Pet owners are prioritising their pets, with 61% even placing their pets' needs above their own. Pet owners are also keen to reflect personal interests and preferences in purchases for…
UK
Pets
simple
UK Pet Retailing Market Report 2025
"Pets are increasingly considered cherished family members, and pet owners are willing to go above and beyond to ensure their wellbeing."
Sam Nguyen - Senior Retail Analyst
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for the pet retailing market
Opportunities for the pet retailing market
Leverage the close tie between pets and their owners
Extend the impact of social media beyond the online space
Infuse fun elements in-store
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Consumers and the economic outlook
Pet ownership ticks up
Graph 1: pet ownership, 2024 and 2025
Late amendment to Renters Rights Bill could boost pet ownership
Pet services remain highly inflated
Graph 2: CPIH, pet product and service inflation rates, 2022-2025
Incremental growth is expected
Value sales to grow by 14% between 2025 and 2030
Graph 3: consumer spending on pet products and services (including VAT), 2019-30
Product spending remains dominant, yet services are gaining momentum
Graph 4: pet products and services market segmentation, 2019-25
THE CONSUMER
Priorities for pets
Health is the top priority
The focus on health is in part driven by humanisation
Graph 5: agreement with “I try to reflect my personal preferences when buying pet products (eg matching outfits, plant-based food)”, by age , 2025
Pet’s health contributes to human wellbeing
Leverage technologies to add ease to pet-related tasks
Purchases of pet products and services
Pet product buying activity is far higher than that of services
Graph 6: pet services paid for in the last 12 months, 2025
Graph 7: pet products purchased in the last 12 months, 2025
Pet food is the most popular product purchase
Graph 8: repertoire of pet products bought in the past 12 months, by household income, 2025
Health services are the most important
Graph 9: pet services paid for in the last 12 months, by household income, 2025
Channels used for buying pet products
Purchases are evenly spread out across channels
Online is a key channel for premiumisation
Graph 10: channels used to purchase pet products in the past 12 months, by household income, 2025
Subscription services serve as a growth driver
Providers used for pet products and services
The choice of retailers varies based on the type of pet owned
Graph 11: retailers used for pet products – NET, by pet ownership, 2025
Pet specialists are patronised by younger shoppers
Graph 12: retailers used for pet products, by age and household income, 2025
Vets are trusted for pet services
Graph 13: providers used for pet services, 2025
Social media influence
Social media shapes buying habits
Social commerce gains ground as a sales avenue
Leverage pet influencers
Graph 14: social media behaviours in the last 12 months and future interests, 2025
Pet spending behaviours
Spending on pets is prioritised
Pet owners seek various opportunities to pamper their pets
Graph 15: behaviours in the last 12 months and future interests, 2025
Embracing diverse gifting formats
But savvy shopping remains a key feature of spending habits
Graph 16: behaviours in the last 12 months and future interests, 2025
RETAILER ACTIVITY
Food subscription services spearhead growth…
Graph 17: leading pet retailers, growth in spend and customer numbers, 2023/25
… as they ramp up advertising efforts…
… and increasingly make way into physical retail
Integrating health and wellness into bricks-and-mortar experiences
Competitive pricing remains a key focus
The pet space becomes increasingly crowded
Petco debuts products for pet owners
Opportunities for trade-in and recycling initiatives
APPENDIX
Report scope and definitions
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market size and forecast: underlying data
Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Supplementary data
Adspend nearly doubled in 2024
Graph 18: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on pet food and care, 2021-25
Butternut Box significantly increases adspend
More budgets shifted to TV in the first half of 2025
Graph 19: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on pet food & care, by media type, 2023 -25
Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Snoop SpendMapper methodology
Abbreviations and terms
UK Pet Retail Industry – Trends and Insights
61% of pet owners prioritise their pets’ needs above their own, showcasing the deep emotional bond and commitment they have toward their furry companions.
Rising costs of pet care, particularly services, are causing owners to cut back on spending, with some even delaying essential pet healthcare. This financial burden is further exacerbated by the shift back to office work, which also discourages potential pet ownership.
The growing emphasis on holistic health opens doors for brands to create products and services that cater to both pets and their owners, bridging the gap between human and pet wellness.
Caring for pets not only enhances the pets’ quality of life but also positively impacts the mental and emotional wellbeing of their owners, highlighting the reciprocal benefits of pet ownership.
Key Issues Covered in the Report
The size of the pet retailing market within the UK and key opportunities in the market
Top priorities for pets, including the role of health and wellbeing
What pet products and services are bought, along with how and where they are bought
The influence of social media on buying behaviours
Pet spending behaviours, including the opportunities for premiumisation and continuation of savvy shopping
Report Attributes
Details
Published Date
October 2025
Data Range
2019-2030
Measurement Metrics
Revenue in £
Country Focus
United Kingdom (UK)
Consumer Data
1,225 internet users aged 16+ who own a pet, May 2025
Number of Pages
52
Leading Retailers in the UK Pet Category
Pets at Home, Butternut Box, Vets for Pets, Jollyes – The Pet People, Tails.com, Pets Corner, Pure Pet Food, KatKin, Lily’s Kitchen
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