HEALTH

Multivitamins still provide plenty of opportunities via gummies, probiotics
Overall, sales of multivitamins are relatively flat — 0.2% annual growth toward a $1.8 billion base. But according to the latest consumer survey from the Council for Responsible Nutrition, 3-in-4 adults use a multivitamin. So, have sales of multivitamins plateaued, or are there pockets of opportunity out there?
Aromatherapy is piping hot
The proof a category is hot can be measured not only by the number of players looking to participate in that category, but also by the heft of new entrants. Such is the case with aromatherapy, and this year, a major player in the VMS space is “getting their sniff on.”

Randob Labs revving marketing engines for Dormin sleep aid launch
Plant-based protein takes off

Drug Store News spoke with Troy Talarico, VP sales Fusion Diet Systems, regarding the consumer diet aid trend favoring meal-replacement offerings over quick-fix solutions.

(Click here to view the full VMS Report.)

DSN: What are the factors driving the growth in sales of diet aids and meal-replacement solutions across retail pharmacy?
Nutrex powers up before workouts

Nutrex is introducing a new pre-workout product called OutLift that is differentiated by having no proprietary blend (full disclosure ingredients) and contains no “banned” ingredients. Fully-disclosed labels means the formulation of the product isn’t hiding within a proprietary ingredient. “It’s 10 clinically-dosed ingredients,” said Raul Gil, Nutrex research VP sales.
Nature's Truth introduces line of essential oil mists

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. – Nature's Truth on Thursday released a new line of essential oil mists to help drive additional traffic across a growing category.
New Doppel wearable to compete against sleep aids, energy shots

LAS VEGAS — London-based technology start-up Doppel is bringing a new generation of wearable technology to the United States that helps users stay alert or calm down, naturally and in real-time.
Female Health Company names chief commercial officer

MIAMI — The Female Health Company/Veru Healthcare on Thursday named Brian Groch the company's chief commercial officer. He will report to Mitchell Steiner, president and CEO of The Female Health Company/Veru Healthcare.
Willow introduces hands-free, mobile breast pumping solution

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Willow on Thursday introduced a breast pump mobile solution that untethers mom from the wall outlet. The new breast pump fits easily inside a bra, allowing women to achieve their breastfeeding goals without pressing pause on their own lives.
Sales growth, strong margins for VMS

The minerals/supplements category saw year-over-year growth of 8%, with the one- and two-letter vitamins up 4%. Growth was led by Quincy Bioscience followed by private label in the minerals/supplements category (see Figure 1). Prevagen led drug channel growth in minerals and supplements, which nearly doubled in sales up 87%, while IBgard’s skyrocketed 306% year over year. Larger brands that contributed with double-digit growth were Nature’s Bounty, Culturelle and Align (see Figure 2).