As more households invite pets like cats, dogs, fish, birds, and more exotic species to join the family, they naturally need pet products to ensure the health and comfort of their animal friends. This means providing nutritious and suitable food, as well as purchasing pet beds, cages and tanks, collars and harnesses, toys, bathing and grooming supplies, and even outfits. Even if you don’t run a pet store, per se, you can cash in on the boom in the pet products market.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates that households with pets have increased from 56% 30 years ago to 68% today, with approximately 85 million households having at least one pet. In addition, 62% of households with pets belong to a younger generation of homeowners. While millennials have shown a tendency to spend on experiences rather than products, Generation Z is proving the opposite true. Gen Z wants unique products, however, as opposed to the branded goods Gen Y seems to prefer.

As a retailer, you have an opportunity to get in on the pet product explosion, but you have to understand shopping habits and what concerned pet owners desire. Here are just a few ways to get a piece of the pet market pie.

Food

Buying a bag of Purina is the way of yesteryear. Modern pet owners want healthier food options for their pets, whether they lean toward kibble and canned brands that favor organic, natural ingredients (meat and veggies over processed alternatives) or they go straight for fresh food. Markets, pet stores, and pet-friendly operations that include fresh or natural foods can garner more interest from pet owners and enjoy the higher prices typical to these high-end food options.

Grooming

Pets with matted or unkempt fur don’t look great in selfies. Modern pet owners run Instagram accounts for their beloved pooches, felines, ferrets, or fish want to make sure their animals and animal habitats look spectacular, even before filters are applied. As a result, pet grooming has taken on something of a luxury air, with owners seeking products that give their pets that something extra. Pampered pets benefit from products like organic shampoos and toothpastes, as well as luxury collars, custom outfits, and more.

Technology

We’ve grown accustomed to using helpful technologies in our own lives, especially tools that sync up to our smartphones to deliver valuable information. How does this trend translate to pets? Consider peripherals that attach to a pet’s collar to deliver GPS data, which can help owners to locate a lost pet, for example.

When you think about what modern pet owners want and how highly they value the animals in their lives, you can find ways to include pet products in your retail operation and get in on this growing market.

If you are interested in purchasing Retail Store displays and accessories for your pet store, shop our website, Specialty Store Services.  We have everything you need.  If you have a question that you would like answered immediately, you can Live Chat, or phone us at 800-999-0771.