Boosting immunity, prevention top-of-mind for consumers

Prevention remains a priority for consumers heading into cough-cold season, as evidenced by the sales of two brands well known for their immunity-boosting benefits.

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For the 52 weeks ended Dec. 28, 2014, sales of Emergen-C totaled $114.3 million across total U.S. multi-outlets, up 6.2%. And sales of Airborne totaled $123.9 million on 11.9% growth. In fact, as many as 50.3% of consumers are stocking up on immunity boosting supplements before the season, according to a Field Agent survey conducted on behalf of Drug Store News.



A separate survey conducted by WorkPlace Impact last year determined that as many as 43% of women keep a cough-cold product in their desk during the winter months, “just in case” they get sick.



And taking preventive measures is a big deal for these women — 73.3% rely on hand sanitizer to help keep them well during cough-cold season, 65.3% rely on vitamins to boost their immune systems and 60.9% make sure to get their annual flu shot to keep from getting sick.