This report examines health food retailing in the UK. Consumer demands are continuing to change as awareness of food-related issues grows in response to food scares as well as health education. The number of vegetarians continues to grow and more consumers claim that they eat meat less regularly than they used to with convenience playing a large part in shaping consumer choice, in the goods they buy, as well as the way they shop. There is also a growing phenomenon among consumers of being prepared to pay for personal services, like beauty treatments and health clubs. Other retailers are emerging in the herbal/health sector, offering a remedies-based retail offer, supplemented with skincare products and usually with therapy rooms for visiting specialists. This report considers the shape of health food and health products retailing, its developments over the past two years and asks ‘Is there a future for specialists in health food retailing?’

Analysing the market’s size, trends, structure and consumers, Mintel’s research offers marketers a valuable overview of the factors that are influencing the market’s dynamics. Designed to inform and focus marketing activity, Mintel’s research highlights areas of potential that will maximise your sales and increase your share of the health food market.

Exclusive consumer research and authoritative market analysis provides insight into all the key industry issues, including:

The threat presented by supermarkets to specialist health food retailers

Expansion of the sector focusing on new entrants as well as the major players

Success of online sales and marketing

Consumer awareness of alternative medicines

The continued rise in catering for consumer convenience

Evidence of increasing age segmentation.

This report concentrates on products traditionally sold through health food stores. These include:

Natural foods: Muesli; dried fruit; cooking nuts; beans, pulses; wholewheat pasta;

wholemeal rice; others, ie wheat germ rolled oats, grains.

Vegetarian foods: Vegetarian ready meals; vegetarian cheese; comminutes egg meat-free burgers; Meat analogues/substitutes.

Other foods: Herbs, spices and seasonings; herbal teas; wholemeal/speciality bread.

Non-foods: Vitamins and dietary supplements; herbal supplements; homeopathic; aromatherapy; sports nutrition; books/tapes; slimming products; environmentally friendly household products; natural toiletries/cosmetics.