Pet & Pet Supplies Stores
Description
Companies in this industry operate physical retail establishments that sell pets, pet foods, and pet supplies. Major companies include Petco, Petland, and PetSmart (all based in the US); along with Global Pet Foods and Pet Valu (both based in Canada), and Pets at Home (UK).
The global pet and pet care market may reach about $427 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2025 to 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. North America and Western Europe are well-positioned for further growth through an uptick in consumer purchases.
The US pet and pet supply store industry includes about 10,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $20 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Pet ownership drives demand, and spending generally resists economic cycles. Profitability for individual companies depends on the ability to generate store traffic and effective merchandising. Large companies offer low prices and wide selections of both products and services. Small companies compete effectively by serving a local market, selling unique products, offering specialized services, or providing pet expertise. The US industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for over 75% of industry revenue.
Competitors include grocery stores, warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, internet retailers, and some veterinary clinics. By offering the premium pet food brands pet owners want at competitive prices, mass merchandisers and online players, including Amazon and Chewy.com, are siphoning sales from pet specialty stores. Delving deeper into the pet category, Amazon in 2018 launched its own brand of dry dog food called Wag and is expanding the brand to include pet supplies. The Wag brand is only available to Prime members.
The increasing demand for online platforms and e-commerce are encouraging companies to develop and improve their online shopping platforms. In addition, customers are increasingly using technology and a variety of electronic devices and digital platforms to compare products and prices, read product reviews, determine real-time product availability, and purchase products.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major products are pet foods and wild bird feed, which account for about 55% of the industry's revenue. Other sources of revenue include pet supplies and wild bird supplies (about 30%).
Pet stores include national chains, franchises, and independent retailers. National chains operate a "superstore" format, which can exceed 25,000 square feet. Pet superstores are located in high traffic areas, usually in large strip malls, co-anchored by other strong superstores. Pet store franchises vary in size, but generally have smaller stores of about 8,000 square feet. Smaller stores allow franchises to locate in smaller shopping centers, closer to neighborhoods. Independent pet stores serve small markets and average 3,000 square feet.
Pet superstores carry large inventories, and can offer more than 10,000 different products. Superstores may offer veterinary services, grooming, and obedience classes. Pet store franchises let independent owners customize inventory for a local market, with large franchises capable of offering thousands of different products. Both chains and franchises offer private label products. Independent pet stores may carry unique inventory, like exotic animals (pythons, chinchillas, bearded dragons) or organic pet food. Most pet stores are known for selling premium pet foods, which are generally not available through grocery stores and mass merchandisers due to manufacturer restrictions.
Chains and franchises buy large quantities of key products like dog and cat food directly from manufacturers at deep discounts. Independent pet stores purchase directly from smaller manufacturers or distributors.
The global pet and pet care market may reach about $427 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2025 to 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. North America and Western Europe are well-positioned for further growth through an uptick in consumer purchases.
The US pet and pet supply store industry includes about 10,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $20 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Pet ownership drives demand, and spending generally resists economic cycles. Profitability for individual companies depends on the ability to generate store traffic and effective merchandising. Large companies offer low prices and wide selections of both products and services. Small companies compete effectively by serving a local market, selling unique products, offering specialized services, or providing pet expertise. The US industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for over 75% of industry revenue.
Competitors include grocery stores, warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, internet retailers, and some veterinary clinics. By offering the premium pet food brands pet owners want at competitive prices, mass merchandisers and online players, including Amazon and Chewy.com, are siphoning sales from pet specialty stores. Delving deeper into the pet category, Amazon in 2018 launched its own brand of dry dog food called Wag and is expanding the brand to include pet supplies. The Wag brand is only available to Prime members.
The increasing demand for online platforms and e-commerce are encouraging companies to develop and improve their online shopping platforms. In addition, customers are increasingly using technology and a variety of electronic devices and digital platforms to compare products and prices, read product reviews, determine real-time product availability, and purchase products.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Major products are pet foods and wild bird feed, which account for about 55% of the industry's revenue. Other sources of revenue include pet supplies and wild bird supplies (about 30%).
Pet stores include national chains, franchises, and independent retailers. National chains operate a "superstore" format, which can exceed 25,000 square feet. Pet superstores are located in high traffic areas, usually in large strip malls, co-anchored by other strong superstores. Pet store franchises vary in size, but generally have smaller stores of about 8,000 square feet. Smaller stores allow franchises to locate in smaller shopping centers, closer to neighborhoods. Independent pet stores serve small markets and average 3,000 square feet.
Pet superstores carry large inventories, and can offer more than 10,000 different products. Superstores may offer veterinary services, grooming, and obedience classes. Pet store franchises let independent owners customize inventory for a local market, with large franchises capable of offering thousands of different products. Both chains and franchises offer private label products. Independent pet stores may carry unique inventory, like exotic animals (pythons, chinchillas, bearded dragons) or organic pet food. Most pet stores are known for selling premium pet foods, which are generally not available through grocery stores and mass merchandisers due to manufacturer restrictions.
Chains and franchises buy large quantities of key products like dog and cat food directly from manufacturers at deep discounts. Independent pet stores purchase directly from smaller manufacturers or distributors.
Table of Contents
- Industry Overview
- Quarterly Industry Update
- Business Challenges
- Business Trends
- Industry Opportunities
- Call Preparation Questions
- Financial Information
- Industry Forecast
- Web Links and Acronyms
Pricing
Currency Rates
Questions or Comments?
Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
