This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating the business plan for a pet store.
Below is a clear, numbers-first FAQ on the global pet retail market as of October 2025.
Use it to size your opportunity, choose the right categories, and plan channel strategy for your new pet store business.
If you want to dig deeper and learn more, you can download our business plan for a pet store. Also, before launching, get all the profit, revenue, and cost breakdowns you need for complete clarity with our pet store financial forecast.
The pet retail market continues to expand, lifted by premium food, wellness, and fast-growing online and subscription channels. Asia-Pacific leads growth while North America remains the largest revenue base.
Expect mid-single-digit to high-single-digit CAGR through 2030 for core retail, with double-digit growth in smart devices, tele-vet, and auto-delivery programs.
| Metric | 2024–2025 Status | What it means for a pet store startup |
|---|---|---|
| Global market size (retail + care) | ~$321–$346B in 2025 | Large, resilient demand pool; define your scope (products vs. services) before forecasting. |
| 5-yr growth (2019–2024) | ~5%–8% CAGR | Stable structural growth; prioritize categories with outperformance (premium food, wellness). |
| Category mix (global) | Food ~43%, Supplies/OTC ~22%, Vet ~26%, Services ~9% | Anchor assortment in food + fast-turn essentials; add services to lift basket & loyalty. |
| Regional momentum | APAC 8%–10% YoY; Europe ~5%–6% avg; US mature | Import high-growth ideas from APAC (DTC, social commerce) even if operating elsewhere. |
| E-commerce share | ~30% global by 2030 (US already >30%) | Omnichannel is mandatory; enable autoship, click-and-collect, and local delivery. |
| Private label | EU ~34% share in pet food; US low-single digits but rising | Build a tiered private-label ladder for margin defense and loyalty. |
| 2025–2030 outlook | ~6%–8% CAGR global; 15%–25% in smart/digital niches | Mix growth engines (subscriptions, data-led wellness) with core staples. |
What is the current global market size and how has it changed in five years?
The global pet retail and care market is approximately $321–$346 billion in 2025.
This reflects a five-year expansion at roughly 5%–8% CAGR across categories and regions. Absolute growth has been strongest in food, veterinary products, and wellness services. Inflation temporarily boosted nominal growth in 2022, especially in Europe.
North America remains the largest market by revenue, while Asia-Pacific contributed the biggest share of incremental growth. Scope matters: numbers vary depending on whether services and vet care are included.
For a new pet store, benchmark your plan against the range above and clearly define whether you will offer services in addition to products.
You’ll find detailed market insights in our pet store business plan, updated every quarter.
What are the year-over-year growth rates by region?
Growth is steady globally but higher in Asia-Pacific than in mature markets.
Average YoY gains since 2020 run ~8%–10% in China and India, ~5%–6% in Europe, and low-single-digits in the mature U.S. pet-store segment. 2022 showed a temporary spike from price inflation and new-owner waves.
| Region/Country | Avg YoY 2020–2024 | 2025 Comment & Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| North America | ~3%–5% | Mature base; growth led by premium food, insurance tie-ins, and services add-ons. |
| United States | Pet stores ~0.3% CAGR | Specialty retail is flat to modest; omnichannel and private label offset price sensitivity. |
| Europe (overall) | ~5%–6% | 2022 saw ~12% nominal jump; private label at scale supports value demand. |
| United Kingdom | ~4%–6% | Trading-down behavior evident; growth persists in functional foods and OTC. |
| Asia-Pacific | ~8%–10% | Urbanization and middle-class expansion; social/e-commerce ahead of other regions. |
| China | ~8%–10% | High digital penetration; premium wet food and supplements expand rapidly. |
| India | ~9%–10% | New pet ownership and local brands scaling distribution; price-point stratification. |
What are the main categories and their revenue shares?
Pet food is the anchor category at roughly 43% of global retail value.
Supplies, accessories, and OTC medicines together contribute ~22%, followed by veterinary care and product sales at ~26% and services at ~9%. Premium and functional lines outgrow the base in each category.
For assortment planning, secure depth in dry/wet foods, toppers/treats, and litter, then add smart devices and wellness OTC to lift margins. Services (grooming/training) increase frequency and average ticket.
Calibrate your mix to local demand and store size—start with food + essentials, layer premium and services as traffic stabilizes.
This is one of the strategies explained in our pet store business plan.
What are the projected growth rates for the next 5–10 years?
Expect ~6%–8% global CAGR through 2030 for the combined pet retail and care market.
Digital-first niches (smart feeders, trackers, cameras) and tele-vet/digital health are projected at ~15%–25% CAGR. Subscriptions and auto-delivery will keep expanding their share of repeatable baskets.
| Segment/Region | 2025–2030 CAGR | Implication for a pet store launch |
|---|---|---|
| Global (total retail + care) | ~6%–8% | Plan inventory turns and working capital on steady growth scenarios. |
| Smart pet products | ~18%–25% | Introduce curated devices; bundle with services to reduce returns. |
| Digital health / tele-vet | ~15%–20% | Partner with platforms; cross-sell OTC and preventive care. |
| APAC retail | ~8%–10% | Follow DTC/social commerce best practices even in Western markets. |
| Premium food | ~7%–9% | Support with education and sampling; protect cold-chain where needed. |
| Services (grooming/training) | ~6%–8% | Drives frequency; requires appointment management and staffing model. |
| Private label | Share rising | Stage a good/better/best ladder to capture value and margin. |
Which consumer trends are driving growth?
- Premiumization: buyers trade up to health-first, limited-ingredient, and breed/age-specific formulas.
- Humanization: apparel, accessories, and wellness routines mirror human categories.
- Sustainability: recyclable packaging, ethically sourced proteins, and low-carbon options win trust.
- Convenience: subscriptions, click-and-collect, and 2-hour local delivery reduce friction.
- Data-guided care: wearables and apps prompt repeat purchases of preventive products.
How is e-commerce changing the market?
Online is the fastest-growing channel and already commands a large share in several countries.
E-commerce moved from ~16% of U.S. pet food sales in 2017 to >30% by the early-2020s, with global share tracking toward ~30% by 2030. Big-box retailers and marketplaces dominate online traffic alongside DTC brands.
| Channel/Region | Share or Growth | Notes for execution |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. online | >30% share of pet food | Autoship and same-day delivery set the bar for loyalty. |
| Global online (2030e) | ~30% share | Build omnichannel stack early (BOPIS, local courier, subscriptions). |
| Brick-and-mortar | Slower growth | Differentiate via services, events, and expert advice. |
| APAC social commerce | Leading adoption | Leverage shoppable video and live events where relevant. |
| Marketplaces | High traffic capture | Use for discovery; migrate repeat buyers to owned channels. |
| DTC brands | Growing | Consider white-label partnerships and store-within-store. |
| Local delivery | Rising | Turn speed into a moat within your delivery radius. |
Who are the largest players and what are their shares?
Global pet nutrition is concentrated among a few multinationals.
Mars Petcare, Nestlé Purina, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition together hold roughly a majority of the branded pet food market. A second tier of brands adds meaningful share across channels and regions.
| Company | Approx. Share | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Mars Petcare (Pedigree, Royal Canin, etc.) | Largest | Global breadth across price tiers; strong vet and specialty presence. |
| Nestlé Purina | Top-3 | Flagships in dry/wet and treats; heavy retail and online penetration. |
| Hill’s Pet Nutrition | Top-3 | Clinical and prescription positioning via vet channels. |
| Blue Buffalo | Mid-single-digit | Natural/clean-label focus; strong U.S. retail. |
| Royal Canin | Significant | Breed/condition-specific premium nutrition; vet partnerships. |
| Freshpet | Small but fast-growing | Refrigerated segment pioneer; premium price points. |
| Wellness Pet Company | Small | Natural and functional propositions; specialty channel. |
How is private label reshaping competition?
Private label is a major force in Europe and a rising lever in North America.
European retailers hold ~34% private-label share in pet food, driven by discounters and grocers; the U.S. remains low-single digits but is accelerating. Retailers use private label to protect margins and deliver value tiers.
For a new pet store, develop a tiered own-brand (value/good/better/best) in essentials first (litter, treats, accessories), then expand into targeted foods once trust is established. Secure QA, recall protocol, and transparent sourcing.
Own-brand also supports differentiation and loyalty, particularly when combined with a subscription or membership program.
We cover this exact topic in the pet store business plan.
How do market dynamics differ between developed and emerging economies?
Developed markets are mature with higher spend per pet; emerging markets grow faster from a lower base.
In the U.S. and Western Europe, growth is mix-led (premium, wellness, services). In APAC and parts of LATAM, new pet ownership and widening distribution are the primary drivers.
Local brands and e-commerce platforms shape pricing in emerging markets, while global brands dominate premium segments. Social commerce and marketplace discovery are particularly strong in Asia.
Adapt pricing ladders and pack sizes to local elasticity, and prioritize online partnerships where retail infrastructure is thin.
It’s a key part of what we outline in the pet store business plan.
How do inflation, income, and pet ownership affect spending?
Inflation raised nominal sales and pushed some shoppers to value tiers, but overall pet spend proved resilient.
Rising disposable incomes unlock upgrades to premium foods and wellness services, especially in emerging markets. Higher pet ownership sustains demand across staples and services.
Expect ongoing polarization: value SKUs for price-sensitive households and super-premium for enthusiasts. Monitor elasticity by category and use promotions to protect traffic without eroding margin.
Build a replenishment engine (autoship and reminders) to stabilize volumes through cycles.
Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our pet store business plan.
How is innovation shaping future growth (subscriptions, smart, digital health)?
Innovation concentrates where repeat behavior and data create flywheels.
Subscriptions/autoship drive retention and forecastability; smart devices generate data that trigger OTC and food purchases; tele-vet integrates care with retail. Bundling products with services increases lifetime value.
Launch with simple autoship on top categories (food, litter, flea/tick) and test device-plus-consumable bundles. Add digital care partners to capture wellness journeys.
Track cohort retention and churn; use membership perks to lock in high-value customers.
This is one of the many elements we break down in the pet store business plan.
What are the key challenges and risks?
- Supply chain volatility: packaging, proteins, and logistics cost swings.
- Regulatory shifts: labeling, claims, and import requirements by market.
- Channel pressure: marketplaces compress price and customer ownership.
- Consumer shifts: demand for transparency, sustainability, and tailored nutrition.
- Competition: private label scale and DTC disruptors raising customer expectations.
What is the impact of e-commerce vs. brick-and-mortar market shares and growth?
Online wins on convenience and selection; stores win on trust, advice, and services.
Where e-commerce exceeds one-third of category sales, physical stores that add high-touch services and community events hold share better. A true omnichannel model outperforms single-channel players.
Stand up click-and-collect, local delivery, and in-store services early to protect footfall. Use marketplaces for discovery, but migrate repeat buyers to your owned autoship.
Measure CAC/LTV by channel and adjust assortment breadth accordingly.
We cover the exact execution playbook in our pet store business plan.
Which consumer trends—premiumization, humanization, sustainability—matter most for a startup?
All three trends matter, but premium nutrition and sustainability move the needle fastest.
Premium food and functional treats deliver higher gross margins and loyalty, while sustainable packaging and sourcing build brand trust. Humanization expands accessory and apparel baskets, especially during gifting seasons.
Curate credible certifications and educate on ingredient benefits to reduce decision friction. Offer refill options or recycling partnerships to align with eco-expectations.
Track repeat rates and NPS by sub-category to optimize shelf space.
This is one of the strategies we detail in the pet store business plan.
How big is the private-label opportunity in a pet store?
It is significant and margin-accretive, with faster adoption in Europe.
U.S. penetration is still low, leaving room for targeted launches in treats, litter, and accessories before moving into foods. Quality assurance and transparent sourcing are essential to earn trust.
Start with high-velocity SKUs, then add differentiated formats (freeze-dried toppers, functional chews). Use packaging and naming to clearly indicate quality tiers.
Monitor recall readiness and third-party certifications from day one.
It’s a key part of our private-label module inside the pet store business plan.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
Want to go further?
Explore step-by-step tactics, KPI dashboards, and financial models tailored to launching and scaling a pet store.
Sources
- Precedence Research – Pet Care Market
- Fortune Business Insights – Pet Care Market
- APPA – Industry Trends & Stats
- Future Market Insights – Pet Market
- PetfoodIndustry – Internet vs. Brick-and-Mortar Trends
- Pet Food Processing – Big-Box Online Dominance
- Circana – Private Labels in Europe
- IBISWorld – U.S. Pet Stores
- Pet Fair SEA – Thailand/APAC Market
- Statista – Pet Business Revenues (Thailand)
-Pet Store Business Plan: How to Build It
-Best Revenue Tools for Your Pet Store
-How to Raise Pet Store Customer Lifetime Value
-Boost Your Pet Store Average Transaction
-Pet Store Profit Margins Explained
-Key Pet Industry Statistics
-Are Pet Stores Profitable?
-Is a Pet Shop Still Viable Today?