Retail sales increase by 5 per cent

Petco and PetSmart enjoy a dominant role in the US pet supplies market.

Retail sales of pet products in the USA increased by five per cent in 2019 to an estimated 55 bn dollars. This was according to a recently published study by market research company Packaged Facts entitled "U.S. Pet Market Focus: Mass Market Channel Shoppers".

The study reports that the growth derived from shopping on the Internet and in pet stores. "Online purchases are at the top of the market and account for more than 20 per cent of all pet product sales," states the study. The pet store chains, dominated by operators PetSmart and Petco, occupy second slot. Other pet store chains such as Pet Supplies Plus, Pet Valu, Pet Supermarket and Petsense, also play an increasingly important role.

"Things get interesting when mass market stores are examined," it is emphasised in the study. The mass market channel includes mass merchandisers and supercentres such as Walmart and Target, food stores such as chain supermarkets and natural food supermarkets, and wholesale club stores including Costco and Sam's Club. "These stores are outperforming pet superstores in a market where speciality and premium pet products have the sales advantage," adds Packaged Facts.