Things to consider: pets are people, too!
Pet retail is growing at a fast clip. 90 percent of retailers report growth in the pet-products category, according to a survey by Gift Shop Pets magazine. Pet retail consists of gourmet treats, costumes and outfits (for pets and people, too), kitschy décor, fancy pet furniture and more. Since 73 million American households have pets, this segment will likely continue to boom.
Millennials lead the charge, using terms such as “dogmom” and “furbabies” as a way to show that their pets are as important to them as children. Often, they do not have their own children, and pets serve as a substitute. Just take a look on social media — it is clear how dear pets are. As a result, these pets are pampered and memorialized as members of the family.
Pet parents are willing to spend money for the right pet products. Gifts and décor remain top-sellers, and quality is priority. Since these consumers treat their pets as children, the idea that “pets are people, too” is becoming pervasive in the gift industry. What’s more, 61 percent of pet owners say it’s important to buy American-made products. Stocking products from companies dedicated to Made in the U.S. is imperative — even for the pet-product niche. Kay Berry is one such company that prides itself on making all of its products in the United States.
Pet parents are bringing their pets everywhere, just like they would children. We see dogs at restaurants and bars, retailers beginning to be pet-friendly, plus small dogs being carried in bags everywhere their humans go. It is undeniable that pet parents are beginning to consider their ability to bring along their fur-children as a key differentiator in where they do business.
When a pet dies, people mourn just as they would the loss of a friend or family member. The American Pet Products Association, a trade group for manufacturers and distributors of pet products, recently surveyed pet owners, and the top item those pet parents reported they would purchase upon the passing of a pet is a memorial stone for the garden. Therefore, the must-sell items 
in the booming pet segment are memorial stones. Kay Berry offers a number of pet memorials, including ones that can be customized with a pets name, photo, or identification tags.
Garden stones for pets are varied — and more than just memorial stones are available. Kay Berry manufactures garden stones that mark a household as being pet-friendly, stones with cute sayings and even some with pop culture references, such as, “I came, I purred, I conquered.”
The bottom line is this: your store needs to cater to pet owners. Displays need to be well-rounded, showing outfits and costumes, gourmet food and treats, home décor, outdoor décor, toys and something unique that competitors may not have. Mugs with a dog’s breed will no longer set you apart from other retailers. Garden and memorial stones are the hot item to capture the imagination and attention of the pet-gifters shopping in your store.
© 2018 Kay Berry
