Pet industry trends 2023
It has been an eventful couple of years. Despite a boost in pet product sales during the pandemic, 2022 was marked by rising inflation and a challenging economy. So, with the new year upon us, what can we expect for 2023?
What are the trends according to Google?
Glimpse have gathered a number of pet industry trends for 2023 based on Google search behaviours.
Slow feeders and lick mats
There were a great many searches for slow feeders and lick mats. This is because these products offer two major advantages. Firstly, they are conducive to the good health of your favourite pet. By making your pets eat slower and work harder to get to their food, these help prevent stomach upsets and maintain a healthy weight. Secondly, these provide an endless source of fun for your pets as they eat, giving owners a chance to get on with something else in the meantime.
Reptile tanks
Consumers are increasingly looking for pets that are easy to take care of. Reptiles are a good choice for those who don't have a lot of time to interact with their pets and want to be able to go on holiday without the hassle and worry you get with other pets. What's more, reptiles require little space, which fits perfectly into the current trend of people choosing to live in smaller and smaller places.
Pet portraits
Pet owners are ordering more and more portraits of their pets. Whether a hyper-realistic painting or a funny illustration, pet portraits are currently booming. Simply submit a picture of your favourite pet to one of the many providers on offer and get your portrait in the post.
Sales indication
According to Global Pets, we have reason to be optimistic when it comes to online sales within the pet industry. Looking at Amazon's annual two-day ‘Amazon Prime Days’ sale as a good indicator for predicting online sales over the coming months, they suggest that pet industry sales still appear to be booming after the pandemic.
One of the most popular pet industry categories during Amazon Prime Day 2022 was that of pet snacks. Sales of cat snacks in 2022 grew by a staggering 230% over the previous year. Similarly, sales of dog and cat toys also rose by 50%. In the UK, sales of pet supplements increased by as much as 49%.
What are the expectations for offline sales in 2023? According to Lightspeedhq, since the end of corona, consumers are buying more offline again. This resulted in a slower growth of eCommerce in 2022. Not only do consumers enjoy buying online, physical stores are important for customer experience.
What are the experts saying?
PawTracks spoke to a number of experts within the pet industry to identify today’s emerging trends. Unfortunately, it appears that behavioural problems in pets are on the rise. On the other hand, positive reinforcement training is also gaining momentum. This is good news, as it is the most ethical way of training your pet. Keep those reward snacks coming!
What's more, owners are putting much more thought into what they are feeding their pets. With pets becoming increasingly part of the family, they are also becoming more likely to be treated the same way. You wouldn't put anything you're not sure is good for you into your body, would you? Hence, it is super important for pet owners to know exactly what ingredients are in their favourite pet foods, as well as where these ingredients are sourced and how they are processed. According to PawTracks’ experts, people are also starting to pay closer attention to their pets’ mental health.
While virtual healthcare became more prevalent during the pandemic, it is now here to stay, both for humans and their pets alike. As a result, owners are no longer limited to the vets or behaviourists in their local area, making pet care more accessible than ever before.
Sustainability
In recent years, there has been a general trend within the pet industry that we are sure is set to continue in 2023: sustainability. Consumers are placing greater importance on both sustainable manufacturing processes and sustainable packaging (recyclable, compostable, refillable, etc.).
For example, a 2020 Ghent University study found that, even during the pandemic, 54% of consumers expected companies to help them lead more sustainable lives, with a staggering 83% of respondents expecting companies to lead the way in making our world more sustainable. What this study also showed is that, when consumers are presented with two choices (i.e. sustainable products vs non-sustainable products), 88% will go for the sustainable option.
Within the wider pet industry, businesses are starting to catch on to this growing trend. At Flamingo, we are also doing our bit! So be sure to add our new line of sustainable products (Flamingo Green, compostable poop bags and kitty litter, washable training mats, etc.) to your range for 2023.
What trends do you think we'll see in 2023? Let us know!