Stretching a Niche

摘要

Health-conscious consumers are rewarding product manufacturers and retailers who provide them with natural and organic foods. Backed up by years of double-digit sales growth and similar projections for several years to come, natural and organic frozen food companies are attracting an ever-larger customer base and laying claim to a greater share of shelf space in traditional retail stores. A growing number of consumers are basing all or part of their shop-decisions on ingredient panels because of their concerns about nutrition, specific ingredients and food safety. And their commitment to these types of products is being reinforced by the ever-expanding number of choices in natural and organic foods. This pattern of growth is being further strengthened by the expanded position that many traditional supermarkets have taken in this category, as they compete for sales against successful specialty chains such as Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats, among other natural food stores. Leading brands such as Amy's Kitchen, Cedarlane Natural Foods, and Van's International Foods are building on their earlier successes with aggressive new product programs that address consumer demand for natural and organic foods for every meal occasion.