An emerging powerhouse in the natural health products industry, Arizona will see skyrocketing sales growth for the next five years, nearly doubling from $1.9 billion in 2012 to $3.7 billion in 2020, according to new data from the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA). The report, The UNPA 2005-2020 Arizona Natural Products Retail Economic Report, shows the important and growing economic impact of the natural health products industry in the state.
 
A fact sheet highlighting data from the report is available at the UNPA website. The study was unveiled at the recent UNPA Arizona State Chapter meeting at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, that featured a keynote presentation from noted natural medicine clinician, educator and author Tieraona Low Dog, MD.
 
With a strong presence from industry retailers, such as Sprouts, Whole Foods Market, GNC, Trader Joe’s and a host of independent stores; key supplement manufacturers; and leading education institutions for complementary and integrative medicine practitioners, Arizona is at the forefront of industry growth in the United States.
 
Sales growth in the state is being driven by the natural and organic foods, beverages and pet products categories.
 
The UNPA data show that growth in Arizona is being driven not only by core natural products consumers, but also by a more mainstream movement, with “Well Beings,” a health-proactive consumer, and “Fence Sitters,” those striving for a healthy lifestyle—together representing 30 percent of consumers—responsible for more than half of natural health products sales in the state.
 
Providing state-based industry economic data is long overdue and increasingly important, said UNPA President Loren Israelsen. “The natural health products industry is a dynamic, robust and maturing segment, a significant employer and producer of goods and services and an important component of American commerce,” he said. “Our industry continues to increase its health and wellness messaging and with that comes the need to educate elected representatives about the economic impact of responsible industry. Being able to share reliable sales and consumer demographics information with Congressional representatives in key states is crucial to ensure our continued growth and viability.”
 
Data for the report, compiled by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), provides a compelling state-based, economic-significance message for federal and state legislators to complement UNPA’s presence on Capitol Hill and its focus on economic and political advocacy through the creation of a unique network of state chapters in states with a strong natural products presence.
 
UNPA’s state chapter initiative is active in the following states:
 
Arizona
Colorado
Hawaii
New Hampshire/Vermont
North Carolina
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
 
The Arizona economic report, created in partnership with NMI, a specialist in health, wellness and sustainability trends based in Harleysville, PA, includes industry sales data for organic foods/beverages, natural foods/beverages, dietary supplements, natural/organic personal care and pet products and natural household items, as well as detailed consumer segmentation within the state, based on NMI’s Health & Wellness Segmentation Model.