Health and Wellness Industry Sales at $68 Billion

Health and Wellness Industry Sales at $68 Billion

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa.Retail sales within the consumer packaged goods health and wellness industry reached $68 billion in 2004, according to new data released by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) (www.nmisolutions.com). The increase represents a total growth of 8.5 percent over retail sales in 2003.

Despite recent economic challenges, consumer spending last year in the health and wellness industry continued to rise, said Steve French, managing partner for NMI. We project this trend to continue with sales reaching more than $73 billion in 2005.

The industrys top sales continue to be among functional and fortified foods and beverages. This category accounts for $23.4 billion or 34 percent of the total industry. However, the greatest growth occurred in the organic foods and beverages segment, at 18 percent growth between 2003 and 2004.