Nutrition is changing. According to Grand View Research, the global dietary supplements market is predicted to increase at a compound growth rate of 9.1% from 2024 to 2030. This is excellent news, not only for consumers who are increasingly concerned about their well-being, but also for retailers who wish to embark on the dietary supplements adventure.
Worldwide sales in the dietary supplements market have also escalated in recent years, amounting to $177.5 billion in 2023. This trend is only set to continue: as demand for micronutrients grows, so does the range on offer. What if you, too, were to take the plunge into this flourishing business? In this article, we'll take a look at some ideas to help you get started in creating your own dietary supplement company.
What to know when creating a supplement brand and starting your business
What are dietary supplements?
Each person is different and each metabolism unique, which is why micronutrients and dietary supplements enable each person to adjust their diet to the demands of their own body.
A dietary supplement is a product designed to complement or enrich one's daily diet, alongside a balanced diet, to meet various needs. Dietary supplements can take a variety of forms, including capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, energy bars, and even candies!
Dietary supplements can contain several types of substances and serve different purposes:
- Vitamins and minerals: These are often used to make up for nutritional deficiencies and can be taken in capsule, tablet, or liquid form.
- Essential fatty acids: Necessary for the body's proper functioning, the most common essential fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6, which can be taken in capsule or oil form.
- Probiotics: These are microorganisms beneficial to intestinal function and can be taken in capsule or liquid form.
- Plants and herbs: These are often used for their medicinal properties and can be taken in capsule, tablet, or liquid form.
- Sports supplements: Designed to enhance sports performance, recovery, and muscle growth, they may contain proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
- Weight loss supplements: These can help burn fat, reduce appetite and increase metabolism. They may contain ingredients such as green tea, guarana, chromium or caffeine.
- Joint supplements: Made to help relieve joint pain, inflammation, and wear, they may contain ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, or collagen.
Dietary supplements are often used to improve health or to help achieve specific goals, such as losing weight, building muscle mass, reducing stress, or improving sleep quality. They help fill nutritional gaps, particularly in vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, or fiber.
Be careful, however, not only with their consumption, but also with the way in which they're promoted on the market: although they may come in fun or tempting forms, they're neither miracle solutions nor treats. They're not intended to replace fresh, natural foods but rather to complement them. In addition, they're not drugs, and they can't replace medical treatment prescribed by a health professional.
How are dietary supplements made, and who can make them?
Food supplements aren't simple foods, nor are they medicines. They're subject to a number of rules before they can be sold, which is why many dedicated laboratories offer their own ranges of dietary supplements.
It's not enough to develop a recipe in the kitchen and then sell it to customers. As we'll see later in this article, all manufacturers are subject to numerous obligations, which is why we strongly advise you to use dedicated laboratories or to sell your products under a white label.
How do you create your own brand involving dietary supplements?
Meet the needs of your target customer
Before embarking on the design of your dietary supplement range, have you performed market research to understand the needs of your target audience of potential customers?
Sleep, weight, stress, appetite, fitness, etc. There are dozens and dozens of reasons why consumers turn to this type of product. By carrying out this study, you'll be able to segment your sector and understand the expectations of your future consumers.
After completing this step, you'll be better equipped to offer product ranges that exceed standards, whether by duplicating the formula of an existing range or using different substances.
Fulfill the legal obligations for supplement manufacturers and sellers
As regulations concerning the manufacturing and selling of dietary supplements can vary widely from country to country, it's essential that you check your national laws to determine your specific obligations before launching your supplement business.
For example, if you're based in the United States, you should know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces strict regulations for the production and sale of dietary supplements. These regulations are distinct from those that apply to traditional drugs and food items, requiring supplement manufacturers to comply with all the stipulations of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) and the FDA.
Keep in mind as well that any dietary ingredients introduced to the market after 1994 must receive approval from the FDA through a new dietary ingredient notification before their inclusion in products. As the owner of a supplement brand, staying informed about the FDA's latest guidelines and actions regarding dietary supplements is vital for public health protection and avoiding legal issues.
It's also important to note that The FDA doesn't possess the power to authorize dietary supplements for their safety, efficacy, or label accuracy before these products are available to consumers. According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), it falls upon the dietary supplement manufacturers themselves to ensure their products adhere to the safety standards set for dietary supplements and don't breach any laws.
In addition, labels on dietary supplements must include a Supplement Facts panel, which should detail the serving size, servings per container, a comprehensive list of all dietary ingredients in the product, along with the quantity of each ingredient per serving. Additionally, the product's label must prominently display a declaration that it is a “dietary supplement” or a similar term (for example, “herbal supplement” or “iron supplement”) on the front of the package.
As far as what kinds of items to include in your business's supplement line, once again, you'll want to check what products involving the supplement industry are authorized for selling in your particular location. That being said, here are the names of some common vitamins and minerals authorized for sale in many markets:
Vitamins:
- Vitamin A
- B1
- B2
- B3
- B5
- B6
- B8
- B9
- B12
- C
- D
- E
- K
Minerals:
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Chromium
- Copper
- Iron
- Fluorine
- Iodine
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Sodium
- Zinc
Create your line of products with a laboratory
For all the obligations and reasons that make it difficult to set up your own brand of food supplements on your own, you may want to consider working closely with a laboratory to bring your supplement line to life.
Of course, some brands opt for service providers based in international locations. However, if you really want to stand out and offer products that are more in tune with the demands of prospective customers, it's best to turn to professionals in your area.
As a reminder, each country has its own legislation governing the design of dietary supplements, whether in terms of substance dosage or permission. If you work with a trusted laboratory with many years' experience in the field, you can be sure of complying with the obligations in force to bring your product to market.
Find a good white-label manufacturer
A simpler alternative, requiring less design work and able to meet consumer needs more easily, is to sell dietary supplements under a white label. By choosing this option, companies don't have to invest in research and development of new products. This considerably reduces costs and enables them to offer attractive prices to prospects.
Using a white-label manufacturer for your supplement line allows you to launch products quickly without the need for extensive investment in production facilities or research and development. White-label dietary supplements also offer great flexibility when it comes to personalization and branding. You can choose to personalize labels and packaging with your own logo and design, enabling you to promote your brand and differentiate yourself from the competition when becoming a business owner.
By collaborating with a white-label supplement manufacturer, you'll be able to market a wider and more varied range of products, based on the needs and preferences of your target audience, with marketing to match.
Many laboratories around the world offer this service: it's up to you to choose the best partners on the market and invest in professional branding to win over your target customers!
Develop your branding
Just like if you want to start a lingerie business or start a beverage company, developing your branding when starting a supplement business is crucial for establishing a unique identity in a crowded marketplace. It involves creating a cohesive and memorable brand image that resonates with your target audience, including a distinctive logo, packaging design, and a consistent tone of voice across all marketing materials.
Branding also encompasses the values and messages your company stands for, which helps in building trust and loyalty with consumers. Effective branding differentiates your products from competitors, aids in customer recognition, and can significantly influence purchase decisions. It's not just about aesthetics with an attractive logo and fun packaging; it's about crafting a story and experience that customers want to be a part of, ultimately driving the success of your business.
How do you sell a dietary supplement or vitamin line?
Open a physical store
With the rise of wellness and nutrition, the demand for natural, effective products continues to grow. By opening your own brick-and-mortar store, you can help consumers find the products that meet their specific needs, and support them in their wellness journey. It's also an opportunity to meet like-minded people and build a community around your brand.
However, costs are high (rent, utilities, etc.) with a brick-and-mortar location, and sales can struggle to take off when a dietary supplement brand starts from scratch.
List your products in pharmacies and points of sale
If you're looking to give your dietary supplements brand a boost, listing your products in pharmacies and other outlets can be a beneficial step to take!
Consumers are increasingly concerned about their well-being, and are looking for safe, quality products. By offering your dietary supplements in prestigious and well-known outlets, you can gain credibility and visibility.
Pharmacies, in particular, are an essential source for all wellness-conscious customers. By partnering with them, you can reach a wider audience and boost your sales.
Sell your products on the internet
If you want to be sure of success in selling your dietary supplements, online sales are a must! Did you know that, according to Gitnux's study, online sales of supplements are set to grow by 15% from 2021 to 2028? That's why now's the right time to begin selling online!
Thanks to the WiziShop platform, you have a complete, turnkey tool to support you in this entrepreneurial adventure.
WiziShop provides you with a team of Business Coaches to support you every step of the way, from the creation of your online store to its development and growth, as well as an AI chatbot named Maia with the ability to assist you at any given moment, day and night. With WiziShop's 400+ features, you can customize your website according to your desires and needs.
One of the biggest advantages of WiziShop is its ecommerce-specialized automatic text generation AI, which will enable you to write attractive and unique product descriptions, blog posts or even ads for social media, without the need for special writing skills. And because your site's visibility is paramount, WiziShop also offers optimal SEO performance to ensure your place on the search engines.
When you choose WiziShop, you benefit from a complete and effective tool for creating your dietary supplement sales site with complete peace of mind. And to convince you, the platform offers a 7-day free trial, followed by the first month for $1. Don't hesitate... Try WiziShop for your project, develop your brand, and enjoy the solution's many perks for the life of your business!
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Start making and selling your own supplements today!
As you can see from the information presented in this article, starting a supplement company requires a well-thought-out plan, adherence to legal and regulatory guidelines, a clear understanding of the target market, and a bit of hard work.
Entrepreneurs must invest time in research and development to create high-quality, effective products that stand out in a competitive market. Building a solid brand, engaging in effective marketing strategies, and delivering exceptional customer service are key to gaining and maintaining customer trust.
As the supplement industry continues to grow, those who prioritize transparency, quality, and consumer needs will be well-positioned to succeed. With dedication and a focus on innovation, launching a supplement company can be a rewarding experience for those passionate about health and wellness.
