Marketing to boomers

The notion is familiar to most: The aging baby boomer generation is the country’s largest and most affluent.

Just how affluent? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, boomers and older Americans contribute $2.6 trillion to the U.S. economy each year.

Yet as they reach their retirement years — the oldest boomers turned 65 last year — many businesses seem to be overlooking the huge business opportunity this generation presents.

“This is the wealthiest bunch of old people we’ve ever had in the country and they will spend money differently than the young,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist for the…