NEW YORK -- Retail sales of vitamin, supplement and mineral products surged past $6.5 billion in 1996, according to the "U.S. Market for Vitamins, Supplements and Minerals," a report from the New York-based research firm, Packaged Facts.
ales of supplements more than quadrupled, from $570 million to $2.3 billion.
The report says gains have been made by mass merchandisers and food stores, but health- and natural-food stores remain the market's stronghold. Private-label single vitamins account for more than one-half of the segment's sales in drug and food stores.