Meet the Leading Wellness Brands

By now, you should have a basic understanding of the major milestones, trends, and consumer values that have led to the colossal growth of the multi-billion-dollar wellness industry, but what about the people and brands that are currently leading the charge and impacting the future playing field?

Innovative and intuitive businesses and individuals continue to push the boundaries with ground-breaking products and services. These are not only propelling the wellness economy forward but influencing industries throughout the world.

So who are these brands, and what problems are they solving? Let’s explore some of the leading industry players, including their mission, growth, and how they’ve captured the attention of the market.

Peloton

Who: Founded by John Foley, Graham Stanton, Tom Cortese, Yony Feng.

What: A pioneer of the at-home fitness revolution, the connected cycling brand has spurred a generation of copycats all hoping to become the ‘next Peloton’. To date, it has sold over half a million products in markets including the UK, US and Canada.

When: Launched in 2012.

Why: Launched to fill a gap in the market for an at-home fitness experience that translates the magic of the boutique fitness model in a more convenient and accessible way. Analysts believe that Peloton may be a $3 billion business by 2022 [1].

Its mission to reinvent the at-home fitness category has seen the brand captivate more than one million customers, who use its bikes to take live-streamed and on-demand classes from the comfort of their own homes.

Elvie

Who: Founded by Tania Boler.

What: One of the pioneers of the Femtech movement, its disruptive approach to women’s health saw the company’s sales hit $1 million in its first year of trading. Its products regularly sell out within five minutes of launch.

When: Launched in 2013.

Why: By pioneering smarter technology that pushes forward the conversation around women’s health, Elvie has helped to challenge the status quo and disrupt the male-dominated tech arena.

Its app-connected Kegel trainer and wearable breast pump have captured the imagination of consumers by creating an entirely new and more streamlined experience around common health issues.

Lululemon

Who: Founded by Chip Wilson.

What: An athleisure powerhouse, Lululemon’s fitness and yoga apparel have generated the company more than $4 billion in sales in the last year alone [2].

When: Launched in 1998.

Why: By positioning itself as an aspirational lifestyle brand, as well as cultivating a global community of like-minded and passionate individuals around its products, Lululemon has been able to build deeper levels of brand loyalty, and an experience that consumers are willing to pay a premium for.

In 2020, the company took steps to futureproof its relevance by acquiring at-home fitness startup, Mirror, in a deal worth $500 million.

Headspace

Who: Founded Andy Puddicombe and Richard Pierson.

What: One of the global leaders in the meditation category, Headspace has reached more than 62 million users in 190 countries and is estimated to have grossed $56 million in 2019 [3].

When: Launched in 2010.

Why: Widely regarded as a pioneer of the much-replicated guided meditation model that helped to modernise the practice, and in doing so, bring it to the masses, Headspace was created with one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world.

By bringing technology to the meditation space, the company tapped into consumer thirst for on-demand, accessible and relatable paths into the practice.

Mindful Chef

Who: Founded by Giles Humphries, Myles Hopper, Robert Grieg-Gran.

What: A healthy meal delivery startup based in the UK, Mindful Chef has grown from a man-and-van operation to a national business generating annual revenues of £40 million. The business has delivered over 9.5 million meals to households across the UK.

When: Launched in 2015.

Why: Mindful Chef has built a powerful brand that has the potential to shape the future of consumption. The healthy, ethically and responsibly sourced delivery service has won over conscious consumers by increasing the availability and convenience of healthy food, while paying close attention to how ingredients are sourced and the ways in which food waste can be reduced.

What do you think?

What other “big industry” players can you think of that operate within the wellness space? What gaps are they filling? How are they meeting consumer needs?

Share your thoughts with your fellow learners in the Comments section below.

References

[1] The Internet of Fitness, Part 2: The Peloton Effect

[2] Lululemon Buys Mirror, an At-Home Fitness Startup, for $500 Million

[3] Top 10 Meditation Apps Pulled in $195M in 2019, up 52% from 2018