Why Natural Products Industry Jobs Are Increasing

Posted by Ginni Garner on Oct 9 2012

Why Natural Products Jobs Are IncreasingA new report from SPINS, a company that quantifies information on the natural products industry and on consumer and market dynamics underlying the industry's growth, contains lots of good news for natural products retailers. Growth rates for 2012 are estimated to be around 15 percent for the most recent three-month period. Aligning with SPINS’ report is one from Nutrition Business Journal, which predicts that the U.S. natural and organic food sales market will grow 11.4 percent to an impressive $51.1 billion for all of 2012.

Here’s a quick snapshot of nine additional statistics cited by SPINS that should encourage natural retailers, suppliers and their employees:

  • Organic – Up 17 percent over the same 2011 time period.
  • Fair Trade – Up 19 percent
  • Gluten-free – Up 22 percent
  • Non-GMO –Up 21 percent
  • Food – Up 17 percent
  • Personal care – Up 13 percent
  • Herbs and supplements – Up 12 percent
  • Specialty foods – Up 20 percent
  • Core natural brands – Contribute 73 percent of retailers’ sales volume, which SPINS says shows the importance of these brands as drivers of the natural products industry.

It’s exciting to watch this sector as it matures and deploys more strategic and sophisticated strategies aimed at their retail partners. For example, more and more natural companies are taking a page from bigger consumer organizations and focusing with laser-like precision on improving the supplier-to-retailer sales channel, using updated sales and information technology and choosing a direct salesforce model over a broker network.

From the retailer’s point of view, their suppliers are doing a good job bringing products to the market that are attracting new customers and, perhaps more importantly, solidifying support among committed natural products consumers. Retailers committed to giving significant shelf space to such products are learning that, according to the Supermarket News, “New customer acquisition is no longer the greatest opportunity for grocers. Rather, the big opportunity is in increasing your share of wallet amongst your existing customers. To drive loyalty, you want to focus on your best customers and learn from them. This small group can represent the majority of your business. In fact research has shown that 10 percent of your customers can make up 50 percent of your sales.”

It’s an exciting time to be a recruitment consultant specializing in the natural products industry. Growth across the entire industry, from growers to ingredients to retailers, means more job openings as companies develop new products, open new markets and expand their workforce. Look for increased demand for CEO jobs, executives with international experience, top sales management skills and product research and development capabilities. Let us be your partner in growing your natural products company. Who do you need to help launch your company to the next stage? 

natural health recruiting

Topics: natural products jobs, executive recruiters, nutrition, executive search

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