SustainableBusiness.com reports that the U.S. natural products industry grew 9.1% in 2005 totalling $51.4 billion (USD). This includes increases in purchases of organic foods, green cleaning products, and cosmetics.
Natural products retailers account for half the sales at $25.5 billion and, for the first time since 1999, they experienced double-digit growth at 10.9%. Internet sales are growing rapidly, reaching $558 million. Mass-market (food, drug, club and convenience stores) rose 8%; direct-to-consumer sales rose 6.4%.
This could mean that either American consumers are becoming more aware of green products, or the availability of these products is growing, or both – despite the leanings of the U.S. federal government.