Market Research Briefs

A study commissioned by the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based General Merchandise Distributors Council Educational Foundation found that nearly 80 percent of 1,200 shoppers, ages 18 to 65, feel that whole health is more important now than it was two years ago. Of the study’s participants, only one-third to 40 percent felt they are actually practicing a whole-health lifestyle, while 80 percent said they could do more. Contact: 719.576.4260.

According to an annual survey conducted by the United Soybean Board, 75 percent of American consumers consider soy products healthy, up from 71 percent last year; 39 percent are aware of soy’s specific health benefits; and 27 percent in 2000 altered their eating habits to include soy products.Visit: www.unitedsoybean.org.

“Survival Strategies in Consumer Health Care,” a series of reports by U.K.-based Nicholas Hall & Co., discusses strategies for survival and growth in the $9.3 billion cough, cold and allergy market. Contact: reports@nicholashall.com.

A new report by London-based Promar Intl. discusses the size of the U.S. functional foods market and examines reasons behind its strong growth. Visit: www.just-food.com.

According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic sales in the U.S. are $6.6 billion—56 percent of which come from supermarkets, while 20 percent come from natural foods stores. By comparison, organic sales were $180 million in 1980, OTA says. Additionally, OTA says that listing forms for its 2001 “Organic Export Directory” are due Nov. 30. Visit: www.ota.com.

Nearly 100 mergers and acquisitions (M&As) occurred in 1999 vs. 16 in 1996, according to “M&A Report 2000,” a new study by Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ). Visit: www.nutritionbusiness.com.

A study published in the October Journal of the American Geriatrics Society says that ginkgo biloba may not benefit dementia and memory impairment in the elderly. Visit: www.amgeriatrics.com.

According to “Beyond Foodservice … How Consumers View Meals,” a new report by the Washington-based Food Marketing Institute (FMI), meal planning and preparation are consumers’ primary frustrations. The report suggests that well-designed and managed meal solutions programs could present lucrative opportunities for retailers. Additionally, FMI says in its “2000 Report From the Supermarket Pharmacy Survey” that grocery store pharmacies reported a halt in declining gross profit margins and saw increases in weekly sales and market share. Visit: www.fmi.org/pub.