UK Pet Industry

Most pet owners see their pets as part of the family, largely conscious of their pet’s health. However, with so much information available and the variety of ways to shop, pet owners can have a hard time knowing the best place to buy food for their pets. With that in mind, this article will focus on how they benefit pet stores and pet owners, changes in consumer shopping habits, and how independent pet stores help local communities and the economy.

There are a total of 3000 pet shops in the UK. With 60,000 people in Europe, each with their own specialties. Pet shops contribute a great deal to the value of the UK pet food market, which is now worth a total of £3.2 billion according to the PFMA.

Health and Wellness Trend

It has also been a focus for pet owners on the health and well-being of their pets. The lockdowns and restrictions have caused people to focus on physical fitness, what they eat, and their overall health.

This has spread to the pet food market as well. Research from Packed Facts shows that 23% of dog owners and 24% of cat owners are particularly concerned about their pet’s anxiety and stress. 20% of dog owners and 21% of cat owners are particularly concerned about their pet’s immune system.

Current events have only contributed to this for pet owners, as pet health and well-being has become a focus. This means that pet shops have had to adapt their focus by offering products that are particularly beneficial to the health of pets.

To summarize, independent pet stores provide pet owners with a variety of benefits, such as learning about pets and products, as well as understanding the needs of pets. Additionally, pet shops are very important to local communities. They offer pet owners the opportunity to get local information about pet events that may occur in the local area. As noted earlier, 47% of people describe the main street as the heart of their community, and pet stores play a vital role.

Although independent pet stores have many benefits, the threat from online pet retailers and supermarkets means that pet stores need to be particularly strong on their brands for pet owners and what sets them apart from the crowd. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in pet owners’ online purchases, and it is more important than ever for pet shops to maintain their unique offerings to their customers.