nootropics Archives - Unique Health Products

There is no doubt that the face of retail in Australia is evolving. There are hurdles to overcome… but there are also many opportunities, particularly for those in the booming health retail space.

Our Unique Health Products Sales Reps are on the road meeting with retailers every day. This gives them incredible insights into the current state of retail across a broad range of categories.

One of those Sales Reps is Laura Collins. A qualified Nutritionist, Laura has been on the Unique team for more than seven years. She knows health retail inside and out and has her finger on the pulse for what’s trending in the industry.

So we sat down with Laura to get her take on the key opportunities for natural, organic, fair-trade and eco-friendly retail today.

1. CAPITALISE ON MARKET GROWTH

In recent years, the way consumers look at health has changed. Not only is the definition of health much broader, covering everything from immunity to wellness, mindfulness and lifestyle elements of health, but it is also more mainstream.

“There is an understanding and acceptance now that health food doesn’t just belong in a health food store ,” explains Laura. “Health food often has higher margins and offers consumers a point of difference. More and more grocery, pharmacy and other specialty retailers are taking on health food products in a big way.”

There are also a number of consumer trends that are driving this mainstream shift. Plant-based eating is on the rise, as are low-carb, low-sugar and keto diets. Consumers are also far more savvy about the sustainability of products and they are actively seeking out eco-friendly options.

“Consumers are looking to brands like Ethique to reduce their reliance on plastic, or RXBAR for their super clean and transparent ingredients lists. There is so much opportunity for retailers to capitalise on.”

2. INTEGRATE YOUR SHELVES

The traditional approach to health food in Australia has been segregation. But Laura argues that integration is the future. It’s an approach that has seen much success in the USA and UK. It’s what customers want… and it’s also good for business.

“A lot of grocery stores have a health or gourmet section, but this can be quite limiting,” explains Laura. “In this case, only consumers who believe they can afford it head to that section. However, if your shelves are integrated and the health products sit alongside the rest of your range, you give customers more choice.

“I worked with some grocery stores in Sydney to integrate. The result was higher sales for those health products compared to similar stores in the same area that took a segregation approach. Where it makes sense to do so, weaving the products through the shelves can train the customer to purchase differently. Otherwise, you could be missing out on potential sales.”

Integration is better for sales and it’s also a better customer experience. By integrating all the options, from private label through to premium health brands, customers can make a simple decision without having to snake around different aisles.

3. EMBRACE NOOTROPICS AND ADAPTOGENS

Laura also asserts that the products with a hugely promising future are those with functional ingredients such as nootropics and adaptogens.

“We are an increasingly stressed society and consumers are looking for products to help their health and immunity. Natural alternatives to help with these concerns are increasingly popular. Adaptogens – such as rhodiola or siberian ginseng – can be really helpful. People can have vitamin deficiencies but also mineral deficiencies so mineral rich supplements such as Evolution Botanicals Himalayan Shilajit or Supercharged Food Fulvic Humic Concentrate are popular.

We haven’t even scratched the surface on nootropics in Australia but these ingredients may help with focus, productivity and reducing brain fog.”

4. OFFER HEALTHY SNACKING

Keto and healthy snacks are two categories that Laura can see have a big future in the Australian market. With the popularity of keto diets and consumers reaching for convenience, brands and products that combine the two, such as Keto Naturals, HeroCup or VitaWerx, are ones you want to have on your shelves.

“Anything keto and any healthy, clean snacks are huge in health retail right now,” says Laura. “Consumers are looking for the convenience of being able to reach for snacks and products that they know are good for them. Other wellness products such as The Ginger People Ginger Shots and Alchemy Elixirs are also popular.

“Consumers are looking for products that offer a boost to their health and that’s what our range of brands and products can offer.”

YOUR TRUSTED ADVISOR IN HEALTH RETAIL

At Unique Health Products we distribute hundreds of health and wellness brands across Australia. Whether you are trying to reach new customer segments or have existing customers crying out for more natural, organic, fair-trade and eco-friendly products, we stock the best. You can shop online with us 24/7 here, or call our friendly sales team on 1800 787 904. If you don’t have a wholesale account with us yet, you can register for one here.

Attempting to predict trends for the year ahead seems somewhat of a foolish task these days but the reality is that many health product trends are slow burners, building steam gradually before becoming fully-fledged mainstream inclusions.

So despite the air of uncertainty around retail and the ever-changing global environment that we live in, experts can still predict, with fair accuracy, what we will be eating more of in the near future. We’ve tracked down the data-driven expert insights to bring you four health product trends to watch this year.

Plant proteins

meat-free-protein-plant-based-mince-trend-australia

Plant-based meat alternatives and protein sources are big business and they have been for a while now. But we’re going to see this ramp up in 2021 big time!

The plant-based protein market is predicted to grow at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%, with demand for vegan meat alternatives soaring back in 2020—sales were up by a staggering 264% by May!*

This demand isn’t just coming from those who are vegan either. It’s driven by a mix of factors—the plant-based movement, flexitarian-style diets, increased awareness around health and excessive meat consumption, climate change activism, in addition to a host of innovative ‘can’t-believe-it’s-not-meat’ replica products piquing the interest of mainstream consumers.

Nootropics

You may have seen the word ‘nootropics’ before but what exactly are they? Nootropics can be classified as ingredients, supplements, or other substances that may improve cognitive function including memory, focus, motivation or creativity. Some provide temporary enhanced performance while others work long-term to improve cognitive health and mental performance if taken consistently.

According to DataM Intelligence, the global nootropics market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% during the forecasting period (2020-2027). We’re expecting to see nootropics pop up in all kinds of products thanks to powerful marketing promoting their ability to support academic success, professional advantage, athletic performance, personal improvement and sustaining brain activities during old age.

Finding calm

The demand for functional food and beverages that help reduce anxiety, support adrenal health, reduce insomnia, help to manage stress and improve mood are sharply on the rise. In fact, according to Goldstein Research, sleep aids and stress management supplements including products with herbal extracts, ashwagandha, tryptophan, zinc and/or magnesium are the fastest-growing category within health!

Even prior to the stresses of 2020, mood/relaxing supplements were a booming category that grew at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2014 to 2019. According to Euromonitor’s ‘Health and Nutrition Survey, January and February 2020’, more than 50% of consumers around the world claimed they were suffering from ‘moderate’ to ‘extreme’ stress.

Functional flours

Originally driven by the need for alternatives to wheat and other gluten-containing flours, functional flours are gaining popularity as consumers and culinary experts seek to improve the texture, taste and nutrient profile of their gluten-free cooking.

Functional flours such as apple, chia, banana, quinoa and coconut flour are popular thanks to their additional health benefits, flavour profiles and baking capabilities, as well as their sustainable nature. Many of these are often a byproduct of other food manufacturing and help to reduce waste which makes them more sustainable options to regular flour.

There is also a continued increase in gluten-free, grain-free and low-carb diets that are driving the demand even further. According to Global Market Insights, the global gluten-free food market alone is expected to reach more than AUD$20 billion in the next six years!

Kickstart 2021 with your shelves stocked with the best trending products from Unique Health Products. You can shop online 24/7 or call our friendly sales team on 1800 787 904. If you don’t have a wholesale account with us yet, you can register for one here.

*Research and Markets, 2020, CB Insights, 2020.

Tag: nootropics

4 HEALTH RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES TO BOOST YOUR SALES