NEWS - FEBRUARY 2008
RETAIL HEALTH & SKIN CARE
Feed-back.com's latest report (Competitive Health Care Markets) analyzes three growing segments of the health care market that sell products and services directly to consumers: Medical spas, professional skin care, and retail clinics. In a new book entitled Healthcare Tsunami, two market researchers/authors cite some dire forecasts and highlight the potential for consumers to mitigate rising U.S. health care expenditures. The following abstracts describe the book and other retail health news.
Changing The Health Care Model
As reported by the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, the authors of Healthcare Tsunami forecast the emergence of a health care revolution. Costs continue to be shifted to consumers by employers and insurers. The authors contend that high-deductable plans or lack of health insurance changes consumers' behavior. Conceptually, paying out-of-pocket may be more like an "investment" than a hand-out, motivating consumers to adopt healthier lifestyles and wellness over the next twenty years. Knowledgeable consumers could apply pressure on hospitals and physicians by demanding quality services at competitive prices. For more information about the book, visit Amazon.com.
Mayo Express Care Clinics
According to the Heartland Institute's Health Care News, the Mayo Clinic has announced plans to enter the retail clinic market by opening two Mayo Express Care clinics in early 2008. Following the example of other clinics, the facilities will be staffed by nurse practitioners with the support of family medicine physicians to treat common illnesses. As noted by a spokesperson for the National Center for Policy Analysis, the respect associated with the Mayo name legitimizes the business model while also extending the Mayo brand.
Combining Cosmetics With Nutrition
Nutraceutical companies are expanding into the cosmetic market with skin care products. The latest entrant, eFoodSafety.com Inc. is marketing NumaDerm, which will be available commercially in April. One product in the new line is a "repair cream" for dry skin. Others deliver anti-oxidants, essential lipids, peptides, and phytonutrients using a nano-encapsulation technology for controlled release and absorption. For more information, visit: www.nutraingredients-usa.com.
U.S. Skin Care Market Growth In 2007
As reported in an article by Cosmetics Design, the latest assessment from Information Resources Inc. indicates that the total U.S. skin care market generated $15.1 billion in 2007. Analysts forecast room for more growth in 2008, based on strong performances in core segments of the market. Facial skin care, for example, grew 7.2% from 2006 to 2007as consumers continued to purchase high-priced premium products.
