Organics: still growing!
Posted by: Megan on: 21 Apr, 2009
While a lot of businesses are taking a hit in the recession, one sector is still on the growth trajectory: organic and natural foods and products. This is great news for many of our friends in the gourmet food industry!
The fact is that although organic and natural products generally cost more, consumers are buying. According to Nielsen Co., organic food sales have increased 5.6% since December 2006- less than previous years’ growth, but an uptick nonetheless.
The trend is a result of several influencing factors:
-a wider availability of organic and natural products at grocery stores
-advertising and marketing “greenwashing”
- consumer demand for healthier, more environmentally-friendly products
Advertising Age’s Jack Neff offers some interesting ideas about green marketing in the recession. Check out his article here.
Especially intriguing is his #3 tip:
Opportunities remain.
Research by Nielsen’s concept-testing service Bases shows that environmentally focused Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability consumers have above-average purchase intent for personal care, pet products, and refrigerated, shelf-stable and frozen foods but perceive only average current product availability in those categories.
If you’ve got a great organic or natural gourmet food product that fits into any of those categories, let us know!