Sales soar for wellness products

Retail sales within the U.S. consumer packaged goods health and wellness industry reached $102.75 billion in 2007, representing growth of 15 percent over 2006, according to Harleysville, Pa.-based Natural Marketing Institute (NMI). NMI predicts that double-digit growth of the health and wellness marketplace will continue with projected sales of $170 billion by 2012.   According to NMI President Maryellen Molyneaux, functional and fortified foods/beverage continue to comprise the largest segment within the health and wellness category, representing more than one-third of all industry sales; up 12 percent versus 2006. NMI predicts this category will continue to grow, driven by consumers’ desire for increased management of their health and more health options, and the high number of new product introductions available that answer those needs.   The natural/organic personal care category showed the largest growth over 2006, at 29 percent. Based on recent in-depth research, NMI predicts 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.   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). NMI’s Health & Wellness Trends Report