Every once in a while, I find it beneficial to check in with SPINS--all together now, a leading information provider for the Natural and Specialty Products Industry--to get a marketplace overview of some aspect in the natural products industry. Usually, I'll add a few thoughts that (I hope) explain the data in a useful way.
This time, however, the stats do all the talking.
I requested some sales information in several categories pertaining to allergies and dietary restrictions. The numbers below represent sales in all departments--think food, body, etc. As you can see, this represents just how important organic, vegan, and all the rest are to consumers. These are not fads or niche markets. We're talking about billion-dollar categories that are showing robust growth. For a manufacturer, it's at least worth taking a long look at. Right?
I should have something from NMI's Diane Ray--a terrific sources, by the way--next week that will illuminate consumer behavior. Until now, get a load of these numbers, and leave a comment if you'd like. Have a great weekend.
Channels:
Natural Supermarkets (excluding Whole Foods), Specialty Supermarkets, Conventional Multi Outlet
Source:
SPINSscan Natural, SPINSscan Specialty Gourmet, SPINSscan Conventional (Powered by IRI)
52 weeks ending 10/5/14
52 weeks ending 10/6/13
$ % Chg
Total US - Combined Channel
Vegan
Current sales: $1,453,935,584
Previous sales: $1,253,265,318
16.0% increase
Vegetarian Diet Fed
Current sales: $1,903,778,098
Previous sales: $1,611,772,085
18.1% increase
Allergen Free Labeled
Current sales: $113,312,528
Previous sales: $87,548,299
29.4% increase
70%+ Organic
Current sales: $11,924,308,343
Previous sales: $10,472,370,714
13.9% increase
Gluten Free (Labeled and Certified)
$22,077,352,543
$19,261,889,597
14.6% increase
Certified Gluten Free Cert Organization
$3,247,141,342
$3,180,995,478
2.1% increase