07.01.09
U.S. retail sales for the consumer packaged goods health and wellness industry reached more than $112 billion in 2008, representing growth of 9% over 2007, according to the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), Harleysville, PA. Based on consumer spending by product segment, consumer penetration/usage trends and projected data, industry retail dollars in billions for 2008 (and growth versus 2007) are as follows: functional/fortified foods and beverages: $40.5 (5%); organic foods/beverages: $24 (18%); vitamins, minerals, herbal and dietary supplements: $23 (7%); natural foods/beverages: $15 (4%); natural/organic personal care: $8 (7%); natural/organic general merchandise: $2 (32%). These findings are part of NMI’s annual Health & Wellness Trends Database (HWTD) research study, conducted in the fourth quarter of 2008 among 5709 U.S. households. NMI projects that the health and wellness industry as a whole will remain relatively stable over the next five years, growing at approximately 7% each year.