| e are beginning to take an interest in the | | | | them into their shops and lines. Despite the economic |
| environment and are also becoming more aware of | | | | drops, people still need to buy necessities such as |
| the chemicals they put in/on their own bodies. The | | | | soap and shampoo so why not buy natural ones. |
| sales of natural and organic products are on the rise, | | | | Natural items pose as something different or a little |
| despite the global dip in economy. Although in the US | | | | treat. |
| food, fuel and utility prices are on the up, people | | | | Scott Potter is the managing partner of private |
| seem to find a little extra money to treat | | | | equity firm San Francisco Equity Partners. The |
| themselves to products which they can be assured | | | | company has recently made a $14 million investment |
| are chemical free. | | | | in the brand, ‘Yes To Carrots’; an |
| According to a report from the Chicago research firm | | | | Israel based company, producing hair and skin |
| Mintel, Last year in the US sales of natural and | | | | products containing beta-carotene, who have seen |
| organic products rose by 12.5 percent, (taking into | | | | their sales double since there debut in the States last |
| account inflation) to $465 million and are predicted to | | | | year. Potter sees natural cosmetics as the |
| rise again this year to $513 million despite the | | | | “poster child for consumers trading |
| depressed US economy. | | | | up,” believing that consumers “can't |
| The Natural Products Association has estimated that | | | | afford the vacation or BMW, but can spend a couple |
| the natural cosmetic industry is expanding five times | | | | more bucks to buy something to make them feel |
| faster than the regular cosmetic industry. Daniel | | | | good.” |
| Fabricant, a spokesman for the trade group feels | | | | The industry is still trying to devise guidelines to |
| that the industry is booming because of two main | | | | stipulate what exactly makes a product natural. Earlier |
| reasons; a recent awakening to the importance of | | | | this year, the Natural Products Association created a |
| being eco-friendly and a desire among consumers for | | | | certification program, giving products a seal of |
| healthy products free of synthetic ingredients. | | | | approval if they meet certain criteria. |
| The interest in natural cosmetics seems to stem | | | | Big companies are recognizing the money to be made |
| from the high popularity of organic food in recent | | | | from natural products and are snapping up organic |
| years, now you can practically have an all organic | | | | brands. “It's no secret that the organic, |
| lifestyle, with products such as organic clothes and | | | | natural space is becoming huge and raising awareness |
| furniture alongside organic food and cosmetics. The | | | | with consumers,” Potter says. |
| Organic Trade Association estimates that US sales of | | | | Analysts believe that the industry is still providing |
| organic food and drink will reach nearly $23 billion this | | | | opportunity as consumers continue to turn to organic |
| year, up from $20 billion in 2007, a dramatic increase | | | | products. Organic products are no longer seen as |
| from the $1 billion in 1990. | | | | things used only by hippies and pregnant women, |
| Although last year three-quarters off organic | | | | people are not only appreciating the benefits of |
| products came from natural grocery stores and | | | | organic food but are becoming aware of the |
| pharmacies, large cosmetic brands have noticed the | | | | importance of organic and natural products; it seems |
| market for natural cosmetics and are introducing | | | | that this is an industry set to escalate. |