As some independent natural products retailers react to recession-driven declines in customer traffic counts by offering discounts, a new nationwide consumer survey from Bellevue, Washington-based Hartman Group and National Research Network offers two cautions: One, shoppers tend to think the new, economic-downturn discounts mean the retailer has been gouging them with high prices all along and/or, two, the new lower prices mean lower quality. The survey finds that retailers who have started discounting during this recession risk losing customer trust.

“Follow me on Twitter!” Who hasn’t heard it before? And for that matter, who isn’t “Tweeting?” And for good reason, as Twitter is much more than just an instantly updated, 140 character limit, networking ‘soapbox.’ The microblogging service has actually produced tangible results for both individuals (i.e. Demi and Ashton) and businesses alike, and it’s time for the food world to embrace it.

“Kids don’t follow, what you’re sayin’
We can’t hear, what you say
Not tomorrow, not today” – Paul Westerberg