Here you will find sources of information such as market research (statistics, trends, developments), key companies, trade magazines, newsletters, and Internet sources.
This guide will be useful to anyone starting a business within the Health & Fitness industries and also for those wanting to further their knowledge within this area.
Start-Up Information
The Cobra database contains practical fact-sheets on all aspects of starting, running and managing a small business – including information on writing business plans, marketing, company structures etc.
It also covers the practical aspects of how to start and run particular types of businesses – outlining necessary skills, regulations, licences and legislation etc. and highlights other sources of information and advice available.
Business Opportunity Profiles (BOP)
| Acupuncturist | BOP244 |
| Aromatherapist | BOP100 |
| Chiropractor | BOP216 |
| Country Sports Retailer | BOP569 |
| Dance Teacher | BOP072 |
| Dietitian | BOP555 |
| Foot Health Practitioner | BOP568 |
| Gym | BOP004 |
| Health Food Shop | BOP011 |
| Herbalist | BOP335 |
| Homeopath | BOP150 |
| Hypnotherapist | BOP321 |
| Massage Therapist | BOP443 |
| Nutritional Therapist | BOP395 |
| Occupational Therapist | BOP549 |
| Osteopath | BOP546 |
| Personal Fitness Trainer | BOP379 |
| Physiotherapist | BOP161 |
| Reflexologist | BOP349 |
| Reiki Practitioner | BOP045 |
| Sports and Dietary Supplements Retailer | BOP580 |
| Sports Shop | BOP317 |
| Yoga and Pilates Instructor | BOP356 |
UK Market Synopsis
| Health and Fitness | SYN006 |
Sector Update
| Complementary and Alternative Medicine | SEC016 |
| Sport and Physical Activity | SEC027 |
Sector Research Guide
| Complementary Therapy | SRG005 |
| Sport and Fitness | SRG010 |
Business Information Fact Sheets
| Compliance Guide for the Complementary and Alternative Therapy Sector | BIF444 |
| Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) | BIF501 |
Market Research & Statistics
If you are planning on starting a business you will need to be aware of the latest trends, developments and opportunities within your industry which can all be found from market research.
Market research also covers market size and forecasts, consumer demographics and attitudes, the key players and products and will often include SWOT and PEST analysis showing areas of strength, weakness, opportunities etc.
- Allied Health-Care Services
- Corporate Wellness Services
- Fruit Drink & Functional Beverage Production
- Fruit & Vegetable Retailers
- Gyms & Fitness Centres
- Juice, Mineral Water & Soft Drink Wholesale
- Juice Production
- Juice & Smoothie Bars
- Organic Food Retailing
- Personal Trainers
- Pilates & Yoga Studios
- Sports Clubs
- Sports Facilities
- Sporting Goods Manufacturing
- Sporting and Outdoor Equipment Retailers
- Vitamin & Supplement Manufacturing
- Attitudes towards Healthy Eating
- Attitudes to Low/No/Reduced Sugar Soft Drinks
- Attitudes towards Sports Nutrition
- Attitudes towards Sugar and Sweeteners
- Bottled Water
- Children’s Healthcare
- Fruit Juice, Juice Drinks & Smoothies
- Health and Fitness Clubs
- Health and Technology
- Health Food Retailing
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Impact of COVID-19 on Out-of-Home Leisure
- In vs Out-of-Home Leisure
- Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools
- Leisure Review
- Leisure Time
- Managing A Healthy Lifestyle
- Managing Skin Conditions and Allergies
- Meat-Free Foods
- Menu Trends
- Occupational Health
- Private Healthcare
- Sexual Health
- Spectator Sports
- Sports and Energy Drinks
- Sports Participation
- Suncare
- The Leisure Outlook
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Better For You Beverages in the United Kingdom
- Better For You Packaged Food in the United Kingdom
- Consumer Health in the United Kingdom
- Digestive Remedies in the United Kingdom
- Eye Care in the United Kingdom
- Fortified Functional Beverages in the United Kingdom
- Fortified/Functional Packaged Food in the United Kingdom
- Free From in the United Kingdom
- Fresh Food in the United Kingdom
- Fruits in the United Kingdom
- Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers in the United Kingdom
- Health and Wellness in the United Kingdom
- Herbal/Traditional Products in the United Kingdom
- Juice in the United Kingdom
- Naturally Healthy Beverages in the United Kingdom
- Naturally Healthy Packaged Food in the United Kingdom
- Organic Beverages in the United Kingdom
- Organic Packaged Food in the United Kingdom
- Paediatric Consumer Health in the United Kingdom
- Processed Fruit and Vegetables in the United Kingdom
- Sleep Aids in the United Kingdom
- Sports Drinks in the United Kingdom
- Sports Nutrition in the United Kingdom
- Vegetables In the United Kingdom
- Weight Management and Wellbeing in the United Kingdom
- Wound Care in the United Kingdom
- Dietary Supplements Market to 2024
- Global Dietary Supplements Market 2019-2024
- Global Gyms, Health & Fitness Clubs
- Global Functional Beverage Market 2020-2025
- Global Functional Food Market 2021 – 2027
- Global Functional Beverages Market 2018-2023
- Global Nutritional Supplement Market 2018-2023
- Global Plant Based Beverages Market 2019 – 2026
- Global Plant Based Food and Beverage Alternatives Market
- Global Plant Based Protein Supplement Market 2019-2026
- Global Protein Supplement Market 2018-2025
- Global Smart Home Healthcare Market 2020-2025
- Immune Health Supplements Market 2020-2025
- Plant Based Meat Market 2020-2025
- Probiotic Supplements Market 2020-2025
Local Data Online
Provides a birds-eye view of the makeup and complexity of the retail and leisure offering in a chosen location.
Review key trends over time:
- Vacancy rates
- Occupancy trends
- Retail mix
Understand demand profiles through demographic data such as:
- Employment statistics
- Average weekly earnings
- Crime rates
- Unemployment
- House prices
Also, contact details and individual reports of companies in the digital communications industry are available from our electronic sources: Market IQ.
Business News & Journals
In order to find the latest news on your topic it is always worth searching NewsBank and EMIS.
You will find articles from specialist business and academic journals, as well as newspapers and magazines. You may also find market research reports and case studies. As well as profiles of leading industry figures.
You will also find articles covering recent developments, and predicting future trends in your industry.
Internet Sources
Websites containing free sources of industry statistics, information and contacts.
The Association of Physical and Natural Therapists
Represents trained, professional therapists in disciplines including massage, reflexology and acupressure.
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Professional association for people interested in exercise and sports science, such as biomechanics, physiology and psychology.
The British Complementary Medicine Association
Founded to support and protect both therapists and clients. Includes a directory of practitioners.
The British Dietetic Association (BDA)
Professional association for dieticians. It provides training and a range of publications.
The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF)
Provides information on healthy eating for schools and the general public.
British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP)
Provides support and services for complementary therapy practitioners and provides information on Complementary Medicine to the public. Includes a directory of practitioners.
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
The professional body for sport, physical activity and recreation management.
The Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
UK regulatory body for complementary healthcare practitioners. With an online registry of complementary therapists.
The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC)
Provides the latest Government information on health and fitness, and aims to improve the overall wellbeing of the British public.
The Federation of Holistic Therapists
A guide to available treatments, links to reputable practitioners and a number of articles on complementary therapy and its benefits.
The Federation of Sports and Play Associations
The national trade body representing the UK’s sporting goods and play industries.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA)
An independent food safety watchdog set up to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food.
The General Council for Massage Therapy
Aims to regulate standards of training and professional practice for massage therapists.
The International Register of Consultant Herbalists and Homoeopaths
Exists to promote skilled, ethical and professional care among herbal practitioners.
International Therapy Examination Council
The International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) is an awarding body offering vocational related qualifications in beauty, complementary and sports therapies.
The National Register of Personal Trainers
An online directory of qualified personal trainers.
Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC)
Self-regulatory body and publishes a national register of nutritional therapists. It aims to promote and raise professional standards in nutritional therapy.
The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine
A directory of registered Chinese Medicine practitioners.
The Register of Exercise Professionals
A professional register of exercise and fitness trainers, coaches and instructors.
The UK’s various sports development agencies promote the benefits of sport and deliver the Government’s sporting objectives, as well as providing links to the National Governing Body (NGB) of each sport.
Sport England
Sport Scotland
Sport Wales
Sport Northern Ireland
UKActive (Formerly the Fitness Industry Association)
Provides services and facilities partnerships for a broad range of organisations to improve the health of the nation via more active lifestyles.
UK Coaching (formerly Sports Coach UK)
Guides and implements a coaching strategy for the UK, and offers information about National Governing Bodies and the National Coaching Certificate.
Please note that every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however some recently acquired items may since have been added to the collection. Please ask for help at the enquiry desk.
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