Our History

Target Publishing’s story began in 2000 when experienced publisher David Cann and his wife, Suzanne Cann, bought an already well-established trade title, Health Food Business from Bestway Designs Ltd.

Celebrating 30 years in publishing in 2016, David began his career in publishing at the London Daily News/Mirror Group, moving to Market Link Publishing five years later where he was a Board Director and Shareholder and was instrumental in growing the business. Increasing staff from 12 to 120 and achieving £5 million turnover in five years, where the board of directors launched the business onto the UK AIM market, before selling the business to Archant Specialist, the UK’s largest regional publisher, using the investment to launch Target Publishing.

Beginning with just the one title, Target Publishing rapidly grew, supplementing Health Food Business with two successful health food trade shows in Brighton and Harrogate, the Natural Trade Shows, and launching in-store consumer title Natural Lifestyle.

After establishing itself firmly in the health food market with a number of titles reaching all corners of the industry, Target Publishing bought its successful formula of trade and consumer titles to the complementary health and leisure sectors, beginning with the launch of IHCAN magazine and Outdoor Enthusiast, and shortly after followed by IHCAN Lifestyle (re-branded to True Health in 2014) and Outdoor Enthusiast Retailer.

Fast forward to today, and Target Publishing continues to be one of the UK’s leading independent publishers with over 20 staff working across 15 titles which produce 100 issues a year and organising 30 events annually. The business continues to be family-owned and run, with David and Suzanne very much still part of Target Publishing’s vision and strategy for the future.

Timeline

March 2000: Target Publishing bought Health Food Business magazine

November 2000: Organic & Natural Business is launched

January 2001: The Natural Trade Directory is launched

September 2001: The Natural Trade Shows are launched

January 2002: IHCAN magazine is launched

September 2002: The IHCAN Directory is launched

March 2003: Natural Lifestyle is launched

September 2004: Outdoor Enthusiast is launched

September 2005: Outdoor Enthusiast Retailer is launched

March 2007: Naturally Good Health is launched

April 2007: Foot by Foot walking guide is launched (re-branded to Top Trails Guide in 2012)

September 2007: IHCAN Lifestyle is launched. (re-branded to True Health in 2014)

March 2008: IHCAN Conferences are launched

September 2008: Private Schools Revealed magazine is launched. (re-branded to Private Schools magazine in 2014)

March 2010: Functional Sports Nutrition magazine is launched

January 2011: The digital magazine, Nutrition I-Mag, is launched

March 2012: Natural Pharmacy Business is launched

May 2013: Sports Nutrition Live is launched

June 2014: Mature Marketing Summit is launched

September 2014: The official magazine of the National Eye Health Week, Vista, is launched

January 2015: In Supply is launched.

June 2015: IHCAN Summit is launched

June 2015: IHCAN Conferences Webinars are launched

September 2015: Totally Active is launched

October 2015: Natural Health Trade Summit is launched

October 2015: In Lab is launched

November 2015: Totally Active is launched

July 2016: Inside Gut Health is launched.

October 2016: Snow Enthusiast is launched

January 2017: Getting Active Outdoors is launched

May 2018: Green Outdoors is launched

January 2020: Inside – Veganuary is launched

April 2020: Accredited as a Gold Standard four-day week employer

September 2020: The IHCAN Conferences Virtual Event is launched

March 2023: The IHCAN magazine Podcasts are launched

October 2023: The Natural Health Trade Summit Bristol is launched

September 2025: The Natural Health Trade Summit Ireland is launched