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The U.S. Mature Market

Published by: Packaged Facts

Published: Sep. 1, 1998 - 309 Pages

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

Table of Contents


I. Executive Summary

Demographics


Mature Market No Longer Begins at 50

Nearly 57 Million Americans Age 55-Plus

Those 55-64 Constitute "Working Mature"

65- to 79-Year-Olds Are "Young Retirees"

Those 80 and Over Constitute America's Elderly

Table 1-1: Projected Growth of Mature Population, 1998-2050 (number): From Age 55 to Age 80+

Through 2050, Mature Population Will Be Fastest-Growing "Lifestage" More Important Indicator Than Age

Regional Distribution of Mature Americans

Mature Americans Are Nation's Wealthiest

Financial Concerns Increase with Age

Educational Attainment Will Affect Future Mature 55- to 64-Year-Olds Most Likely to Be Married

Fewer Elderly Live in Family Households

Five Key Values Underlie Mature Behavior

The Market


1998 Market Estimated at Nearly $994 Billion

Figure 1-1: Estimated Share of Mature Market by Age Group, 1998 (percent and dollars): From Age 55 to Age 75+ Mature Americans Control Most of Nation's Wealth

Market Will Grow—Especially as Boomers Enter

Mature Americans as Consumers


Introduction

55- to 64-Year-Old Expenditures Contradict Myths About Mature Market

Retirement Age: The Good Life Begins

Healthcare Dominates Spending of Those 75-Plus

Mature Americans' Use of Media


Mature Adults Are Major Media Consumers

Older Adults Watch More Television Than 18- to 49-Year-Olds 75% of Mature Americans Listen to Radio Daily

Mature Americans Consume All Forms of Print Media Mature Consumers Read Direct Mail

Use of Electronic Media Growing

Marketing to Mature Americans


Marketers Have Come a Long Way

Mature Market Highly Diverse

Identify the Target Cohort

Age-Specific Advertising Can Be Deadly

Scope and Methodology


Americans Age 55 and Over Comprise Mature Market

Methodology

II. Demographics

Overview


Mature Market No Longer Begins at 50

Even Without Boomers, Mature Market Highly Diverse Mature Consumers Misread as Difficult to Please

Mature Market Worth Nearly $10 Trillion

Figure 2-1: Projected Growth of Mature Population, 1998-2050 (number): From Age 55 to Age 80+

Population


Nearly 57 Million Americans Age 55-Plus

Those 55-64 Constitute "Working Mature"

65- to 79-Year-Olds Are "Young Retirees"

Those 80 and Over Constitute America's Elderly

Table 2-1: Projected Growth of Mature Population, 1998-2050 (number): From Age 55 to Age 80+

Centenarians Increasing

Americans Enjoying Longer Life Expectancy

Through 2050, Mature Population Will Be Fastest-Growing "Lifestage" a More Important Indicator Than Age

Females Increasingly Outnumber Males with Age

Table 2-2: Percentage of Mature Population by Age and Gender, 1998 (number and percent): From Age 55 to Age 80+ Although Whites Dominate, Mature Population Becoming More Diverse with Time

Table 2-3: Mature Americans (55+) by Race, 1998 vs 2003 (percent): 5 Races/Ethnic Groups

Regional Distribution of Mature Americans

Table 2-4: Percentage of Households: By Geographic Distribution and Age of Householder, 1996 (percent): United States, Northeast, Midwest, South, West

Geographic Distribution of Mature Population by State
Table 2-5: Geographic Distribution of Mature Households: By Age and State, 1996 (percent)

Most Populous States Have Most Persons 65+

County Data Show Where Elderly Gather

More Than 50% of 65+ in Just 10 States by 2020

Reasons Behind Residence

Employment and Economic Status


Mature Americans Are Nation's Wealthiest

Consumers 55-64 Have Average Annual Income of $35,201

Those 65-Plus Have Annual Income of $23,835

The 65-Plus Enjoy Higher Living Standards Than Any Elderly Generation in History

Two Tiers of Elderly: Either Well-Off or Poor

Minorities, Women, and Singles Fare Far Worse Than Whites, Married Couples

Figure 2-2: Poverty Rates for Americans 65-Plus: By Marital Status, 1993 (percent): Married Couples, Unmarried Men, Unmarried Women

Figure 2-3: Poverty Rates for Americans 65-Plus: By Race, 1996 (percent): White, African American, Hispanic

Men Retiring Earlier; Women Staying in Workforce Longer

Retirement Patterns Differ Among Occupations

Retirement Patterns Reflect Economic Needs

Women More Likely to Have Pensions in Future

Today's Retirees Rely on Employer-Based Programs, Social Security Many Boomers Will Continue Working

Financial Concerns Increase with Age

Life Cycle Is Changing

Will Boomers Be Able to Afford Retirement?

Education


Educational Attainment Will Affect Future Mature

Family Status


55- to 64-Year-Olds Most Likely to Be Married

Table 2-6: Marital Status of Mature Americans by Age, 1996 (percent): From Age 55 to Age 85+

More Elderly Women Than Men Live Alone

Children Present in Some Households Headed by 50- to 64-Year-Olds

Grandparenting Important for Mature Americans

Many Mature Americans Assume New Child-Rearing Responsibilities

Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren Alone Likely to Be Poor
Raising a Second Set of Children Can Upset Best-Laid Retirement
Plans

One in Five Grandparents Are Step-Grandparents

Living Arrangements


Fewer Elderly Live in Family Households

More Than One in Four Adults 65-Plus Live Alone

But Living Alone Need Not Imply Being Lonely

Many Who Live Alone Do So by Choice

13 Million Americans 65-Plus Still Drive

Health Issues


Physical Changes Accompany Aging

The Eyes: One of the First Things to Weaken

Hearing Acuity Also Diminishes with Age

Changes to the Skin

Sensitivity to Touch Diminishes

Menopause

Reduction of Sexual Functioning

Baldness or Thinning Hair

Heart Disease

Prostate Cancer

Diminished Strength and Flexibility of Joints

Manual Dexterity and Body Movement Can Be Impaired

Bones May Become Brittle

Oral Maintenance Becomes Increasing Concern

Reflexes, Mental Agility May Slow

Nearly Half May Spend Time in Nursing Home

Most Elderly Free of Serious Chronic Health Problems

Majority of 85-Plus Need No Help

Recent Trends Promise Better Health for Tomorrow's Elderly

Rate of Illness Down 11% in 1980s

Use of Assistive Devices Will Prolong Independence for Many

Psychographics


Individuation Increases with Age

Five Key Values Underlie Mature Behavior

Individualism Makes Mature Market Diverse

Birth Cohorts Give Insight to Mental Landscape of Mature Americans

Four Birth Cohorts Describe Today's Mature Americans

Depression Cohort Source of Many Stereotypes About Aging

World War II Cohort

Post-War Cohort Good Warm-Up to Baby Boomers

Boomers I Represent First Wave of Baby Boomers

Health a Key Factor in Autonomy, Self-Esteem

Appearance an Important Factor, Particularly for Women


Aging Perhaps More Psychologically Stressful for Men
Americans Picture Themselves Younger Than Their Chronological
Age

Growing Numbers See Maturity and Retirement As Time of Fulfillment

Volunteerism and Charitable Contributions

Senior Resources Stress Positives of Aging

Oldest Old Find Inner Satisfactions

III. The Market


Figure 3-1: Estimated Share of Mature Market by Age Group, 1998
(percent and dollars): From Age 55 to Age 75+

Market Size and Growth


1995 Market Exceeds $900 Billion

Table 3-1: Estimated Size of Mature Market by Age Group, 1995 (# of households, household income, aggregate income): From Age 55 to Age 75+

1998 Market Estimated at Nearly $994 Billion

Table 3-2: Estimated Size of Mature Market: By Age Group, 1995-1998 (numbers and dollars): From Age 55 to Age 75+

Bulk of Mature Wealth Is in Under-65 Market

Americans 65-74 Have $306 Billion in Aggregate Income

Americans 75 and Over Have Nearly $193 Billion in Spending Power

Mature Americans Control Most of Nation's Wealth

Table 3-3: Percent Owning and Median Value of Selected Assets by Age of Householder, 1993 (percent): Motor Vehicles, Homes, Interest-Bearing Accounts, IRA/KEOGH, Stocks/Mutual Fund Shares

Factors Affecting Market Growth


Market Will Grow—Especially as Boomers Enter

Boomers' Spending Ability Proven

Depression Cohort Being Replaced by Freer-Spending "Ikes"

Congress Likely to Amend Social Security and Medicare

Projected Market Growth


Market to Grow 26% in Next Five Years

Table 3-4: Projected Growth of Mature Market, 1995-2003 (dollars): Number of Households, Average Household Income, Aggregate Income

IV. Mature Americans As Consumers

Spending on Consumer Products and Services


Introduction and Notes


Table 4-1: Average Annual Household Expenditures by Mature Americans: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 15
Categories


55- to 64-Year-Old Expenditures Contradict Myths About Mature
Market

Mature Spending Reflects Hybrid Cohort Traits

Retirement Age: The Good Life Begins

Healthcare Dominates Spending of Those 75-Plus

Aggregate Household Expenditures of Mature Americans

Table 4-2: Aggregate Annual Household Expenditures on Selected Items by Mature Americans, 1995 (dollars): 15 Categories

Mature Americans Important Consumers of Many Products and Services

Mature Consumers of Housing


More Housing Options Than Ever Before

Redesigning Retirement Communities

Less Lavish Housing Also an Option

Service-Oriented Senior Housing

Lifecare and Continuing Care Communities

Mature Consumers Pay for Home-Related Services

Table 4-3: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Household Operations: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 5 Categories

Mature Consumers of Food


Mature Consumers Spend $873 Billion a Year on Food

Table 4-4: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Food Eaten at Home: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 18 Categories

Mature Consumers Drive Growth of Vitamins, Food Supplements

Food Marketers Mobilize for Growth of Nutraceutical Market

Empty-Nesters Enjoy Eating Out

Survey Shows Dining and Entertainment a Key "Empty-Nest" Pastime

Mature Consumers of Healthcare Services


As Americans Age, Healthcare Expenditures Increase

Table 4-5: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Healthcare: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 8 Categories

Medicare Doesn't Cover Everything

HMOs Increasingly Vie for Mature Consumers

Loyalty to Physician One Fly in Ointment

Extra Services Like Transportation a Plus

Aging Boomers Already Forcing Changes to HMOs

Mature Consumers Purchase Bulk of Prescription Medicines

Mature Consumers of Apparel


Pre-Retirees Spend More on Clothing Than Consumers Overall Table 4-6: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Apparel: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 5 Categories

Wool Study Finds Pre-Retirees a Key Market

Mature Consumers of Financial Services


Mature Americans Important Consumers of Financial Services

Table 4-7: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Financial Services: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 5 Categories

Investments Supplement Income of Many

Table 4-8: Percent of Households Owning Asset Types: By Age of Householder, 1993 (percent): 7 Types of Assets

Longer Life Expectancies Create Market for New Financial Products

Lack of Caregivers Creates Market for New Services

Mature Americans Use Credit Cards

Mature Consumers of Vehicles


Mature Consumers a Significant Car-Buying Demographic

Table 4-9: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Vehicles: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 5 Categories

Generational Differences in Car Preferences

Mature Consumers of Household Furnishings and Equipment


Mature Consumers Continue to Invest in Surroundings

Table 4-10: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Household Furnishings and Equipment: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 8 Categories

Mature Consumers of Entertainment


Working Mature Spend Only Slightly Less Than Larger Households on Entertainment

Table 4-11: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Entertainment: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 10 Categories

Senior Golf Is Big

Fitness Activities Growing Among Mature Americans

Mature Are Key Market for Casinos

Mature Consumers of Travel Services


Mature Spending on Travel Services

Table 4-12: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Travel Services: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 9 Categories

Mature Consumers Express "Joy of Living" Through Travel

Mature Travelers Spend More, Stay Longer

Prefer Group Travel and All-Inclusive Packages

Cruises Also Popular

Historic Travel Also Popular with Mature Americans


Key Values Are Security, Value, Reliability, and a Learning
Experience

Adventure Travel Big Hit with Mature Travelers

Mature Consumers of Assistive Living Technologies


An Emerging Market, Built on Technology

Other Technologies Available But Underutilized

Mature Consumers of Gifts


Mature Adults Spend Heavily on Gifts for Grandkids

Table 4-13: Average Household Expenditures by Mature Americans on Gifts: By Age of Householder, 1995 (dollars): 11 Categories

Grandparents Buy Gifts for Birthdays, Holidays, Graduation, and Other Special Occasions

Shopping Patterns


Over-55 Consumers Enjoy Shopping

Men Take on Greater Shopping Responsibilities at Retirement Shopping Patterns Vary by Age and Retirement

Mature Shoppers Value Value

Accustomed to Comparing Prices and Clipping Coupons

Service Part of Value Equation

Older Consumers Prefer Personal Relationships

Small Indulgences Mean a Lot

Mature Shoppers Willing to Try New Products/Brands

Older Shoppers Increasingly "Let Their Fingers Do the Walking"

At the Retail Level


Despite Their Purchasing Power, Mature Americans "Invisible" to
Most Retailers

Little Amenities Make Big Difference

Adding the Personal Touch

Rethink Signage

Consider Sign Location

Lighting a Consideration

Grocery Stores: What Mature Consumers Look For

Special Services Can Have Big Appeal

Accommodate, Don't Discriminate

Retailer Profile: The Home Depot


Focus on Customer Service Includes Mature Shoppers

An Eye on Aging Homeowners

Knowledgeable Sales Staff

Lighting and Signage Clear and Easily Readable

Retailer Profile: Supermarkets


Supermarkets Try Variety of Strategies to Satisfy Seniors

American Stores Branches into Home Healthcare

Retailer Profile: Elderhostel


Nonprofit Opens New Doors for Thousands

Making Maturity a Beginning, Not an End

V. Mature Americans' Use Of Media

Overview


Mature Adults Are Major Media Consumers

Television


Older Adults Watch More Television Than 18- to 49-Year-Olds
Yet Most Programming Ignores Older Viewers

Advertisers Chasing Audience That Has Left Them Age Groupings Obscure as Much as They Reveal CBS Attempts to Change Groupings

A&E and History Channel Also Target Mature Audiences Advertisers Prefer Younger Audiences, But Reasoning May Be Flawed

Mature Viewers Watch Evenings and Mornings; Not Late-Night Growth of Cable Creates New Programming Options Senior Channel Finds Backer

News, Movies, Sports Most Frequently Watched Adventure, Romance, and Triumph of Good Over Evil Are Popular Themes

Few Gender Differences Among Mature Audiences For Oldest Americans, Television Is Lifeline

Radio


Radio Has Nostalgic Appeal

75% Listen to Radio Daily

Country Music/News/Easy Listening Most Popular

Print


Mature Americans Consume All Forms of Print Media

Print Advertising Earns Most Respect

Growing List of Publications Targeted Specifically to Mature Audiences

Modern Maturity ,the Largest-Circulation Mature Market Magazine New Choices Focuses on "Living Even Better After 50" McCall's "PrimeTime" a Special Insert

Kiplinger's Retirement Report

Weider Publications Launches Three Titles for Mature Adults Senior Golfer Targets Upscale Retirees

More Targets Women 45 and Older


Age Wave Publications Target Boomers at 55

Other Mature Titles

Direct Mail


Home Shopping Appeals to Mature Consumers

Hundreds of Targeted Catalogs

Clothing Tops List of Items Purchased

Mature Consumers Read Direct Mail

Mature Consumers Demand Accuracy

Pre-Retirement Adults Object to Term "Senior"

Information Valued



As Are Long-Term Relationships

"Ageless America" Breaks Marketing Rules

Electronic Media


Use of Electronic Media Growing

Mature Adults Use Computers for Personal and Business Interests Mature Users Seek Content; Are Impatient with Graphics

SeniorNet: An Electronic Forum for the Mature Market

Primelife Advisory Network Seeks Electronic Input

Another PrimeLife Bills Itself as "Intermag"

NAMA Offers Online Discounts

WebTV a Hit with Seniors

VI. Marketing To Mature Americans

Marketing Fundamentals


Marketers Have Come a Long Way

Mature Market Highly Diverse

Identify the Target Cohort

Age-Specific Advertising Can Be Deadly

Five Key Values Motivate Mature Consumers

Autonomy and Self-Sufficiency Big Part of Equation



Balanced by Social and Spiritual Connectedness

Altruism Tied to Social and Spiritual Connectedness

Personal Growth Also a Goal

Revitalization Reinforces Internal Self-Renewal

Most Effective Ads Reflect Two or More Values

Subtlety Is Important

Grandparenting Theme Is Effective

Coca-Cola Spot Features "The Real Things" in Life

Pepsi's Intergenerational Spot Uses Humor

Partnership for Drug-Free America Does Grandparents Proud

Show Older Adults Breaking the Mold

Marketers Need Not Always Show the Unusual

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words


"Ageless" Theme Also Effective

Associate Ailments with Living, Not Aging

Build One-on-One Relationships

Test Market Humor

Humor More Important with Boomers

Older Consumers Like Storytelling; Will Sit Still for Longer Commercials

Some Practical Considerations

Use of Celebrities and Language When Marketing to Mature Americans

Mature Adults Starved for Contemporary Role Models

Use of Celebrities Not Particularly Important

Mature Adults Respect Proper Use of Language

Call Them "Mature Adults"; Avoid "Seniors" and "Silver"

VII. Examples Of Campaigns And Strategies Targeted
To Mature Americans


Overview


Growing List of Marketers Taking Aim at Mature Consumers

Housing Communities and Services


Marketers Advertise Lifestyle

The Villages and Del Webb's Sun City Grand Stress Active, Country-Club Living

US Home's Heritage Communities: Now the Fun Begins

Covenant Retirement Communities Stress Communal Living

States and Cities Also Try to Lure Retirees

Food and Beverages


Denny's, Little Caesar's, and Wendy's Have Offended

But Wendy's Makes Comeback with Dave

Quaker Portrays Dynamic, Autonomous Individuals

Kellogg Effectively Targeting Wide Range of Audiences

Food Marketers Include Mature Consumers in General Market Advertising

Both Coke and Pepsi Have Effectively Targeted Mature Consumers

Few Coffee-Makers Target Mature Consumers

Ensure, Sustacal Draw Criticism for Youth of Models

Healthcare Services


Few Healthcare Providers Advertise Nationally

Kaiser-Permanente Uses Multi-Media Direct Marketing

Total Health 65 Conveys Right Attitude

Pharmaceutical Companies Increase Direct-to-Consumer Advertising


Pharmaceutical Companies Have Long Targeted Mature Consumers

Viagra Illustrates Age-Appropriate Advertising

Evista Also Advertised Effectively

Nabisco Goes Direct to Launch NutraJoint

Direct Marketing Also Effective with Cholesterol, Osteoporosis Medications

Apparel


Dearth of Clothing-Related Advertising

Sears Advertises Action Slacks by Levi Strauss

Vanity Fair Includes Older Women in Advertising

New Balance Demonstrates Importance of Product Over Positioning

Financial Services


Banks and Insurance Companies Produce Strong Advertising to
Mature Consumers

Financial Service Companies Create Service Packages for Mature Clients

Prudential Campaign Utilizes Three of Five Key Values

State Farm Understands Life

MFS Investment Management Communicates Effectively

Automobiles


Saturn Sells Relationships—an Effective Strategy with Mature
Consumers

GM Includes All Ages in Print

Nissan's "Life Is a Journey, Enjoy the Ride" Theme Reflects Mature Thinking

Ford Suggests Life Is More Fun Now That the Kids Are Gone

Dodge Offers Conversion Van as Vacation Home

Entertainment


Few Entertainment Companies Target Mature Consumers

Publishers Choice Videos

Sinclair Video Library Gets Sexy

Travel


Tour Companies, Resorts, and Travel Destinations Understand
Importance of Mature Market

Club Med Modifies Pitch to Sell "Community"

Hilton Offers Senior HHonors Program

Not All Mature Travel Marketing Luxury-Oriented

Hertz and Avis Show Active Couples Going Places

Personal Care Products


Oil of Olay Boasts Memorable Ads

Rembrandt Targets Mature Audience

VO5 Takes Different Approach

Hearing Aid Marketers Face Hard Sell

FDS Portrays Bladder Control Problems as Part of Living, Not Aging

Appendix I: Examples Of Consumer Advertising
And Promotions


Appendix II: Addresses Of Selected Mature Market
Resources



Abstract

This Packaged Facts report provides in-depth analysis of America's wealthiest, most idiosyncratic population group, which is really three different markets. The report includes: demographics of the market's three primary segments as defined by age 55-64, 65-79 and 80 and older; estimates of the market's size and projections for growth; consumer expenditures; media consumption; and examples of campaign strategies that have effectively targeted today's mature consumers.

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