Natural Foods Merchandiser

More than 80% of all Americans say they are currently consuming or would be interested in consuming foods and/or beverages for such benefits (29). This is clearly evident by the 2008 consumer report of the Natural Foods Merchandiser, which has shown that the natural products industry in the USA grew by 9.8% in 2007 to more than US 62 billion in sales (30). The survey revealed that food, supplements and natural personal care products have contributed 57.9, 28.8 and 13.3% respectively to the total sales of natural products. In terms of sales growth, carbonated, functional, ready-to-drink tea and coffee beverages have made the highest contribution of 29.4%. 

According to the Natural Foods Merchandiser (30) in developed marketplaces, there are primarily six channels of distribution at the retail level. These include the natural products retailers/health food stores, mass market retailers (drag, grocery and discount stores), multi-level marketers, mail order, health care practitioners and the internet. The recent survey pointed out that nearly half of the natmal products are sold through natural products... 

Natural Foods Merchandiser. The Natural Foods Merchandiser Consumer Research Report 2008. Natural Foods Merchandiser USA, 2008, p 48. 

Mergentime, K., 1994, Organic Industry Roots Run Deep, Natural Foods Merchandiser, June. 

Plank, D., 1999, Minnesota Passes Law to Help Organics, Natural Foods Merchandiser, August. 

Aeeording to the Natural Foods Merchandiser, of 10 categories, only three (yogurt kefir, soups, and bread baked goods) had larger sales in natural product supermarkets. Sales of breakfast cereals, in contrast, exploded in 2003, increasing by 46 pereent ... 

Natural Foods Merchandiser, various issues. New Hope Natural Media, Boulder, CO. 

In recent years, the competition for the food dollar has increased, forcing conventional food stores to rethink their pricing and product mix. Discount mass merchandise stores, warehouse stores and supercenters have managed to get a larger market share because of their lower prices. In an effort to draw consumers away from specialized stores, like butcher shops or natural foods stores, some supermarkets have included a full service meat counter with butchers on call and a natural foods section for those who prefer those foods, among other changes. 

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