Solgar, a leading nutritional supplement brand and Official Vitamin Partner of the GAA/GPA, celebrated 40 years in Ireland with an exclusive retailer partner event at Croke Park. Founded in 1947 by two pharmacists and a holistic physician, Solgar has spent more than 75 years creating nature-inspired and backed by science vitamins and nutritional supplements.

The trade event brought together key retail partners for an overview of Solgar’s 2026 brand plans, upcoming product innovations, and the latest customer insights and category trends shaping the nutritional supplement market.

At the event, Solgar brand ambassadors Niamh Mallon, Galway camogie player, and Tom Morrissey, Limerick hurler, introduced the new Player’s Choice bundles, designed to help men and women reach their personal best and find their gold in everyday moments.

The event also marked the official launch of Solgar’s Train Like A Legend, Support Your Club competition, fronted by GAA legend and Solgar Brand Ambassador Colm Cooper.

Through the competition, Solgar is inviting GAA clubs nationwide to enter for the chance to win a training session with the former Kerry star and a club makeover fund valued at €5,000. Second and third place runners-up will also each receive a makeover fund valued at €5,000, which can be used towards club equipment, kit or other improvements.

The initiative is designed to support players, coaches and volunteers across Ireland in achieving high standards on and off the pitch, while reinforcing Solgar’s commitment to helping people find their gold.

Natalia Lobetska, Solgar said: “We were delighted to welcome our retail partners to Croke Park for a very special event marking 40 years of Solgar in Ireland. It was an important opportunity to share our plans for the year ahead, celebrate the strength of our partnerships, and showcase how we are continuing to support the category through innovation, insight and trusted products. We are also very proud to announce the launch of Train Like A Legend, Support Your Club, an exciting competition with Colm Cooper that will give GAA clubs across the country the chance to benefit directly. Through our GAA/GPA partnership, we are committed to supporting communities nationwide and helping more people find their gold.”

Colm Cooper, Solgar Brand Ambassador said: “It’s an honour to team up with Solgar as part of its 40th celebrations. I am encouraging clubs across the country to take the opportunity to enter and to avail of a brilliant makeover prize which will benefit clubs and make a big difference. I am also honoured to have the opportunity to provide a training session to the winning club, and I look forward immensely to togging out, sharing some of my own insights as well as learning from the players, coaches and volunteers that I will have the chance to engage with as part of the coaching session.”

Strong Growth in the Supplements Market

The event also provided valuable insights into the current state of the Irish vitamins, minerals and supplements market.

According to data presented from Kantar, the broader vitamins, herbal and mineral supplements (VHMS) market continues to perform strongly, reflecting growing consumer interest in self-care and preventative health.

The market is currently valued at:

• €112 million in take-home sales
• €47 million in online sales
• 20 per cent year-on-year growth

In addition, 58 per cent of the Irish population now purchase VHMS products.

These figures underline the growing role supplements are playing within consumers’ health routines and highlight the increasing demand for products that support wellbeing, immune health, vitality and healthy ageing.

Supporting your health as you age

One of the strongest themes to emerge from the event was the concept of health longevity.

Rather than focusing solely on lifespan, discussions centred on how people can maintain their health, independence and quality of life as they age. The emphasis was on helping consumers “supporting your health as you age” through lifestyle interventions, nutrition and targeted supplementation.

This trend is increasingly influencing consumer purchasing decisions, with growing interest in products that support mobility, cognitive function, energy levels, resilience and overall wellbeing.

For community pharmacists, the longevity conversation presents significant opportunities to engage patients around preventative healthcare and provide trusted advice on supplementation throughout different life stages.

Women’s Health and GLP-1 Support

Women’s health was also identified as a key area of growth within the supplements category.

As awareness continues to increase around issues such as menopause, hormonal health and healthy ageing, consumers are increasingly seeking evidence-based solutions and guidance. This trend presents opportunities for pharmacists to play an important educational role in supporting women through various stages of life.

GLP-1 Support

Another significant topic discussed was the rapid rise of GLP-1 medicines and their impact on broader health and nutrition conversations.

While GLP-1 medicines such as Mounjaro and Wegovy have transformed the weight management landscape, there is growing recognition that patients often require additional support beyond the prescription itself.

Discussions highlighted increasing consumer interest in areas including muscle maintenance, nutritional adequacy, vitamin and mineral intake, energy levels and overall wellbeing while undergoing weight-loss treatment.

As community pharmacy teams continue to support growing numbers of patients using GLP-1 therapies, supplementation and nutrition are expected to become increasingly important areas of conversation.

Heritage Built on Science and Quality

Paul Chamberlain, Category Development Lead reflected on Solgar’s long-standing heritage and the values that continue to underpin the brand today.

The company attributes its success to a combination of scientific rigour, product quality and consumer trust. Solgar continues to invest heavily in research and development through facilities in both the United States and Switzerland, while maintaining strict quality standards across its product portfolio.

Among the key differentiators highlighted were the brand’s extensive quality assurance programme iconic amber glass bottles, designed to protect product stability and integrity.

Attendees heard that Solgar carries out approximately 14,000 quality tests each month, while consumer confidence in the brand remains exceptionally strong, with 98 per cent of consumers stating they would recommend Solgar to others.

The message was clear: despite significant changes within the consumer health landscape, the brand remains committed to the same principles of quality, science and transparency that have defined it for decades.

Innovation Pipeline for 2026

Looking ahead, Solgar also provided a preview of several new product launches planned for September 2026.

Emma Watson, Brand Manager for the UK, discussed the company’s growing focus on healthy ageing and revealed plans for a new science-backed longevity range designed to support consumers throughout the ageing process.

Additional innovations highlighted during the event include two new multivitamin products, alongside a Hair Complex formulation aimed at supporting healthy hair growth and reducing hair loss.

The company also plans to launch a Vitality Creatine Complex with Collagen, reflecting increasing consumer interest in maintaining strength, vitality and muscle health as they age.

Importantly, these new products will be prioritised through pharmacy and health food store channels, reinforcing the important role pharmacists play in supporting informed health decisions.

Community at the Heart of Health

Colm Ó Méalóid, who oversees the GAA/GPA partnership, reinforced the significant role that community organisations play in supporting health and wellbeing across Ireland.

He highlighted the scale of engagement with the GAA, noting that around half of Ireland’s population identify as GAA fans and approximately one in nine people contribute directly to a GAA club.

Beyond sport, the GPA provides extensive support services for players, including mental health resources, professional development and welfare programmes.

These community connections, speakers argued, create valuable opportunities to promote health education and encourage positive health behaviours among the wider population.

In June Solgar launched their Train Like A Legend, Support Your Club competition, where the winning club will receive a training session with GAA legend Colm Cooper and a €5,000 club makeover. Two runner-up clubs will also receive €5,000 each. To enter the Solgar competition Train Like A Legend, Support Your Club go to https://lp.solgar.co.uk/l/Y26suq

Looking to the Future

As Solgar marks 40 years in Ireland, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of several of the most important trends shaping modern healthcare.

From healthy ageing and women’s health to sports nutrition and support for patients using GLP-1 therapies, the brand sees growing demand for evidence-based products and trusted health information.

For pharmacy teams, these developments highlight the increasingly important role they play in helping consumers navigate a complex health landscape, providing personalised advice and supporting informed choices around nutrition and supplementation.

With a growing market, a renewed focus on community engagement and a strong innovation pipeline, Solgar’s latest initiatives suggest that the next chapter of its Irish story will be as much about education and empowerment as it is about supplements themselves.