When you’re thinking about what products you’ll stock for the year ahead, you always want to be 3 steps ahead of the competition. As a health food shop owner, it’s important to keep health and wellness trends for 2020 in mind so you can get a head start.

 

The first health and wellness trends that come to mind for most are typically yoga, the latest fad diet, or green juice. And you wouldn’t be wrong, but you would only be scratching the surface. To say there is a lot going on in this $50+ billion industry would be an understatement. Just check social media and you’re bound to discover a new workout, supplement, or fat bomb recipe.

While you should never take anything at face value there is an abundance of exciting, and more importantly, legitimate, health and wellness innovations emerging each day that retailers can make use of to drive footfall in their shop. While physical health will never go out of style, 2020 will be the year of mental & spiritual health.

Why do you think self-care has been in the spotlight so much recently? It’s all about relaxation and stress-free living. Read on to find out what health and wellness trends for 2020 you should be focusing on.

Plant-Based Gainz

What looks like meat, tastes like meat, but isn’t meat? Plants. Whether it’s a meat-less burger, faux eggs, or vegan fish, 2020 will be the year of plant-based meat alternatives. While Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat have been making names for themselves for a few years now, expect to see a variety of new products and brands enter the market. One such company is Good Catch. In order to address overfishing, Good Catch has introduced “tuna” made from a variety of legumes. You can also expect to see lab-grown salmon and “shrimp” from algae. So stock your refrigerators up with some new-to-the-market plant-based alternatives to drive new and curious consumers into your shop.

The Need for Zzz’s

Considered a public health epidemic by the CDC, sleep deprivation cannot only wreak havoc on your physical appearance, but your cognition and mental health as well. Over the past year, you’ve probably come across wearable tech that tracks sleep. Now, sleep is being addressed by more categories in the health and wellness space than ever before. Expect to see more blue-light blocking glasses and screen protectors as well as mood-boosting light bulbs that can also help you wind down and wake up. Additionally, gyms, such as Equinox, are hiring sleep coaches to help their members combat sleep issues. Long-standing natural remedies that help aid sleep could fit in nicely alongside new and emerging products so 2020 is the time to shout about them.

Restorative Biohacking

While biohacking sounds like something you would do in a lab or on your computer, it’s actually about reaching your body’s maximum potential. In the past, the fitness industry has always been focused on classes and your actual workout. Now, many studios and separate entities are dedicated to the post-workout, recovery phase. In 2020, expect to see more restorative services focusing on nutrition, sleep, stress, and healing. That’s where health food shops come in – get savvy with your merchandising to compliment and support this trend with supplements that help aid recovery after workouts.

Shopping the Perimeter for Snacks

Instead of mindless snacking, consumers have become more interested in mindful snacking. As a result, you can expect to see more snacks in the market. 2020 is going to be the year of fresh convenience foods. Instead of shopping the dry foods bays for granola bars, dried banana chips, and vegetable crisps, more consumers will be purchasing refrigerated protein bars, probiotic-rich bars and drinks, dairy-free smoothies and yogurt. So, it could be a good time to consider upgrades to refrigeration units or getting set up with a grab-and-go fridge ready to make the most of this in 2020.

Dr. House…Call

In 2020, you can expect to see even more telehealth services roll out. Talking to a doctor or health practitioner via video conference allows patients to consult with a physician and receive a prescription in under 10 minutes. For patients living in rural communities or dealing with mobility issues, telehealth provides a more convenient option than having to book an appointment and get to the doctor’s office. Additionally, telehealth gives patients a more comfortable atmosphere when discussing embarrassing issues such as urinary incontinence, feminine hygiene, erectile dysfunction, and hair loss. This might be a trend worth bearing in mind as you might find your customers mention this in conversation.

Working (Out) From Home

When it comes to the future of home fitness, we’re not talking about ellipticals and treadmills. If you’re an early adopter, then you are well aware of the latest at-home fitness systems. Peloton’s popularity has sparked major competition in the space. In addition to smart exercise bikes, you can now purchase smart rowing machines and weight lifting systems. Even more impressive is Mirror, a full-length fitness mirror that acts a personal trainer. You get to choose what type of classes you want to take and then it turns into a mirror when not in use.

Home fitness = convenience. And you know damn well that people will pay top dollar for convenience so you might want to stock up on some exercise essentials for those working out at home.

So as you plan for the year ahead, keep these health and wellness trends for 2020 in mind to make the most of the evolving demands of 2020 consumers.

Source: Read the full article Social Granola