Alternative Healthcare 2012

• Publication date: October 2012

Executive Summary This Key Note Market Assessment examines the alternative healthcare market in the UK; it covers the market for herbal, homeopathic and aromatherapy products. It will also consider the main alternative healthcare treatments and therapies, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy and reflexology. The market for alternative healthcare is highly diverse and continues to expand in terms of the varie...

Executive Summary

This Key Note Market Assessment examines the alternative healthcare market in the UK; it covers the market for herbal, homeopathic and aromatherapy products. It will also consider the main alternative healthcare treatments and therapies, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy and reflexology. The market for alternative healthcare is highly diverse and continues to expand in terms of the variety of options available to consumers. Around one in every five adults in Britain is thought to be a consumer of this market; approximately 6 million people in the UK use alternative therapies. Sales of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) peaked in 2008, however, the sector has been declining since, impacted by the economic downturn.
The abolition of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from resale price maintenance (RPM) in 2001 has resulted in substantially increased sales of herbal, homeopathic and aromatherapy products through grocery multiples, which are now legally able to sell them at discounted prices. This has enabled them to gain significant market share, particularly taken from pharmacies and healthfood stores. The major player within grocery multiples is Tesco, which is increasingly offering own-label products in addition to branded goods.
The major manufacturers and suppliers of branded herbal products continue to be GR Lane, Diomed, Bioforce and Klosterfrau. These represent products ranging from St John’s wort to special formulations such as Olbas, Kalms and Echinaforce. The main suppliers of branded homeopathic remedies are A Nelson and Weleda. In the aromatherapy sector, the market has several large and many small companies importing, blending and packaging oils for sale through a variety of channels.
Within this Market Assessment, Key Note analyses a specially commissioned consumer survey, carried out by NEMS Market Research. This research reveals that in the 12 months to September 2012, 21.8% of respondents had used herbal products or dietary supplements, while 19% had chiropractic, osteopathy, massage therapy, or other bodywork therapy. In contrast to these figures, fewer than one in ten had used aromatherapy, homeopathic or naturopathy remedies, and fewer than one in twenty had used acupuncture. The survey reveals that, despite uptake of treatments being relatively low, the majority of respondents agreed that more alternative therapies should be available on the National Health Service (NHS).
The market for CAM is expected to fall further in 2012 — by 2.4% — however, Key Note projects that the value of the market will increase year-on-year thereafter. Key Note expects that demand for alternative healthcare will grow as the UK’s economy improves in the next few years and consumer confidence returns.

Alternative Medicine Industry in the United Kingdom

Table of Contents

Foreword
Executive Summary
Introduction
OVERVIEW
DEFINITION
Strategic Overview
MARKET DYNAMICS AND SEGMENTATION
The Economy
A Holistic Approach
Alternative Healthcare Within the NHS
Employment
Other Trends and Issues
Regulations and Legislation
Market Size
DISTRIBUTION
COMPETITIVE STRUCTURE
ADVERTISING
THE CONSUMER
MARKET FORECAST
Market Analysis
INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF THERAPY
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Manipulation Therapies
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Reflexology
Other Alternative Therapies
Other Industry Associations and Authorities
MARKET SIZE
Herbal Remedies
Homeopathic Remedies
Aromatherapy Oils
MARKET SHARES
Herbal Remedies
Homeopathic Remedies
Aromatherapy Oils
Advertising and Promotion
MAIN MEDIA ADVERTISING EXPENDITURE
EXHIBITIONS
Distribution
ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS
An International Perspective
MARKET DEVELOPMENTS
WHO GUIDELINES
PEST Analysis
POLITICAL
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL
TECHNOLOGICAL
Consumer Dynamics
OVERVIEW
CONSUMER PENETRATION
"I Have Used Herbal Products or Dietary Supplements in the Past Months"
"I Have Had Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, or Other Bodywork Therapy in the Past Months"
"I Have Had Aromatherapy, Homeopathic Remedies and Naturopathy in the Past Months"
"I Have Had Acupuncture in the Last Months"
"I Have Used Complementary Alternative Medicine at Some Point in My Life"
"I Have Had Alternative Healthcare Treatments/Therapies at Some Point in My Life"
CONSUMER ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS
"I Would Be More Likely To Use Herbal or Homeopathic Remedies If They Were Officially Registered as Safe and Effective for Particular Ailments"
"I Prefer to Use Alternative Healthcare Treatments Whenever Possible Instead of Taking Conventional Medicines"
"More Alternative Healthcare Treatments Should Be Available on the NHS"
Company Profiles
INTRODUCTION
HERBAL AND HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
A Nelson and Co Ltd
Bee Health Ltd
Bioforce (UK) Ltd
Diomed Developments Ltd
GR Lane Health Products Ltd
Holland and Barrett Retail Ltd
Klosterfrau Healthcare Group
Natures Aid Ltd
New Nordic Ltd
Schwabe Pharma (UK) Ltd
Seven Seas Ltd
Weleda (UK) Ltd
Other Brands and Retailers' Own Labels
AROMATHERAPY OILS
Absolute Aromas Ltd
Bay House Ingredients
Cotswold Lavender Ltd
Eve Taylor (London) Ltd
Fragrant Earth International Ltd
Kobashi
Neal's Yard (Natural Remedies) Ltd
New Seasons Natural Products Ltd
Norfolk Essentials Oils
Plantain Cosmetic Innovations Ltd
Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd
SandD Aroma Ltd
Tisserand Aromatherapy
The Future
INTRODUCTION
ECONOMIC TRENDS
FORECASTS TO
Herbal Remedies
Homeopathic Remedies
Aromatherapy Oils
FUTURE TRENDS
Further Sources
Associations
Publications
General Sources
Government Publications
Key Note Sources
Key Note Ltd
Understanding Consumer Survey Data
Number, Profile, Penetration
Social Grade
Standard Region
Key Note Research
The Key Note Range of Reports