Allegiance Health’s new retail outlet offers feel-good items
Michigan — There are several ways products sold at the new Allegiance Wellness Marketplace are designed to make customers feel good.
The aromatherapy pillow cushions, bath salts and soy candles add comfort to life.
Many are organic and earth-friendly. For instance, the boxes in which Pangea cosmetics are packaged can be soaked in water for an hour, planted an inch deep in soil and they will sprout herbs contained in the product.
The other aspect: Many product lines were created because families’ loved ones suffered from a disease and these helped them through it or are in memory of them.
“This is a natural extension of wellness initiatives for Allegiance. More commercial, but these products are meant to get more into the hearts and minds of people,” said Tom Spoelstra, director of retail services at Allegiance Health, who previously was vice president and senior purchasing manager for Jacobson Stores Inc.
The Wellness Marketplace, 1,600-square feet of space on the main floor of One Jackson Square downtown, opened Monday. It was formerly occupied by Jackson County Community Foundation, which moved to the third floor last year.
The Wellness Marketplace differs from the gift shop at Allegiance’s hospital.
“The hospital gift shop is more a gift-giving store, so you will see a lot of cards, balloons, fresh flowers and gifts. This store is more self-use, wellness and personal care,” Spoelstra said.
The Wellness store has anchor-type products, such as cosmetics, jewelry, books and magazines and some clothing. There are also seasonal products; October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so a large display just inside the door is devoted to pink-colored products.
Many product lines have stories behind them.
