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U.S. Market for Vitamins, Supplements, and Minerals

Published by: Packaged Facts

Published: Nov. 1, 1998 - 412 Pages

Now 25% off the original sale price of $2,750.

Table of Contents


I. Executive Summary

The Products


Historical Overview

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act

FDA Attempts to Reassert Itself

Product Breakouts

The Market


1998 Sales Near $9 Billion

Table 1-1: Retail Sales of US Vitamin, Supplement, and Mineral Market, 1994-2003 (dollars)

Supplements Spurring Growth

Sales by Retail Outlet Type

Sales by Product Type in Health and Natural Food Stores

Sales by Product Type in Drugstores and Mass Merchandisers

Sales by Product Type in Food Stores

Positive Factors Affecting Market Growth

Negative Factors Affecting Market Growth

The Marketers


Hundreds of Companies in Field

Leading VSM Marketers

Private Label Holds Major Share

Variant Marketing Methods

Growing Emphasis on New Products

Figure 1-1: The US VSM Market: Number of New Product Introductions, 1990-October 1998

New Products Increasingly Specialized

Medical Claims Joined by Pharmaceutical-Style Packaging

Sleeping Giants Awaken

Mergers and Acquisitions

Distribution and Retail


Two Distinct Distribution Sectors

Distributor Margins for the Two Sectors

Health and Natural Food Stores Essential for VSM Market

Customer Service in Health and Natural Food Stores

Larger Retail Margins in Health and Natural Food Stores

Mass Merchandisers Compete on Price, Selection, and Advertising

VSM Also Important to Drugstores


Space Devoted to VSM Products

The Consumer


Percentage of US Adults Using VSM Products Is Growing

Demographics of VSM Users

Heavy Users of VSM Products

Multiple Formulas Most Popular, Followed by Vitamins C and E

Highest Percentage Shop for VSM Products at Drugstores; Mass
Merchandisers Gaining

Consumers Believe VSM Important for Good Nutrition and Health Main Reasons for Not Taking Vitamins

Scope and Methodology


Market Parameters

Report Methodology

II. The Products

Scope of Report


Nutritional Vitamins, Supplements, and Minerals Sold at Retail

History of the Industry


Discovering Deficiencies

A Market Develops

First Laws Governing Vitamins

Megadoses Recommended by Some Authorities

"Miracle Properties" of Vitamin E Prompt FDA Attention FDA Sets
Maximum and Minimum Limits for RDA

Proxmire Amendment Reins in FDA, Opens Market

NLEA Gives FDA New Rules and Power

FDA Proposes Strict VSM-Claims Guidelines

FDA Takes Firm Stand, Particularly Against Herbal Supplements Passage of DSHEA Is Victory for Industry

FDA Attacks DSHEA After Ephedra Incident

The April 1998 FDA Proposal

Structure/Function Claims vs Disease Claims

President's Commission Recommendations

Industry Responds to FDA Proposal

Proposed Rules Set the Stage for More FDA Power FDA Responds to Flood of Structure/Function Claims

Product Breakouts


Three Product Categories¾And a Fourth Emerging

Product Definition: Vitamins

30 Known Vitamins, But Need Established for Only 14
Fat-Soluble or Water-Soluble

Certain Vitamins Are Also Antioxidants

Product Definition: Supplements

Herbal Products Major Segment of Supplement Category

Phytonutrients (Vegetables in Tablet Form)

Product Definition: Minerals

18 Minerals, But RDIs Currently Set for Only 12

Product Definition: VSM Combos

Pills (Tablets and Capsules) Most Common Delivery System

Single-Element vs Multivitamins/Minerals

Adults' vs Children's

Synthetic vs Natural

Health and Natural Food vs Mass Market

Table 2-1: Guide to Vitamins (16 Vitamins)

Table 2-2: Guide to Supplements (60 Supplements)

Table 2-3: Guide to Active Minerals (14 Minerals)

Government and Industry Regulators


Vitamins, Supplements, and Minerals Regulated by the FDA

RDAs, RDIs, DRVs, and DVs

RDA Revision Likely for Older Americans

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act

Structure/Function Statements

Third-Party Literature

Recognized Health Claims

Supplement Facts Panels

Trade Associations


American Botanical Council

American College of Nutrition

American Herbal Products Association

Citizens for Health

Council for Responsible Nutrition

Herb Research Foundation

National Nutritional Foods Association

The US Pharmacopoeia

III. The Market


Figure 3-1: Retail Sales of US VSM Market, 1994-1998 (dollars)

Market Size and Growth


Sales Difficult to Quantify


1998 Sales Near $9 Billion

Sales Increases for Vitamins and Minerals Modest

Supplements Spurring Growth

Table 3-1: Retail Sales of US VSM Market, 1994-1998 (dollars)

Market Composition


Supplements Claim 44% of Market

Figure 3-2: Share of US VSM Sales by Product Category, 1994 vs
1998 (percent)

VSM Combos Also Fueling Growth

Health and Natural Food Stores Remain Stronghold

Mass Merchandisers Overtake Drugstores in Mass Market Table 3-2: Share of US VSM Sales by Retail Outlet Type, 1994-1998 (percent): 9 Outlet Types

Supplements Claim 62% of Health Food Sector VSM Sales Table 3-3: Share of US VSM Sales by Product Type: Health and Natural Food Stores, 1994-1998 (percent)

Sales by Segment in Health Food Sector

Top-Selling VSM Products in Nature's Bounty's Stores

Top-Selling Herbs

Table 3-4: Top-Selling Single Herbs in US Health and Natural Food Stores, 1997-1998 (percent): 10 Herbs, Other

Supplements Garner 29% of Mass Merchandiser/Drugstore VSM Sales Adult Multivitamins Remain Largest Segment

Table 3-5: Share of US VSM Sales by Product Type: Mass Merchandisers and Drugstores, 1994-1998 (percent) Vitamin Share Slips Below Two-Thirds in Food Stores

Table 3-6: Share of US VSM Sales by Product Type: Food Stores, 1994-1998 (percent)

West Leads Market for Vitamin and Mineral Use

Table 3-7: Regionality of Use of Vitamins and Minerals, 1998 (percent and index): West, Northeast, Midwest, South

Los Angeles and New York Biggest for Supermarket Sales Portland, Oregon Shows Highest Propensity for Vitamin Purchases Other Top Markets

Sales Stronger in Winter Months

Factors to Market Growth


Prevention and Self-Care Trend

Aging Population Will Drive VSM Sales

Living Longer, Living Well

Diets Deficient in Vitamins and Minerals

New Calcium RDIs Not Met

Higher Levels of Vitamin D


New Recommendations for Vitamins C and E

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12

Increased Interest in Natural Medicines

Increased Use of Herbal Supplements

Growing Interest in Ayurvedic Medicine

Women's Health and Aging

Modern Men's Health Involves Nutrition

Bones and Joints: An Aging Problem

Consumers Seeking VSMs to Fight or Prevent Chronic Diseases
Expanded Mainstream Distribution Adds to Growth

A New Playing Field with DSHEA

FDA Tries to Rein in VSM Industry

Private Testing Group Questions Label Claims

Standardization an Issue

WHO Medicinal Plant Monographs Anticipated by End of 1998
Associations Promote VSM Industry

Research Supports Interest in VSM Products

NIH Takes New Look at International Research

Not All Studies Positive

Too Much Can Be Potentially Harmful

New Products Based on New Science

Mainstream Press Picks Up Trend

Media Plus Extensive Advertising Campaigns Fuel Interest

Retailers Respond

A New Attitude Among Health Professionals

The Role of Medical Schools

A New Publication

HMOs and Insurance Companies Acknowledge Alternative Medicine
Vitamin Users Expanding to Other Products

Potential for Growth: Nearly Half of Adults Still Non-Users

Wall Street Healthy on VSM Sales

Big Players Enter Market, Beef Up Efforts

Foods and Beverages with VSM Ingredients Heighten Visibility, But Could Divert Sales

Increased Competition Leads to Lower Prices

Lack of Education Still an Obstacle

Supply Prices for Natural Vitamins Climbing

Figure 3-3: Projected Retail Sales of US VSM Market, 1998-2003 (dollars)

Projected Market Growth


Sales to Surpass $23 Billion by 2003


9%-7% Growth Rates for Vitamins

25%-17% Annual Growth Rates for Supplements

Minerals to Continue Slow Growth

Growth Expected Well Into the Future

Table 3-8: Projected Retail Sales of US VSM Market, 1998-2003 (dollars)

IV. The Marketers

The Marketers


Approximately 850 Companies in Market

Health and Natural Food Store Suppliers

Dominant Herbal Supplement Companies

Pharmaceutical Supplement Leaders

Cross-Over Now Occurring

Leading Broadline Marketers in the Mass Market

Multivitamin Mass Marketers Usually Large Conglomerates

New Players with Promise

Store Brands Play Important Role

Leading Direct Marketers

Mail-Order Marketers

Table 4-1: The US Market for Vitamin, Supplement, and Mineral Products: Selected Marketers and Brands (224 Marketers)

Marketer and Brand Shares


Leading Brands in Health and Natural Food Stores

Top-Selling Brands in Mass Merchandisers

Top-Selling Brands in Drugstores

Top-Selling Brands in Food Stores

Private Label Major, But Minerals and Supplements Show Decline

Table 4-2: Leading VSM Products Distributed by Nature's Best: By Product Segment Share of Sales, 2nd Quarter 1998 (company, brand/product, percent): 16 Product Segments

Table 4-3: Top VSM Products Sold Through Mass Merchandisers: By Product Segment Share of Sales, 1997 (brand and percent): 5 Product Segments

Table 4-4: Top VSM Products Sold Through Drugstores: By Product Segment Shares of Sales, 1997 (brand and percent): 5 Product Segments

Table 4-5: Top VSM Products Sold Through Food Stores: By Product Segment Share of Sales, 1997 (brand and percent): 5 Product Segments

Table 4-6: Private-Label VSM Sales Through the US Mass Market: By Distribution Outlet and Product Segment, 1995 vs 1997 (percent): 3 Product Segments

Competitive Overview


Increased Competition; Survival of the Fittest

Small Companies Better Positioned to Spring New Products Declining Stock Market Affects VSM Companies

Mergers and Acquisitions

Significant Marketing Budgets

Pharmaceutical Companies Up Activity

Lower Price Points and Greater Selection

Standardization vs Whole Herbal Products

Medical Legitimacy

St John's Wort Wars

Battle Lines Have Blurred

Differences Still Remain in Marketing

Competitive Focus: The Health and Natural Food Sector


New Products Drive Market

A Highly Fragmented Market

The Fight for Shelf Space

Line Extensions Win Shelf Space

Market Segments by Demographics and Symptom

Whole Food Ingredients for the Health and Natural Food Market
Natural and Technical Innovation Drive Market

Marketers Promote Through Health and Natural Food Publications
Advertising Expenditures Up, But Most Competition Still at Store Level
Marketers Stake Claims with In-Store Displays

Retailers Wooed at Trade Shows

Seminars and Lectures

Competitive Focus: The Mass Market


Largest Players Use Consumer Advertising and Promotion

Significance of Good Reputation

Health Food Products Repackaged for Mass Market

Price and Value Competition

Competition by Stores for Their Own Brands

Companies Compete by Specializing

Marketers Offer Plan-O-Grams and Shelf-Stocking Assistance

Competitive Profile: American Home Products Corp


Corporate Overview

Move Toward Pharmaceuticals

VSM Part of Consumer Healthcare Division

Agreement with PharmaPrint

Merger Misses

Acquisition of Solgar

Competitive Profile: Bayer AG


Corporate Overview

Emphasis on Health Care and Life Sciences

Consumer Care Division Handles VSMs

Recent Introductions and Future Plans

Investments in Research

Competitive Profile: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc
(Pharmaton Natural Health Products)



Corporate Overview

Marketing Support for Ginsana

Beyond Ginsana

Competitive Profile: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co


Corporate Overview

VSM Part of Mead Johnson Nutritionals

More Attention to Pharmaceuticals

Future Growth Through International Business

Competitive Profile: Country Life Vitamins


Corporate Overview

History and Growth

Product Marketing Support

Competitive Profile: IVC Industries, Inc


Corporate Overview

Company Brands

Manufacturing Capabilities

Competitive Profile: Johnson & Johnson


Corporate Overview

VSM Products Marketed by McNeil Consumer Products Co

Growth Through New Products and Acquisitions

Competitive Profile: Leiner Health Products Group, Inc


Corporate Overview

A Leading Brand in Mass Market and in Private Label

Expanding Distribution

Healthy Increases for Herbs

Company Innovations

Your Life: Flagship Brand

The "Body Benefits" Category-Management Program

Competitive Profile: Natrol, Inc


Corporate Overview


Health and Natural Food Store Roots, Mass-Market Entry

Over 250 Products

New Products

Natrol Basics Line

Promotional Support

US Patent Awarded

Acquisition of Herbal Tea Line

Competitive Profile: NBTY, Inc


Corporate Overview

Diversified Distribution

New Products and Merchandising

Innovative Company

The Vitamin World Success

Mail-Order Acquisitions

Production Capabilities

Future Growth

Alliance with Advanced Plant Pharmaceuticals

Competitive Profile: Pharmavite Corp


Corporate Overview

Company History

Pharmavite Products

Products Meet USP Standards for Dissolution

Marketing Efforts

Pharmavite Vitamin and Herb University

Competitive Profile: Rexall Sundown, Inc


Corporate Overview

Many Products Sold Through Several Channels

History of Quality at Lower Price

Sundown: The Flagship Brand

Growth in Direct Marketing and Mail Order

More Aggressive Marketing

Other 1998 Activity

Marketing Trends


Growing Emphasis on New Products

Structure/Function Claims in Mass Market

Evidence of Softening as FDA Reacts

Pharmaceutical-Style Packaging and Promotional Materials

Unified Line Names

Use of Branded Ingredients

Marketers Participate in Co-Op Advertising

Endorsements and Celebrities

New Product Trends


Number of VSM Introductions Continue to Skyrocket

Table 4-7: The US VSM Market: Number of New Product Introductions, 1990-October 1998

Products Increasingly Specialized

Formulating VSM Combos: Vitamins with Herbs

"Hot" New Mass-Market Herbal Supplements

The St John's Wort Explosion

Top-Selling Herbs in Health and Natural Food Stores

Products for Demographic Groups

Products Endorsed by Doctors

Cholesterol Lowering Products

Products for Achy Joints

Essential Fatty Acids Diversify

Liquid Concentrates

More Children's Products

Table 4-8: The US Market for Vitamins, Supplements, and Minerals: Selected New Product Introductions, January 1998-September 1998

Consumer Advertising and Promotion


More Spent on VSM Advertising in 1997 and 1998

Many VSM Marketers Advertise

Top Advertisers—$10 Million+

Other Leading Advertisers

Disease Prevention and Cure¾Covertly Advertised

Structure/Function Claims: Limited Medical Language

Use of Claims Varies

Potency and Standardization

Scientific References and Language Sells Products

All-Natural and Whole Plants

Paradise—Or a Life Preserver—in a Bottle

Everyday People

Extraordinary Bodies

Educational Material Promotes Products

Educational Programs Also Sell VSM Products

Coupons and Rebates

Other Mass-Market Promotions

Consumer In-Store Magazines

Radio Health Shows

Contests and Sweepstakes

Examples of Consumer Advertising and Promotion

Trade Advertising and Promotion


Trade Ads Used by Most Marketers

Messages Different in Mass and Health and Natural Food Markets

Marketers Use Displays to Compete for Retail Space

Educational Retail Training Provided by Marketers

Marketers Offer Retailers Shelf-Planning and Maintenance Services

Trade Shows

Discounts Are Common Component of Promotions

Examples of Trade Advertising and Promotion

V. Distribution And Retail

At the Distribution Level


Two Distinct Distribution Sectors

Health and Natural Food Independent Distributors

Several Large Distributors Dominate Health Food Sector

Centralized Warehouses for Large Natural Food Retailers

Health and Natural Food Retailers Buying Direct

Mass-Market VSMs and Warehouse Delivery

A Few Mass Marketers Deliver Direct

Leading Drug Wholesalers

Distributor Margins for the Two Sectors Differ

Forward Buying by Distributors

Distributor Services

Brokers Support Marketers' Sales Efforts

At the Retail Level


Health and Natural Food Stores Retain Largest Share

Figure 5-1: Share of US VSM Sales by Retail Outlet Type, 1998

The Well-Stocked VSM Section

Category Management: Grouping Products by Function

Margins and Prices by Retailer Type

Retail Focus: Health and Natural Food Stores


Sector Essential to VSM Industry

VSMs Account for About 40% of Store Sales

Health Food Chains Are Oriented to VSMs

Educated Personnel

Competition for Health and Natural Food Stores

Meeting the Competition

Stores Growing Larger, Reaching Broader Customer Base

Selling Space for VSMs Is Growing

Number of Full Lines Carried Is Increasing


The Whole Foods Approach

VSM Selection in a Small Natural Food Store

Private Label Growing in Importance

Gross Margins Are Higher

Prices Also Higher

Major Promotional Tools

Slotting Fees—A New Trend?

Retail Focus: Mass Merchandisers


Competing on Price, Selection, and Advertising

Space Devoted to VSM

Private Label Key to Product Mix

Retailers Attracted by High Margins and Growth

Expanded Efforts to Reach VSM Consumers

Wal-Mart's Take Shape Centers

Retail Focus: Drugstores


VSMs Are Important to Drugstores

Responding to Competition from Discounters

Independent Drugstores Banking on VSMs

Organization of VSM Selection

VSM Products Usually Placed Near Pharmacy

Drugstore Staff Typically Not Trained

Increased Shelf Space

Chain Drugs Expanding Variety

Stores-Within-Stores

Gross Margins Exceed 33%

Willing to Offer In-Store Education

Rite Aid's Vitamin Club

Retail Focus: Supermarkets


Share of Sales Small from VSMs

VSMs Usually Located in HBC

VSM Departments Usually Small

Expanding to Second Locations

Full "Health Food Store" Departments

Private Label by Safeway

Training Staff to Answer Consumers' Questions

Gross Margins of 37%

Tips for Stronger VSM Sales

Retail Focus: Multi-Level, Mail-Order, and Internet Marketing


Multi-Level Marketing Works for VSMs

Unique Supplements Are Best Sellers


Personalized Service and Sales Techniques

Mail Order Still Strong on Price

VSMs Are Naturals on the World Wide Web

Web Advantages

VI. The Consumer

Consumer Usage of VSMs


The Simmons Survey System

56% of US Adults Use VSMs

Medium Users Account for Nearly Two-Thirds of Usage

37% Take Herbal Supplements

Women and Older Consumers

Education, Occupation, and Income Linked to VSM Use

Table 6-1: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Use of VSM
Products: All Users vs Heavy Users, 1998 (US Adults)

Use and Heavy Use Are Higher in the West

Role of Household Size

Usage by Product Type


Multiple Formula Use Most Common, Followed by Vitamins C and E
Various Types of Supplements Used by About 5% of Consumers Other
Types of Products Used by Less Than 5%

Table 6-2: Percent of Consumers Who Use VSM Products by Product Type, 1993 vs 1998 (US Adults)

Vitamin E Most Popular Supplement

TheWhole FoodsSurvey of Health and Natural Food Shoppers VSM Products Used by Health and Natural Food Shoppers

Table 6-3: Percent of Health and Natural Food Store Shoppers Who Purchased VSM Products: By Product Type, 1996 vs 1998 (percent): 34 Type of Products

Increases and Decreases

Demographics by Product Type


Indicators for Use of Multiple Formula

Older Consumers, Small Households, and Westerners Use Vitamin C
Indicators for Use of Vitamin E

Older Women Use Calcium

Indicators for Use of Vitamin B-Complex

Education Not Factor for Vitamin B12 Use

Indicators for Use of Garlic Supplements

Broad Age Span for Use of Antioxidants

Young Mothers Buy Iron

Indicators for Use of Herbal Supplements


45+ Brackets Are Prime Users of Beta Carotene

Indicators for Use of Vitamin A

Table 6-4: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Use of VSM
Products: By Product Type, 1998 (US Adults): Multiple
Formula, Vitamin C, Vitamin E

Table 6-5: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Use of VSM
Products: By Product Type, 1998 (US Adults): Calcium,
Vitamin B-Complex, Vitamin B12

Table 6-6: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Use of VSM
Products: By Product Type, 1998 (US Adults): Garlic,
Antioxidants, Iron

Table 6-7: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Use of VSM
Products: By Product Type, 1998 (US Adults): Herbal
Supplements, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A

Consumer Purchasing Patterns


Highest Percentage Shop for VSM Products at Drugstores

Older Consumers, Women, and Northeasterners Purchase at Drugstores Indicators for Shopping at Mass Merchandisers and Discount Stores Consumers Age 35-44, Westerners, and College Graduates Buy from Food Stores

Indicators for Purchasing in Health and Natural Food/Vitamin Stores Aging Boomers and Older, Women, and College-Educated Buy by Mail Table 6-8: Where Consumers Shop for VSM Products, 1993 vs 1998 (percent): 6 Outlets

Table 6-9: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Purchase of VSM
Products: By Retailer Type, 1998 (US Adults): Drugstores, Mass Merchandisers/Discount Stores, Supermarkets/Groceries Table 6-10: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Purchase of VSM
Products: By Retailer Type, 1998 (US Adults): Health
Food/Vitamin Store, Mail Order

Consumer Attitudes


Reasons for Supplementation

Educated Shoppers

Why Consumers Do Not Take VSM

Beliefs About Herbal Supplements

Preference for Mass-Market Shopping

Appendix I: Examples Of Consumer Advertising
And Promotions


Appendix II: Addresses Of Selected Marketers



Abstract

A complete update of a popular Packaged Facts bestseller, this study examines the current market for vitamins, supplements, and minerals profiling leading mass market and health food suppliers, sizing up new product introductions, and tabulating market size and growth. Projecting year-by-year dollar sales through 2002, this study explores the many factors fueling growth. Distribution and retail trends are tracked, as are trends in consumer attitudes and product purchasing.

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