offering tailored high quality finishing options, the concept is simple – you design it, Smartpod build it. When time is of the essence, these fully built spaces, fitted with

the

Nuts 22

all services including sockets, lights and heater/ventilation systems can be delivered, installed and ready to generate revenue in as little as four to six weeks. What’s more, to take away the hassle of coordinating multiple contractors, Smartpod offer a full turnkey service, from planning assistance to groundworks and electrical works, all delivered in a timely and professional manner.

We caught up with Managing Director of Smartpod, Daymon Nicolson who said, “There’s definitely been a change in the way we think of and use space. More businesses are looking for stylish, standout structures and are turning away from traditional brick builds in order to achieve this. A huge advantage to using a Smartpod is that they’re fully portable, so if your business moves location, so can your Smartpod. Likewise,

many building projects can often take months to complete, whereas our pods can be installed and up and running in just four to six weeks, which is helping operators to adapt quickly, test new concepts and drive revenue quicker.

The Smartpod team has been working with Coconut for over 12 months now and the impact has been felt across the business.

Daymon said: “Jarrod has made some great introductions and connections that have led to sales and revenue. Jarrod really takes the time to get to know the product and what our USP is and can translate and apply that to prospects and open up a whole host of doors to drive revenue and sales.”

Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk | Gold Issue

FEATURE “Because the pods are so versatile” Daymon adds, “we’re seeing them being used for a variety of uses both in the home market and other markets such as health, fitness, beauty, leisure and other services. Leisure facilities, use them as breakout areas at hotels, gym pods for PTs and traditional operators add them to their existing facilities with additional gym, spa and studio space. In recent months there’s been a noticeable upturn in interest from operators within the sport and leisure sector, which is proving to be a substantial area of growth for us. The only thing that holds you back with planning your Smartpod installation is your imagination!”

www.smartpod.space

BESPOKE, CREATIVE SPACE SOLUTIONS

Gold Issue | Contact jarrod.lupson@coconutsolutions.co.uk | www.coconutsolutions.co.uk

the

Nuts 23

HEALTH FITNESS

SPA

SPORT

“Great Business Development”

From the Director of Coconut and from the people who brought you The Nuts

“Outstanding”

“Credible”

Brian Morris, CEO Aspria

Lara Morgan, Leading Entrepreneur

“Knowledgeable”

Ian Mahoney, Executive Chairman Third Space

BUSINESS REVIVAL IS HERE

It’s now time to thrive and flourish like never before!

Promotions... Loyalty... Rewards... Development... Partnerships

“Creative"

Scott Lloyd CEO Lawn Tennis Association

“Exceptional Value” Brian Parkinson Head of European Retail Huel

“Experienced”

Mark Read Commercial Director Spartan/Tough Mudder

COCONUT OFFERS A range of management support solutions, which are bespoke to you and your business, offering flexibility and cost effective support. Coconut has access to an unrivalled network of contacts based on over 35 years of experience developing brands, commercial opportunities and ROI for a range of clients.

YOU’RE IN CONTROL You decide on the commitment you need. Coconut provides a flexible approach from a set number of days, periods of time or job roles, to our new low cost/high value annual Brand Representation.

OPERATING IN THE UK

JARROD LUPSON 07879 626499 JARROD.LUPSON@COCONUTSOLUTIONS.CO.UK WWW.COCONUTSOLUTIONS.CO.UK

OPERATING ACROSS EUROPE