The bond people share with their pets is special, and for some, their pet is like their child. It is understandable, therefore, that they spent more time with their pets when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and consumers were locked out.
“People were unsure of the future and had to look after themselves and their pets,” says Dean de Villiers, Marketing Director for Branded Products at Safcol Australia.
Nestle Purina Coral Grace, senior business manager at Independents & Impulse Channel, noted that breeders had advised Purina that they had seen an increase in pet purchases.
"The thinking [according to Purina] is that families could train puppies and kittens in isolation while the family is at home. For singles, having a pet is fun and company," says Ms. Grace.
Bell & Bone founder and director Arianne Sackville accredits more time getting to know pets as a reason for sales growth.
In the March issue of Retail World, we looked at the forecast trends for 2021.
Key trends discussed in the full feature included the conversation about grain-free pet food, transparency in ingredient lists, digestive health, general health and wellbeing, and sustainability practices.
Ms. Sackville says not only is sourcing sustainable proteins important, but sustainable packaging and other ways to sustainably support the community as well.
“Shoppers also like to support brands that have a socially conscious presence, such as helping local communities and charities,” she says.
All-round sustainability is one aspect that Mr de Villiers agrees will be a driving force this year.
"The sustainability of packaging and ingredients as well as novel sustainable proteins will drive the most important pillars of innovation in the industry into the future," he says.
Click here for the full pet needs feature and Retail World magazine.
A “Pet in the Right Direction” article first appeared in Retail World Magazine.
