Skift Wellness

If a bar doesn't serve alcohol, is it really a bar? If a beer doesn't get you buzzed, is it really a beer? As alcohol purveyors and entrepreneurs seek to cash in on the trend of healthy beverages, twists on nonalcoholic adult drinks are popping up everywhere.

Ask any woman, and she’ll likely tell you she’s been told by a medical doctor, either implicitly or explicitly, that “it’s all in your head.” The medical industry’s tendency to dismiss many of the health concerns of female patients has been a big factor in the rise of the wellness industry.

The world of wellness is filled with overpriced products and services that unfortunately tend to exclude most people, whether racially or socioeconomically. We welcome more companies offering high-quality products that bring underrepresented groups into the picture, even if profits are sacrificed.

Amazon runs on user data. This gives the company the potential to develop its own health and wellness products specifically addressing what consumers are looking for now.

First, it was Whole Foods. Next came your garden-variety grocery stores offering up private-label good-for-you products. And now, even convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Wawa are the latest to jump onto the healthy food bandwagon.

It’s another win for CBD brands, as two major U.S. drugstore chains will now carry hemp-based pain-relief and skincare products. And it’s only a matter of time before each chain expands its offerings.

Tech companies aren't the only ones that now offer employee wellness perks. More traditional industries are now getting in on the trend and are finding value in appealing to millennials' desire for work flexibility.

Women tend to be the primary demographic in the well-being space, but companies see growth potential in the men’s market, too.

The dramatic uptick in companies that want a space at South by Southwest’s Wellness Expo reflects the rise of the industry and shows how brands are increasingly trying to reach this wellness-minded audience.

Even though wellness is a growing sector, it probably isn’t wise for legacy companies to make abrupt shifts to enter the category, which can confuse and abandon key customers –– especially when big sales are at stake.