| One of the largest markets for wellness | | | | kicking and screaming."In response to the |
| products, is targeted directly at the needs | | | | realities of getting older, the baby boomers |
| and concerns of the "baby boomer" | | | | have discovered a new appreciation for, and |
| generation.This generation, defined as those | | | | an active persuit of a healthier lifestyle. |
| born between the years 1946 and 1964, | | | | They are watching their diets, exercising |
| represents the most affluent and influential | | | | more, and beginning to look seriously at |
| section of the economy.Over 90 million strong | | | | natural/alternative and preventative |
| in the U.S. and Canada, the "baby boomers" | | | | healthcare. As a result, the Diet and |
| have had a dramatic effect on every facet of | | | | Nutrition and Personal Care industries are |
| life. As this market segment has moved | | | | now estimated to be a 56 Billion dollar |
| through life, they have literally dominated | | | | annual market. They are expected to double in |
| the marketplace. When they were infants, the | | | | the next five years alone!This is the |
| marketplace responded with the prepared baby | | | | marketplace that 'wellness' products and |
| food industry--resulting in supercharged | | | | services are targeted at. Products that are |
| growth in that market....from 270 million | | | | specifically designed and formulated to |
| jars per year to 1.5 billion jars.When the | | | | address the needs and concerns of this aging |
| boomers reached their early childhood, the | | | | population are perfectly positioned for |
| market responded with Frisbees, Hula Hoops, | | | | growth and profits.As a great marketing guru |
| Skateboards, TinkerToys, etc.....billions of | | | | once said..."To be successful, always ride |
| dollars worth!As the teenage years came along | | | | the marketing horse in the direction it wants |
| so did the advent of fast food franchises | | | | to go." That marketing guru was my |
| such as McDonalds, Burger King, Kentucky | | | | grandfather. He did not realize how profound |
| Fried Chicken, etc. Franchisees became rich | | | | his words would become. The baby boomers have |
| as the baby boomers filled up on french | | | | spoken with crystal clarity...they want high |
| fries, burgers, and soft drinks.Community | | | | quality, natural healthcare products that |
| infrastructure was also dramatically | | | | make them feel and look younger, give them |
| effected. Elementary and High Schools were | | | | increased energy, enable them to control |
| built at a break-neck speed to accomodate | | | | weight, help them strengthen their immune |
| this generations educational needs. Social | | | | systems, and give them a high quality of |
| programs were implemented as a direct result | | | | life.Dr. Ken Dychtwald, author of AgeWave, |
| of the huge numbers of new problems and | | | | states it this way..."Entire industries will |
| opportunities that this massive group | | | | rise and fall in response to this |
| created.Young adulthood brought with it | | | | anti-ageing, anti-obesity, pro-longevity |
| changes in fashion preferences...which | | | | obsession." He goes on to say..."With the |
| resulted in marketing phenomenons such as The | | | | middle-aging of the boomers, we are beginning |
| Gap which went from $600,000 in sales in 1969 | | | | to feel the impact of the demographic 'age |
| to 99 Million in 1976...today those figures | | | | wave', whose mass and force will ultimately |
| are off the map.According to a report on CBS | | | | challenge every aspect of our personal, |
| news, this same baby boomer generation now | | | | social, financial and political dynamics".As |
| accounts for an incredible One Trillion | | | | has been the case from the birth of the first |
| Dollars in annual income! The marketplace | | | | baby-boomers, there now exists tremendous |
| continues to respond to this generations | | | | opportunity for companies and individuals who |
| every whim.... now when you hear a music | | | | recognize the trends, and are able and |
| background for popular advertisements, it is | | | | willing to capitalize on them. You can be |
| likely to be an old tune from the 60's, and | | | | such an individual by recognizing the |
| 70's.As the baby boomer generation enters the | | | | opportunity that wellness products |
| fifth decade of life they have begun to | | | | present.(C) Copyright 2005... Thom Reece is |
| approach the "aging process" as a | | | | the creator of [ } a leading portal and |
| not-so-inviting-prospect. Indeed they are | | | | training site for the network marketing |
| doing everything in their power to slow down | | | | industry, and the CEO of Online Marketing |
| this process and to extend their lifespan | | | | Group in Hawaii. Thom can be reached by email |
| with quality years. As one marketer | | | | at: thom'AT'e-comprofits. |
| commented: "They are entering middle age | | | | |