NMI study shows 15 percent gain in sales of health and wellness products
HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. Sales of health and wellness products reached $102.8 billion last year, representing growth of 15 percent according to a Natural Marketing Institute report issued last week.
“Functional and fortified foods/beverage continue to comprise the largest segment within the health and wellness category,” stated Maryellen Molyneaux, NMI president. “[That segment] represents more than one-third of all industry sales [and is] up 12 percent [in sales] versus 2006.”
And the category is projected to continue growing, Molyneaux said, driven by consumers’ desire for increased management of their health and more health options, and the high number of new product introductions across food and beverages that answer those needs.
The natural/organic personal care category represented the largest growth over 2006, at 29 percent. Based on recent research, NMI projects that this category will show staying power as evidenced by 842 new product introductions in 2007. Organic food/beverages also show impressive growth of 25 percent over 2006 and 2,107 new production introductions last year, the report noted.
Based on consumer spending by product segment, consumer penetration/usage trends, and projected data, industry retail dollars in billions for 2007 (and growth versus 2006) are as follows:
- Functional/Fortified Foods & Beverages : $38.6 (12 percent)
- Vitamins, Minerals, Herbal & Dietary Supplements: $21.7 (7 percent)
- Organic Foods/Beverages: $19.0 (25 percent)
- Natural Foods/Beverages: $14.1 (4 percent)
- Natural/Organic Personal Care: $7.8 (29 percent)
- Natural/Organic General Merchandise: $1.5 (21 percent)