Strong growth for health & wellness products, market analysts reveal

Despite a worsening US economic outlook and the impact of the September 11 attacks on consumer confidence, shoppers continue to buy organic milk, veggie burgers and other health and wellness products at a rapid rate, US market research firm SPINS reported recently. In September 2001, nationwide sales of health and wellness products in conventional retail outlets grew 21.5 per cent versus the same period a year ago, far outpacing the growth of the overall packaged goods industry. SPINS, in conjunction with ACNielsen, analysed sales of a range of health and wellness categories, including organic foods, soy products, and "healthy indulgence" snacks and desserts. Their findings reveal that organic milk grew 32.0 per cent in September versus year ago, consistent with the 30+ per cent gains the category has made for the past several months. Non-Dairy Beverages, fuelled by strong sales of refrigerated soy milk, also grew rapidly, at 45.4 per cent in September versus one year ago, consistent with the growth for the category during June, July, and August. In the category of healthy indulgence foods, frozen desserts, including organic ice cream and non-dairy desserts, increased 42.6 per cent in September versus year ago, the category's highest growth rate in the last four months. Confectionery, including organic chocolate, showed its highest growth of the last four months, 53.7 per cent versus year ago. Paddy Spence, Chief Executive Officer of SPINS said: "Health and wellness continues to be a bright spot in the US economy. This information clearly shows that for many Americans, these products are increasingly a necessity, not a luxury."​ SPINS used a scanner-based tracking service for health and wellness products in conventional supermarket, drug and mass merchandiser outlets to accumulate its market information.