Good prospects

In the world’s biggest pet shop, Zoo Zajac in Duisburg, sales in the small animal segment have tripled in the last six years. Other pet supplies dealers are also saying that sales of hamsters and similar pets are increasing considerably in some cases. And some manufacturers of products for small animals reckon that this pet segment will become established as the undisputed number 3 in the pet market after dogs and cats. Current market data from the UK’s Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) have even demonstrated that the small animal sector continues to grow at a faster rate than the cat and dog markets. In many other regions of the world, too – for example, eastern Europe and Scandinavia, along with South America and some Asian countries – hamsters, guinea pigs and other small animals are becoming increasingly popular. The market still harbours enormous sales potential and its structure is underdeveloped. In many countries, small mammals are only gradually gaining acceptance as pets. Even in markets where they are already established as pets, trends that are familiar from the dog and cat pet groups are only being transferred very slowly to small animals. Looked at more closely, such trends relate to individual, species-specific types of pet food, health products, organic and natural products, natural treats and product lines that take greater account of the life cycle of the pets. In the accessories sector, interactive toys and games and products made from natural materials are the main items of interest. It’s not just with regard to the development of products that the market for small animals might evolve in the next few years, however. The target group could also change. In many countries, small animals are still pets primarily for children and young people; but if trade and industry were to succeed in convincing more adults in the future that hamsters or rabbits could be the pets for them too, there would be nothing to stop a further boom in small animals. Yours Ralf Majer-Abele Download: Good prospects (PDF file)