Weight-management solutions sought over dieting

The weight-control category is growing at a healthy 4.5% clip with $3.3 billion across total U.S. multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ended Nov. 1, according to IRI. But with a third of the country still considered obese, according to the latest CDC statistics, there is still a significant opportunity to reach aspirational consumers — not with a weight-loss solution per se, but a weight-management solution.

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“Consumers are looking for guidance on how to control their weight, they are looking for products that work and work together as part of a simple yet effective plan,” Paul Gagliano, EVP sales at SlimFast, told Drug Store News. “Retailers can capitalize by merchandising products together and communicating to the consumer how the products work together as part of a plan.”



“While consumers are deeply interested in weight loss, their mindset has changed,” added James Chambers, president, CEO and director at Weight Watchers. “They want to get there in new ways. Less attractive is the approach of dieting and restriction. Rather, they are seeking solutions.”



This past fall, SlimFast launched 15 new items as part of the SlimFast Advanced line, including ready-to-drinks, powders, bars, 100-calorie snacks and a capsule to round out the complete SlimFast plan.