Growth of the hound pound
Brought to you by Retail Insider and K3 Retail
When pet shop chain Pet Pavilion announced it would be selling a non-alcoholic beer for dogs to enjoy when they accompany their owners down the pub then you know there is something happening (however odd) in the pet sector.
The brew called Snuffle joined an array of upmarket products the business sells – across its four stores and online outlet – including ‘The Dog House’ range of foods created by Michelin-star chef Michel Roux. These sit alongside the likes of chamomile gluten-free dog biscuits.
It is one of a number of businesses targeting people who have no reservations about spending big money on their pets – especially dogs. We’re talking the rise of the ‘hound pound’. It is this trend that Pets Pyjamas is also tapping into, with products such as its House of Holland range of coats, beds and leads for the fashion-conscious pet.
It has also recognised the serious growth in pets traveling with their owners on holiday and has just appointed a head of travel to deal with hotels and destinations that have pet-friendly facilities. Some of them are very friendly indeed, with personal pet butlers, blueberry facials, and caviar on the menu for pooch.
Overall the numbers of people travelling with their pets is growing rapidly – Hoseasons has recorded an 11% yearly rise in the number of such bookings over the past four years. This is helping to power growth at Pets Pyjamas, which enjoyed a record month in August, with product sales up 72% on last year and travel up 132%.
To satisfy demand the company has just launched a responsive website and is utilising a recent investment of £2 million to help grow the business further and benefit from the exponential demand for pet-related products especially at the upper end of the market.
Glynn Davis, editor, Retail Insider
K3 Retail deliver multi-channel solutions that enable retailers to create joined up shopping experiences for their customers whether they choose to buy on-line, direct, in-store or via mobile. It has over 20 years’ experience delivering award winning solutions, to more than 175 internationally recognised retail brands.