Organic Sales Rise With Safety Concerns
By George Anderson
A new study from the market research firm Mintel says sales of organic foods and beverages have grown 81 percent over the past three years, in large part because of peoples’ concerns about the safety of the products they consume.
Roughly half of the study’s respondents, reports Mintel, were “highly concerned” about food safety while another third expressed moderate concern. In a separate question, 50 percent expressed concern about genetically modified foods.
In addition to food safety concerns, Mintel says the wider availability of organics has also led to an increase in the numbers of people buying these products. According to its research, Mintel says 44 percent of Americans now buy organics at least occasionally. That’s up from 37 percent just two years earlier.
Moderator’s Comment: Do mainstream food retailers have
the expertise and discipline to effectively manage fresh organic food departments?
Will organic private labels be adopted by more grocery stores as it already
has by the likes of Wegman’s, Trader Joe’s, Ukrop’s, etc.? –
George Anderson – Moderator