E-commerce is becoming more and more of a powerhouse in the pet food world; unsurprisingly, the current pandemic is playing a part. | (William Potter | Shutterstock.com)
Pet owners plan to stick with e-commerce post-pandemic
Less than half said they planned to usually continue shopping in-person at brick-and-mortar locations both now and after the pandemic.
Return to normal life during the ongoing pandemic has proven elusive, and likewise pet owners may not return to pre-COVID shopping habits, according to a November 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Even after a hypothetical end to the pandemic, 22% of pet owners plan to continue purchasing products online and have the pet food, treats and other items shipped to their homes. That’s double the pre-pandemic figure, although down from 26% who said they usually buy online for home delivery right now.
The majority, but less than half at 47%, said they planned to usually shop in-person at brick-and-mortar locations both now and after the pandemic. Before COVID-19 spread, 66% said they usually patronized a physical place. Other pet owners, 12%, plan to usually browse in store, then buy online post-pandemic, up from 9% beforehand. Another group of pet owners, 7%, plans to do the opposite and browse online, then purchase in a physical location after the pandemic ends.
Pet ownership up in the pandemic
The APPA survey also detailed how the number of people who got new pets in the United States continued to rise in 2021. In the survey, 14% of participants said they got a new pet because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, up from 6% in June 2020. Younger demographic groups, Gen Z and Millennials, were more likely to get new pets than other age groups, especially those in urban areas and with children. However, 4% of respondents said they had to give up a pet while another 6% delayed getting a new dog, cat or other animals.
Twice as many survey participants said that the pandemic had a positive effect on their pet ownership as negative. However, the influence of the pandemic differed by age and economic groups. Baby boomers’ pet ownership was least affected by the pandemic. Only 5% if that age group got a new pet due to COVID-19, according to the survey. For Generation X, pet ownership grew 13%. The younger demographic groups saw the greatest gains in pet ownership. Millennials increased by 24% and Gen Z by 26%.
Compared to Gen X and baby boomers, younger pet owners worry more that they may need to spend less on pet food and treats in 2022 or change to a cheaper brand, according to the survey. Distinct generational differences arose related to economic issues.
Since early in the pandemic, APPA has surveyed U.S. pet owners about how COVID-19 influenced pet ownership. The percentage of millennials and Gen Z that are concerned how finances will affect their pet expenditures rose in the last survey.
Tim Wall covers the dog, cat and other pet food industries as a senior reporter for WATT Global Media. His work has appeared inScientific American, Live Science, Discovery News, Honduras Weekly, Global Journalist and other outlets. He holds an M.A. in journalism and an M.S. in natural resources, both
from the University of Missouri - Columbia, along with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Wall served in the Peace Corps in Honduras from 2005 to 2007, where he coordinated with the town government of Moroceli to organize a municipal trash collection system, taught environmental science, translated for medical brigades and facilitated sustainable agriculture, along with other projects.
Many hours, efforts, dollars and brainpower go into pet food companies’ and regulatory bodies’ efforts to ensure that products on the market are safe and healthy for pets.
