How the pet product sector is developing

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USA: Pet services fuel growth
Analysis: The US pet product market is the most innovative in the world. Genuine product innovations such as premium pet food or luxury accessories for dogs and cats were born here before gradually spreading to the rest of the world - and this situation is not likely to change in the future.
Trends: According to data from the American Pet Products Manufacturers' Association, $ 41 bn was spent in 2007 on pet products in the USA, compared with $ 21 bn in 1996. An increase in pampering and gifts fuelled the growth. Many pet owners treat their pets like their own children. Cleanliness plays an extremely significant role where pets are concerned. Mouthwash and electric toothbrushes for dogs, daily pedicures for birds and cleaning cloths for muddy paws are expected to constitute indispensable elements of the retail range. High-end grooming services, such as pet hotels, pet spas and doggie day-care are also strongly in the ascendancy.
Spain: The hope for the future in EuropeAnalysis: Spain is one of the fastest-growing markets in the European pet product sector, with annual growth rates in double figures. Pet owning is on the increase, especially in the cities, with an estimated dog population of 13 mio and cat population of 6 mio. Awareness of the health requirements of pets is also increasing rapidly. Current trends such as life-cycle- and breed-specific concepts in pet food, the growth in single-serve portions of moist food for dogs and cats and the diversification in the accessory segment are all gradually catching on in Spain.
Trends: If the comparatively high level of economic growth across Europe should continue, the pet product sector might carry on growing also. This is what the numerous retail chains currently setting up in Spain are hoping for. French garden centres such as Jardiland and Système V, the Fressnapf Group and the IJsvogel-Group above all are making efforts to expand rapidly in Spain.
Russia: High growth potentialAnalysis: With an estimated 37.9 mio pets, Russia is by far the largest pet product market in Europe. In the metropolises of Moscow and St. Petersburg in particular, where the purchasing power of the population is well above the national average, there is a super-rich upper class that is happy to pay handsomely for high-quality pet products. A high-earning middle class is also emerging that is gaining in importance as a category of buyers of…