According to a new survey conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs for the Council for the Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., a full 51% of supplement users indicated that the economy will likely not change their supplement-purchasing habits. These findings were released today from the 2008 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements at The Conference, CRN’s Annual Symposium for the dietary supplement industry.

Survey results also showed that of the 51% who don’t plan on cutting back their supplement routine, 13% of dietary supplement consumers went further to say that supplements are “an essential part of my wellness regimen, and I cannot do without them.”

Although survey results showed that most supplement consumers don’t plan on cutting back on their supplement routine regardless of economic anxieties, some may alter their purchasing habits. In fact, nearly a third of supplement users surveyed (30%) indicated that, while they continue to purchase dietary supplements, price would become a more important factor in the purchasing process. Further, an additional 13% responded that, given the potential downturn in the economy, they will continue to purchase, but will likely purchase less in the future.

The 2008 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, formerly known as the CRN Consumer Confidence Survey, was conducted August 20-25 by Ipsos-Public Affairs and funded by CRN. The survey was conducted online and included a national sample of 2013 adults aged 18 and older. This survey has been conducted annually since 2000.