Changing landscape of the Canadian pet market

The changing landscape of the Canadian pet care market will be highlighted in a webinar hosted by Nielsen IQ (NIQ) and Pets Canada on 10 September at 2 p.m. (8 p.m. CEST). With total sales of over 6.2 billion dollars in pet food and treats and online accounting for nearly 25% of purchases, this session will examine the forces changing consumer behavior, from inflation and tariffs to digital commerce and health-conscious pet ownership.

Francis Parisien, Senior Vice President of Sales for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Canada at NIQ, will begin with a comprehensive market overview, highlighting key sales trends, emerging product categories and the impact of US tariffs on Canadian-made pet food. Christine Carrière from Pets Canada will then present new insights from the latest national survey conducted in collaboration with NIQ.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of pet ownership patterns, trusted sources for acquiring pets, and where Canadians turn for care advice, from veterinarians to online communities. This presentation will also dive into food preferences, spending habits, cost-saving strategies, and the rising importance of sustainability and ingredient transparency.

Christine Carrière has served as the President and CEO of Pets Canada since 2020. She has played a pivotal role in advocating for responsible pet business practices both domestically and internationally. Under her strategic leadership, the organization offers invaluable industry insights, market data, best practices, and policy recommendations, fostering a thriving and trustworthy pet business sector in Canada. 

With more than two decades of experience at NIQ, Francis Parisien brings deep expertise in navigating the impacts, challenges and opportunities of an evolving marketplace and shifting consumer trends. In his role, Parisien leads a nationwide team that supports start-ups, emerging suppliers, established manufacturers, government agencies and non-governmental organizations seeking market and consumer insights. Collaborating closely with his team, his primary objective is to forge partnerships across the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, ensuring NIQ’s Canadian initiatives remain aligned with client needs and market dynamics.