Source Home & Gift, the UK’s leading sourcing show taking place from 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham, has partnered with trend consultancy Insider Trends to unveil a comprehensive report exploring the biggest trends shaping the pet and garden retail sectors. The report, The Biggest Trends in Pet & Garden Retail, reveals how health-conscious consumers, eco-friendly practices, and tech-driven innovations are propelling growth in these dynamic markets.
The findings highlight significant consumer investment, with spending on pets reaching £9.89 billion in 2022, a staggering 182% growth since 2005, and garden retail climbing to £7.1 billion in 2022 (Statista). While pandemic lockdowns initially spurred this growth, the trends have proven to be enduring, driven by the emotional and wellbeing benefits tied to pet ownership and gardening.
Key Highlights of the Report
Pets and Wellbeing:
- 85% of people in a Blue Cross survey noted improved mental wellbeing as a key benefit of owning a pet.
- A 2023 Statista survey found that 94% of respondents said their pets made them happy, and 44% credited their pets with being a lifeline during the cost-of-living crisis.
Gardens and Stress Reduction:
- Research from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) shows that daily gardening can lead to 6.6% higher wellbeing scores and 4.2% lower stress levels compared to non-gardeners.
Emerging Trends in Pet Retail (2024/2025)
Luxury Pet Products:
- Nearly a third of pet owners (31%) prioritise their pet’s happiness over costs, spending £500 annually on luxury pet items (MoneySuperMarket).
Healthy Pet Food:
- 60% of pet food buyers in the UK prioritise health-conscious choices, favouring natural ingredients and fresh options.
Service-Led Retail Spaces:
- Pet stores are evolving into service hubs, offering grooming, veterinary care, nutrition advice, and even pet-friendly cafes.
- Leading examples include PetCo’s flagship store in New York, featuring an indoor dog park, food preparation kitchen, and omnichannel shopping options.
Personalisation and Loyalty:
- Retailers are innovating with personalised services to retain price-sensitive customers. Pet-friendly spaces like workplaces, hotels, and department stores are also gaining traction.
Key Trends in Garden Retail (2024/2025)
Urban Gardening:
- With one in eight UK households lacking a private garden, urban gardening – using containers, window boxes, and community plots – has become a dominant trend.
Urban Garden Centres:
- Small-format garden centres like Dobbies’ “Little Dobbies” are popping up in urban neighbourhoods, catering to houseplant enthusiasts and small-space gardeners.
Garden as a Social Space:
- With 43% of Brits planning to host garden parties, consumers are embracing multifunctional outdoor spaces for work, relaxation, and entertainment.
The Bigger Picture
The report emphasises that the pet and garden sectors are “stickier” than most retail industries, thanks to their ties to living entities and the measurable benefits they bring to consumers’ lives. Sustainability, personalisation, and innovative retail formats will be critical for businesses aiming to thrive in these markets. “This is clearly a time of great potential for both the pet and garden sectors,” the report concludes. “Consumers are more invested than ever in these categories, as they reflect everything they care about – their family, their friends, their home environment, the planet, the lives they’re living. It’s the retailers who understand this who are set to bloom.”
Download the report at https://www.source-homeandgift.com/content-hub/reports/pet-garden-retail-insider-trends
About Source Home & Gift
Taking place at NEC Birmingham, Source Home & Gift is the leading UK trade show for global suppliers and retailers, offering unparalleled sourcing opportunities for the home and giftware market. Whether you’re looking for homewares, toys, gifts, furniture or packaging services, Source Home & Gift is a must-attend event for the retail community, uniting global manufacturers with high-profile retailers, brands, and designers who are looking to responsibly and sustainably source new products.
Source Home & Gift takes place on the 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham. Visit www.source-homeandgift.com for more information.