> Environmental and Health Concerns

Trends 2009
by author Stuart Harries

The New Year traditionally affords a chance to look back at what’s just past while creating excitement about what’s to come. It’s a time of change that generates hope for the year ahead.

After months of unprecedented ups and downs in world financial markets, this New Year finds consumers more cautious with their money than they have been for decades. They’re balancing the emotional effects of worldwide economic worries with the concrete concerns of a cooling economy.

As an alive reader, you’ll be balancing economic concerns with a desire to lead a life that’s rich in natural health and wellness. Here’s a look at the coming consumer trends that will likely have an impact on natural health shoppers like you.

The Green Shift

Despite some very real economic fears, 2009 promises continued growth in consumer consciousness. The green movement will stay top of mind with shoppers who will carry on the trend toward sustainable living and conscious purchasing.

Consumer awareness is as high as it’s ever been and companies leveraging consumer concern will see shoppers responding. Consumers will show concern about their individual carbon footprints and seek out products touting such environmental buzzwords as fair trade, locally grown, sustainable, biodegradable, and organic. Even in tough economic times consumer responsibility and awareness will continue to grow.

Keenly Aware

A broadening sense of personal health and well-being will remain a key focus for consumers in 2009. While economies are in flux, shoppers will respond by staying fit, healthy, and mentally capable of weathering the storm. They’ll shop for the health and the well-being of both themselves and their families.

Specialty diets such as raw food, whole food, gluten-free, dairy-free, and antiaging regimes will make inroads with consumers who will shop with concern for the sustainability of their personal health.

Eager Delivery

Of course, natural health and wellness retailers will be eager to deliver what consumers want. From a renewed focus on organic foods to a vibrant display of organic ingredients in skin care and supplements, 2009 promises to provide choice for consumers. Even the family pet will be turning its discerning nose to new and natural products formulated especially for it.

While there’s no way to determine just which products will resonate with consumers in 2009, alive can tell you what to expect at your favourite health and wellness retailer. The trends, at least, are clear.

Food

Fast and Fortified

In 2009 health and convenience will be top of mind for consumers. The average shopper has long recognized that certain foods provide more than the basic nutritional needs; that some foods naturally contain, or are fortified to contain, health-enhancing compounds which may help to prevent disease.

Power-packing Edibles

Consumers are currently enjoying access to more information about the nutritional depth of their favourite common foods. This occurs as antioxidants, immunity-boosting and cholesterol-lowering ingredients, and digestive aids all see increases in consumer demand.

Healthy fats shine and sustainable seafood will catch consumer attention with its healthy abundance of heart-helping oils such as omega-3.

Fruits and vegetables will remain a staple on dinner tables, but consumption should increase as consumers seek natural sources of important phytochemicals such as flavonoids and isoflavones to help fight future heart disease and cancer.

Grain products such as bread and pasta will be chosen by consumers for their whole grain benefits such as additional antioxidants and fibre.

Cereals, both hot and cold, will offer quick hits of nutrition with added fortification such as vitamins, minerals, heart-healthy oils, and cholesterol-lowering fibre.

Grocery staples such as yogourt and other fermented dairy products will deliver added doses of probiotic and prebiotic bacteria in an effort to aid digestion, increase energy, and improve immune function.

Quick, nutritious meal replacements and snack bars will command consumer attention thanks to numerous formulations offering specialized nutrition options and the easy consumption of important nutrients.

Even frozen entrees are becoming better for your health with an influx of organic ingredients and a decrease in chemical additives.

Health-boosting Refreshments

Refreshment is a hot market as consumers seek quick, easy drinks that provide an added punch of nutrition in the same container.

Stuart Harries is Senior Editor for alive magazine.

Source: alive #315, January 2009