Three types of over 50s

Well-off older folks Youthfully spirited Self-preservationists Coined by: Datamonitor

The third group - "self -preservationists" - are "more introverted, have more conservative purchasing patterns and are typically older than consumers in the two other groups".

Datamonitor says companies fail to notice the over-50s because they are "obsessed with youth".

Another reason, it says, could be the age of those responsible for marketing - about half of staff in advertising agencies are aged under 30.

Growing market

Datamonitor used statistics from the United Nations to show over 50-year-olds are a growing market.

In 2000 there were about 132 million over-50s in western Europe. By 2025 there are expected to be 177 million.

In the UK, there were almost 20 million over-50s in 2000. By 2025 there are expected to be nearly 27 million.

Over 50s in Europe and UK

Europe 2000: 132m Europe 2025 est: 177m UK 2000: 20m UK 2025 est: 27m Source: UN

Piers Berezai, author of the report, said: "The obsession with targeting younger consumers under the age of 30, especially teenagers and 'tweenagers', means that mainstream advertising has the potential to totally ignore those over age of 50.

"Even worse, the portrayal of older consumers in many adverts could be considered patronising or even offensive.

"With the growth in the over 50s segment, marketers can no longer run the risk of alienating this audience."