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