Gift Shop Plus Winter 2022

Family Treasures By Debbie Eisele

Pet owners want the best for their fur babies. In fact, the majority of U.S. households have a pet so it’s no surprise that pet needs have risen in priority among consumers. According to American Pet Products, 69% of U.S. households have a dog and 45.3% a cat. Shoppers who buy products for pets, or merchandise featuring pets, is on the rise and there are some notable trends: breed specific and high quality.

“One of the biggest trends we are seeing continue to grow this year is that pet products are going more upscale. Pets are a part of our families and we want them to have the best,” Colleen Hall, vice president of marketing for C&F Enterprises, said. “Our pet products are crafted of the same high quality materials we use in our human products, and are designed to integrate with your other home décor.”

Custom offerings are also increasing. “I see an overall trend in personalized pet gift items,” Mary Badenhop, artist and owner of Pipsqueak Productions International, said. Due to the popularity of personalized merchandise, Pipsqueak has added to its offerings, which include Christmas Porcelain Ornaments and Heart Shaped Ornaments that offer sentimental tones for pet sympathy related gift-giving.

Pipsqueak Productions noted that its best-sellers include kitchen related items that feature dog and cat breeds as well as parrots, fish and farm animals. “Our Pet Kitchen Dish Towels and Aprons, with colorful artwork designs, have been extremely popular and continue to grow year after year. Why? Because it’s the pawfect or should I say purrfect gift item … especially for the holidays,” Badenhop shared.

She also shared that the top AKC breeds list are extremely popular, as are Doodles, including Goldendoodle and Labradoodles. Badenhop emphasized that Labs and “Frenchies” are also great sellers. Greyhounds are another popular breed and Pipsqueak Productions is having success with greeting cards, towel sets, shopping pads and magnets that feature these majestic canines. “We sell many products to Greyhound Rescue Leagues with 50% off retail on pricing; they are able to raise funds to help support their cause. This also includes Basset Rescues as well as overall rescue leagues,” she said.

Spoiled Rotten Dog Dirty Paws Boa

DEMDACO

Dogs Holding Paws

Cardthartic

Standing Cat Guard

North Country Wind Bells Inc.

Furevever in My Heart Pet Ornament

Whitney Howard Designs.

Created with Color

Kay Berry

Doodle Tote

Pipsqueak Productions

Playful Cats and Dogs Dishtowel Sets

tag ltd

Rainbow Bridge Frame

Roman

Holiday Pet Products

Vera Bradley

Eat, Sleep, Play Oval Cat Bowl

tag ltd.