Grocers Muscle in on Market

Sales of organic and natural products registered strong growth between October 2000 and October 2001. Results of a study by SPINS, a San Francisco-based market research firm that tracks the natural products industry, show that sales continued to grow in most product categories in natural products stores and in supermarkets.

Category

Natural products stores

Grocery stores

Nondairy beverages

2.9%

51.7%

Frozen entrees, pizzas, convenience foods

19.2%

8.5%

Milk, half-and-half, cream

14.7%

29.9%

Chips, pretzels, snacks

19.7%

33.4%

Refrigerated juices, functional beverages

10.2%

11.6%

Cold cereals

12.9%

77.9%

Organic packaged salad

60.9%

50.2%

Frozen convenience foods

22.1%

7.5%

Probiotics

19.2%

43.9%

Organic yogurt cups

31.3%

24.1%

Packaged organic cheese

29.2%

25.5%

Enhanced waters

76.5%

1,843.3%

Source: SPINSscan; ACNielsen ScanTrack/SPINS NaturalTrack; 12 months ending October 2001, versus previous year