Vitamins, Supplements and Fulfilment Trends for 2022
A recent survey carried out by the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association revealed the startling fact that over 20 million people in the UK are using health supplements each day. That’s an increase of 20% since 2019.
Of course, we’ve all been thinking about our health pretty consistently over the past two years, but Covid isn’t the only reason for our increasing desire to boost our immune system, eat healthier, and increase wellness.
6 Drivers of Vitamins & Supplements Business Growth
A recent PWC study of market trends found that, aside from Covid, there were other drivers producing sustained demand for these products. These are the 6 key drivers they found:
- Attention to Health. The availability of health-related information online has increased consumers’ attention to their health and wellbeing. This new focus is encouraging a more proactive approach to treatments and prevention.
- Sport. The UK is one of Europe’s top fitness hotspots. Our health and fitness centres engage over 10 million members in a range of activities, from yoga to bodybuilding. Our fitness goals are fuelling a demand for food supplements.
- Ageing Population. We’re living longer which means that 20% of the population has a potential requirement for calcium, vitamins, and health-giving food in order to stave off the aesthetic effects of ageing and the disorders that impact older people.
- Customised Vitamins and Supplements. There is now an awareness of the need for particular supplements linked to – for example – pregnancy, disease, or diet. Increasingly supplement recommendations are linked to age and gender.
- NHS Backlog. Our health service is still reeling from the past two years and, as a result, people are finding it more difficult to access their GP. This is driving a more proactive approach to healthcare, with prevention as a priority.
- Lifestyle Legacy. For many years, the UK has been consuming a diet rich in sugar, salt, chemical additives, and lacking fibre, and amino acids. This has lead to legacy diseases and conditions which benefit from an intake of vitamins and supplements.
Current trends in the Vitamins and Supplements Sector
Resent research has found that there are a number of reasons why the UK population decides to supplement their diet. It could be that they’re pursuing a fitness goal and need specific nutrients in order to achieve it. Alternatively, it may be to do with a hectic lifestyle. People may use vitamins for stress relief or take dietary supplements to maximise their productivity.
The top trends for the year so far, are:
Immunity
Was it just a Covid thing? Seems not. We’re now wondering why we ever put up with coughs and colds when we could have strengthened our immune systems. People continue to research online which vitamins they need according to age/gender/condition.
Mental Health
Mental health is high on the agenda, especially amongst younger people. They’re looking for stress relief, something to improve their sleep quality, and a clearer focus for work. Probiotics are seen as the link between digestion, beauty and good mental health.
Fibre
It’s key to our overall health, and yet we’ve dropped it from our diet as fast food has become a habit for busy lives. Consumers are now understanding its role in balancing the body’s hunger and sugar levels, which is why fibre is an essential supplement for 2022.
Meals
If you feel you need nutritional supplements, but you’re bewildered by the science, healthy meal boxes can do the hard work for you. This increasingly popular option offers ‘Balanced Diet Meals’, or ‘Calorie Conscious’ meals as a one-off or subscription service.
Vitamins for Pets
This isn’t just about humans; pets need supplements too. These range from specialist products for older pets, to vitamins for healthy pets or coat supplements. This very current trend is moving into pet treats and subscription services.
Looking for a 3PL Partner?
At Prolog we’re seeing more and more vitamins and supplements eCommerce businesses that started small during the pandemic and are now needing help to scale their operations fast. We specialise in warehousing, picking and packing, shipping and returns for businesses focused on health and nutrition. If you’re looking for a 3PL partner that has the experience and expertise to help you grow efficiently and successfully, we’d love to talk to you.
