Did you know that almost half of pet owners love their cat or dog more than their partners? We are not the ones making this claim (because we secretly think figures should be more!) but this startling revelation emerged in a recent survey done by Dr James Greenwood, practicing and resident vet on ITV’s The Pet Show, along with pet food producer Webbox. Well, keeping in mind the growing importance of pets in their owners’ lives, it would be a smart move to make more space in stores for pet food and care products to make the best of this comparatively untapped market.
Pet households’ numbers in the UK have been on the rise, particularly post-pandemic and post Instagram. Today, there are approximately 13.5 million dogs as pets with 36 per cent of households owning a dog. There are approximately 12.5 million pet cats with 29 per cent of all households having a cat.
With such affection towards pets also comes the need to care for them.
Brits love their furry friends and go a long way in keeping them healthy and happy. According to Statista, this cost them £6.70 a week with £2.8 spent on pet food, £1.4 on pet purchase and accessories and a further £2.5 on veterinary and other services for pets.
The UK dog food market alone is valued at £1.6 billion with cat food not far behind at £1.27bn, states recent data from Statista.
There was a time when most pets once got by on little more than table scraps, and whatever extra they could hunt or scavenge. Today, things are quite different. The love humans have for their pet means some pets now eat better, sometime even better than their owners do.
The verdict is clear- pet food and care section in convenience is a great way to grow sales. In fact, it holds a massive room for growth, considering that most pet owners still opt for supermarkets or specialist stores for this need.
Noteworthy here is convenience is paramount for pet owners too who often balance work, family, and pet care responsibilities. Convenience stores positioned within neighborhoods can serve as accessible hubs for these busy individuals, providing a nearby destination to stock up on pet food alongside other essentials.
By integrating pet food into their product offerings, convenience stores can elevate their role as indispensable community resources, meeting the diverse needs of residents in a single location.
Good news here is that pet food represents a resilient category, with steady demand even during economic fluctuations. Mars Petcare is the leading name in this section with brands like Cesar, Whiskas, Sheba, James Wellbeloved, Pedigree, Eukanuba and more.
For Pawfect pals
In 2021, the leading dog food brand in the country by retail sales revenue in convenience stores was Pedigree. That year, Pedigree generated approximately £24.6m worth of sales. The leading competitor was Bakers, which generated approximately £11.3m that year in convenience stores.
Pet owners today are spoilt for choices as there are several types of dog food available in the market.
Dry dog food is the most popular type of dog food and is available in various formulas, including puppy food, adult food, and senior dog food. It comes in different sizes, shapes, and flavours. Some popular dog food brands include Royal Canin, Orijen, and Hill’s Science Diet.
Wet dog food is another popular type of dog food that comes in a variety of flavours and textures. This type of dog food is typically made with higher moisture content and has a soft texture. Some popular brands of wet dog food include Pedigree, Almo Nature, and Lily’s Kitchen.
Keeping in mind the caring nature of pet owners, it is wise to stock the range keeping in mind the common allergens and pets’ dietary requirements as well.
Grain-free dog food is a popular choice for dog owners who want to feed their dogs a diet that is free from grains and other potential allergens. Some popular brands of grain-free dog food include Taste of the Wild, Canidae, and Wellness.
Similarly, limited-ingredient dog food is designed for dogs that have food sensitivities or allergies. Limited ingredient dog food contains a limited number of ingredients, making it easier to identify potential allergens. Some popular brands of limited-ingredient dog food include Natural Balance, Blue Buffalo Basics, and Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet.
Raw dog food is a relatively new type of dog food that is gaining popularity among dog owners who want to feed their dogs a natural, unprocessed diet. Raw dog food is made with raw meat, bones, and vegetables, and is often sold frozen or refrigerated. Some popular brands of raw dog food include Nature’s Variety, Primal Pet Foods, and Stella & Chewy’s.
By offering a selection of dry dog food, wet dog food, grain-free dog food, limited-ingredient dog food, and raw dog food, c-stores can cater to the needs of different breeds, sizes, and dietary requirements, thus providing customers with the best possible options for their furry friends.
Apart from regular leading wholesalers, Quayside Wholesale is also one of the names to look upon if a retailer wants to stock a perfect and updated range in this aisle.
Retailers must also consider stocking Dr Veneta’s new four-strong portfolio of freeze-dried nuggets whose avant-garde nutritional makeup prioritise the ongoing health of dog’s microbiome, where 84 per cent of its all-important immune system resides.
Freeze-dried thinking has in recent times has become the nutritious benchmark within premium tier K9 nutrition, a best-of-both-worlds proposition that combines the nutritional vitality of raw with the ‘everyday appeal’ of convenient, ambient stored kibbles.
With Dr Veneta’s unflinching commitment to 80 per cent meat or fish supplemented with minimally-processed human-grade fruit, veg and herbs, this stylish looking portfolio seeks to go one step further than its incumbent freeze-dried peers by insisting upon the inclusion of a fermented yeast collagen and beneficial botanicals which further elevates support for dogs’ underlying gut health.
Dr Veneta told Asian Trader, “As an active veterinary practitioner, my team and I see so many morbidly obese and nutritionally bereft dogs for whom a nutritionally well-rounded diet could make the world of difference.”
Apart from dog food, dog treat is also a high-yielding product line which is usually bought on impulse.
Lily’s Kitchen Beef Mini Burgers, Bonio Bitesize Meaty Chip, Skipper's Salmon Skin Flatties Dog Treats, Bounce and Bella Grain Free Dog Training Treats, Pets Purest Nibbles Bundle, Pets Purest Natural Peanut Butter and Lords & Labradors Natural Graze Essential Box are some interesting brands to consider.
For Feline friends
The rate of cat ownership is increasing, leading to various companies providing more cat food options with custom-made dry and wet cat foods based on cat age and health. In 2022, cat food accounted for 35.8 per cent of the pet food market in the UK and experienced a 23.4 per cent increase between 2017 and 2022. This growth can be primarily attributed to the rising cat population and the increasing number of pet owners.
The treats segment is the second largest in the UK cat food market. Treats are given to cats in addition to regular food to provide additional health benefits, such as aiding digestion and promoting healthy skin and coat.
According to Statista, the leading cat food brand in the country by retail sales revenue in convenience stores was Felix in 2021 while the leading competitor was Whiskas.
Some of the other well-known wet cat food brands to keep on the shelf are Felix, Iams Delights, Lily's Kitchen, Scrumbles, Purina andBlink!.
HiLife CAT Pouchesis also a popular and highly rated cat food brand in the UK. These pouches contain a range of meat chunks in a delicious gravy sauce that will appeal to even the pickiest of feline eaters.
Cats are often regarded as low-effort pets. And one of the crucial parts of their diet is dry food. Some leading dry cat food brands to consider are Royal Canin, Scrumbles, Tippaws, Fat Cat Slim, Iams For Vitality and Hill's Science Plan.
Another must-stock brand to consider here is Tiana cat food, the world’s first halal-approved cat food range made with best-in-class human-grade ingredients using state-of-the-art, freeze-dried technology.
Burns Pet Nutrition has branched out and launched a new range of dry food for cats. The four tasty new vet-developed foods are Kitten Chicken & Rice, Adult Cat Chicken & Brown Rice, Turkey & Brown Rice and Sensitive Duck & Potato.
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Burns Kitten Chicken & Rice is a complete, hypoallergenic diet that has been created specifically for supporting healthy growth and development while for For adult and senior cats.
Vet and founder of Burns Pet Nutrition, John Burns MBE, said at the time of the launch, “We are really delighted to be launching our new range of dry cat food, which has been developed to provide all the nutritional support needed to keep kittens and cats healthy.
“We pride ourselves on making high-quality and healthy food for our furry family members and our new range does exactly that. The fussiest of feline food connoisseurs will be meowing for more!”
Lancashire pet food manufacturer Pets Choice has invested £500,000 in a new multi-channel campaign to generate awareness for its growing cat and dog food brand, Webbox Naturals. The new campaign will see the product advertised on television for the first time, accompanied by the launch of refreshed packaging.
Redesigned product packaging now includes a satisfaction guarantee, promising owners a 100 per cent refund if their pet isn’t satisfied with the food. All products within the range contain natural ingredients to promote health and joy for pets of all life stages.
Did you know?
Race is on to produce a new generation of pet food products that don’t rely on farmed animals. A British brand specialising in pet food made with lab-grown meat is launching what it claims to be the world’s very first cans of cat food using cultivated chicken as the protein source.
Meatly – formerly known as Good Dog Food – is bringing to market what it claims to be the world’s first cans of cat food that use cultivated chicken as the protein source.
More precisely, chicken eggs have been used as the “raw material” to reconstitute what looks like a chicken fillet. The can will also have seaweed and plant proteins, supplied by Omni, a brand already known in the UK for producing plant-based dog and cat food.
But before retailers can stock them, there’s one final hurdle which is the approval by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is pet owners are finicky and tend to make responsible buying decisions. They are expected to stick to a particular brand too as they don’t want their pets’ eating habits to be disturbed.
Health, obviously, is on top of their minds.
One survey of UK pet owners by Mintel found that 60 per cent prioritize health benefits in selecting pet foods. Another UK dog owner survey’s results suggested that the quality of the dog food is their top criteria in selecting a product.
One of the main trends in pet food is humanization or making pet food look and taste like human food. This includes using similar ingredients, names, and aromas. Another trend is premiumisation, which includes using premium ingredients and traceability.
Like human food, a trend toward natural product values continues to be strong in dog and cat food, with a focus on no artificial ingredients.
Did you also know that the cat and dog treat market is one of the fastest expanding areas in the pet food industry?
Year-on-year, it increases in value and volume, so it’s a highly lucrative sphere for retailers to focus on. Unsurprisingly, the emphasis on humanisation and premiumisation has transmuted into pet treats as well. As a result, pet owners can now buy their cat a beer, or treat their dog to crisps, popcorn and even muffins!
From Purrs to Profits
Merchandising pet food in a convenience store requires strategic placement, attractive displays, and understanding the needs of pet owners.
Place popular pet food brands and products at eye level, making them easily visible and accessible to customers. This increases the chances of impulse purchases. Organise pet food products by category (e.g., dry food, wet food, treats) and by pet type (e.g., dog, cat, small animals). Clear signage can help customers quickly find what they need.
Pair pet food with related products such as pet accessories, toys, or grooming supplies. Offer samples or demos of new or popular pet food products. Implement special promotions, discounts, or loyalty programs for pet food purchases.
Regularly solicit feedback from customers about their pet food needs and preferences. Use this information to adjust product selection and merchandising strategies accordingly. Providing informational materials about pet nutrition, health, and care near the pet food display can also help in generating the trust of owners towards the store.
Studies have shown that pet shoppers are some of the highest spenders in convenience stores – spending 50 per cent more than the average customer, and yet 77 per cent of pet owners don’tpurchase their pet food in their local shops. This means the category is a huge untapped opportunity.
The choices are endless. As a pet owner, the sheer level of consumer choice can be overwhelming. Terms like “complete” and “nutritionally balanced” shout out at them from brightly coloured packaging in the pet food aisle so use signage a lot.
In a category as overwhelming as pet food and care, a little handholding can go a far way.
The Retail Solutions division of Vital Pet stands at the forefront of this industry, providing a comprehensive selection of pet products from renowned brands, ensuring that retailers can offer their customers the best products available.
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The insight from its experts can come in handy for retailers who want to take the lead and effectively drive sales year on year within the pet category.
Sunny Sharma, director at Vital Pet, says, "The mission of our Retail Solutions division here at Vital Pet is to empower retailers by providing them with a wide range of high-quality pet foods, toys & accessories. We understand the importance of offering diverse options to meet the unique requirements and preferences of pets, and we are dedicated to supporting retailers in meeting the needs of their customers."
With purchasing agreements with over 200 manufacturers, the Retail Solutions team claims to deliver unmatched value, reliability and have access to the products retailers need, when they need them. Additionally, retailers who work with them can look forward to exclusive, innovative products from global category leaders, including new-to-the-UK ranges.
Pet owners lead busy lives, juggling work, errands, and pet care responsibilities. They need a one-stop shop where they can quickly pick up everything they need, including food for their beloved pets. By offering pet food alongside their traditional lineup of products, convenience stores can become go-to destinations for pet owners seeking convenience and efficiency. No longer do they have to make a separate trip to a pet store or supermarket – they can simply swing by their local convenience store and grab everything they need in a flash.
It's not just about convenience; it's also about community. In areas with a high concentration of pet-loving residents, stocking pet food can be a game-changer, fostering a sense of connection and loyalty within the community. Plus, it's a smart business move. By diversifying the product offerings to include pet food, convenience stores can tap into this lucrative market segment thus attracting a whole new customer base and their loyal furry friends.
Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.
Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.
“I am thrilled to be joining Glenshire Group in a period of tremendous growth, with many exciting opportunities on the horizon,” said Arrandale. “I’m looking forward to working with the existing development team to maximise the opportunities within our current estate, whilst also growing the business further with the acquisition of new sites.”
As part of Arrandale’s remit, he will oversee acquisitions, development, and growth for Greens Retail, Pizza Hut, and wider Glenshire Group property development and investment interests.
The bulk of Arrandale’s career has been as Retail Director at commercial agents Christie & Co, focussing on the convenience, forecourt and franchise markets. Arrandale served at Christie & Co. for 23 years.
Harris Aslam, Managing Director at Glenshire Group added: “We are very excited to welcome Dan into the Glenshire family. Having worked with Dan many times over the years on several transactions, I can confidently say his breadth of knowledge and experience in this sector will give us a huge advantage as we continue to expand our portfolio.”
Currently operating 27 convenience stores and 20 Pizza Hut franchises in Scotland, Glenshire Group has committed to significantly furthering new location openings in Scotland as well as bolstering their property portfolio.
Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.
The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.
"In Asia, China stands out as a market where the consumer is very weak. Most other Asian markets are actually okay," he said, adding the company had not yet seen Chinese stimulus measures having any impact on consumer behaviour.For years, brewers have relied on a strategy of developing and promoting their more expensive premium brands to offset an overall decline in drinking.
Aarup-Andersen said he remained confident in the long-term growth potential of premium beer and that the category will comprise a significantly larger portion of Carlsberg's business in a decade.For now, however, the company is adjusting its marketing.
"In markets where we are seeing a significant pressure on premium, we are reallocating some of our focus into making sure that we are promoting properly around the right mainstream brands," he said.
The world's third-largest brewer behind Anheuser-Busch Inbev and Heineken said third-quarter sales rose 1 per cent to 20.5 billion Danish crowns ($2.98 billion), compared with 20.7 billion expected on average by analysts in a poll gathered by the company.
Despite the shift in consumer behaviour, Carlsberg said it still expects full-year organic operating profit growth to be between 4 per cent and 6 per cent. The company lifted its full-year guidance in August.
Also on Thursday (31), the world's largest beer maker Anheuser-Busch InBev reported third-quarter profits, revenues and volumes behind forecasts. AB InBev's third-quarter statement highlighted stronger growth for its more expensive beers, like Corona, which grew 10.2% outside of its home market, Mexico, during the period.
Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.
According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.
Refill stations for personal care, cleaning products, dry goods, and beverages are also in high demand. Consumers, particularly Gen Z women, are keen to use these stations, provided they offer a cost-saving of 6-10 per cent compared to packaged goods. The study indicates that older shoppers are less likely to use refill stations unless prices are reduced by 15 per cent or more, which Vypr said shows the importance of price in driving consumers to adopt sustainable shopping habits.
The third priority for brands and retailers is to adopt sustainable packaging. Awareness of eco-friendly packaging is high, especially among younger generations. Two-thirds of UK consumers say they expect to pay more for sustainably packaged products, and that figure rises to 86 per cent among Gen Z and Millennials. However, Vypr’s research suggests that while shoppers express willingness to pay more, price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.
Ben Davis, founder of Vypr, said: “There’s often a disconnect between consumer intentions and actions. Brands need to understand that simply offering sustainable options may not be enough if price points don’t match consumer expectations.
“For Gen Z and Millennials, sustainable products need to be competitively priced or risk losing long-term loyalty. We tested this by presenting products with and without the label ‘100 per cent Recycled Packaging’ and found price remained the key purchase decision-making factor for most consumers.”
Another factor in building loyalty among younger consumers is to showcase social responsibility. The research reveals that 60% of shoppers are more likely to shop at retailers that partner with food rescue organisations or promote a charitable cause. Among Gen Z and Millennials, this figure jumps to 69%, showing a strong preference for brands that demonstrate a social purpose.
The report also reveals that 85% of shoppers are willing to pay a deposit for reusable products, though it is younger consumers, particularly those aged 18-24 who express the strongest support for such initiatives.
The Consumer Horizon report which provides insights shaping retail, product innovation, and consumer behaviour going into 2025, can be seen here.
Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.
The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.
The E-Loyalty Extra loyalty scheme will be accessible by retailers via WhatsApp platform and will allow retailers to capture evidence of compliance by simply clicking “take photo” button.
With the addition of another digital enhancement introduced to the group recently – Coupon - based loyalty mechanic, members are now empowered to incentivise and reward customers, driving stronger consumer connections and fostering brand loyalty at a granular level. Retailers can now simply redeem a coupon at the point of check out. Another key digital development within the group is WhatsApp E-Presell which enables Sugro UK’s retail partners to provide advance product volume commitments for new product launches. This functionality is particularly powerful as it ensures that suppliers have accurate forecasts before product launches, enabling better stock availability from day one of product being available on the market.
The ease and speed of using WhatsApp for these commitments simplifies the presell process, ensures accuracy and strengthens relationships across the supply chain.
While other industry players may soon consider introducing similar digital tools, Sugro UK are proud to be at the forefront of enhancing retail-focused digital solutions. This early adoption not only ensures that Sugro UK members remain competitive but also guarantees them access to the best digital tools available in the market. These efforts are part of Sugro UK's ongoing commitment to delivering value to its members and empowering them with innovative solutions for growth and success in an increasingly digital retail environment.
Sugro Head of Commercial and Marketing, Yulia Petitt said: “I am delighted that Sugro UK members are now able to provide photographic evidence of retail compliance and in-store execution to our supplier partners, using a wide range of display and compliance criteria such as planograms, secondary displays, trials, and new product developments (NPDs).These digital features allow members to share real-time proof of execution, enhancing accountability and building supplier confidence. The launch of E-Presell functionality opens a huge digital advantage for the group which will benefit all – members, retailers and suppliers in gaining accurate forecast and ensuring product visibility in store from day one of product being on the market and with the ease of using WhatsApp, the entire pre-sell process becomes a much quicker and easier process to manage for all parties.
"The Group has had 18 consecutive years of growth and, once again, on track to deliver in 2024, with the year-to-date performance of +15% year on year and growth across all categories.” Rob Mannion, CEO of b2b.store, added: “The rate of innovation in the wholesale sector is increasing and these launches are further great examples of that. We’re particularly excited about the developments and different uses of WhatsApp in the industry, with more coming in the pipeline for 2025 – it’s a tool no wholesaler or buying group can afford to ignore because of the level of influence it’s having in the sector and there’s no sign of that direction of travel changing any time soon.”
Sugro UK is proudly owned by its 90 plus independent wholesale members, with a combined turnover of over £2.5 billion.
Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.
This collaboration is expected to accelerate product launches and drive growth in diverse offerings, including sauces, salsas, marinades, dips, and condiments.
"We have collaborated with Panesar Foods for 17 years, and we are very pleased to welcome the company to Paulig," said Rolf Ladau, CEO of Paulig. "Today, our combined taste expertise and innovation skills unite around a shared ambition: to accelerate our international growth and expand our World Foods offerings."
Bill Panesar, CEO of Panesar Foods, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “As Panesar Foods becomes part of Paulig, I am confident that our ambitions for international growth will be realised, and the business will continue to thrive. We share a strong commitment to innovation and delivering high-quality, flavourful products, and I look forward to bringing even more delicious products to the market, together."
Jas Panesar, MD of Panesar Foods, echoed, “This partnership will allow us to reach new markets and deliver our authentic World Food flavors to a broader audience. We look forward to combining our passion for quality food with Paulig’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
All 308 Panesar employees will transition to Paulig’s team. Financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed.