Shopping for natural products can be an intimidating task. It’s crucial to remember to follow the regulatory requirements of Natural Health Products, and look for the Natural Health Products label. This certification will guarantee that a product has met regulatory requirements. Moreover, the label is a key point of reference to ensure quality and safety.
Enlightened Environmentalists
A segment of natural and organic consumers, Enlightened Environmentalists buy products that support the environment and promote healthy lifestyles. They are most likely to spend more on organic food and natural ingredients, and they shop at stores that specialize in natural and organic products. These people are the most passionate about the environment, and they tend to be older than True Believers, who tend to be younger. These shoppers are often educated and earn more than the average household.
According to IRI and SPINS, the core segment of the natural and organic market is made up of Enlightened Environmentalists and True Believers. Together, these two groups represent 38% of the total natural and organic dollar sales in the U.S. Natural and organic stores should focus on targeting these two groups, which represent approximately twenty percent of the total population.
Indifferent Traditionalists
If you walk into any natural products store, you will likely find a mix of Indifferent Traditionalists and Healthy Realists. The former group prioritizes being healthy and fit, but may struggle to choose between healthy and conventional products. They are relatively healthy, with an average age of 39, have completed college, and earn a median income of $65,000. The latter group, on the other hand, tends to lead a very traditional lifestyle.
According to a recent study by NaturaLink, 92 percent of households buy organic food and other natural products, but the two groups are markedly different in their shopping habits. Indifferent Traditionalists typically look for the least expensive alternatives to conventional favorites. Those seeking a more natural alternative may want to look at the product description, as well as its price.
Struggling Switchers
Natural products are popular among consumers with a range of attitudes and beliefs. True believers and enlightened environmentalists make up the core of the natural market. Meanwhile, aspiring natural shoppers comprise 16 percent of sales. This leaves the mainstream segment of consumers – indifferent traditionalists, struggling switchers and resistant non-believers – as the largest potential for growth for the natural market.
Chargebacks
If you’ve purchased something from a natural products store and it turns out to be less than you expected, you can still file for chargebacks. However, you need to know how to properly handle chargeback disputes. The first step is to contact the merchant in question. This will help you resolve your billing dispute in a quicker manner and may even lead to a refund or replacement of the item.
There are two main types of chargebacks. One type of chargeback is friendly fraud, which occurs when the customer does not recognize a charge on their statement. The second type is criminal fraud. In this case, a thief is using a stolen credit card to buy something. Identity theft and hacking are two other common causes of chargebacks. Either way, the best way to avoid chargebacks is to maintain good records and to immediately rectify any problems with orders.
Chargebacks can also happen because of murky checkout processes. Some retailers don’t display all charges upfront, so a customer can’t know what to expect. Others will charge customers for shipping charges that weren’t displayed on the product page. Regardless of the reason, you need to be ready to defend your business and to fight back. The first step is to research the chargeback reason code.
Another step in chargeback disputes is to contact the bank that issued the credit card. The bank then contacts the merchant and requests evidence. Evidence can include receipts, invoices, and proof of delivery.
