For a brand in the 21st century, an e-commerce presence has become the new norm. From delivering fresh food to groceries and even booking a doctor’s appointment, this new norm has allowed them to reach places and penetrate even the remotest of areas.
These geographical boundaries are also being blurred by the pet care industry. With e-commerce as a tool, it is becoming easier for pet parents to lead a hassle-free pet parenting life. From getting essentials like pet food delivered within hours to booking an online vet consultation from the comforts of home, it has truly become easier for the brand as well as the consumer.
It is now a well-known fact that the organized pet care industry in India is estimated to be worth a billion dollars. Globally, it is growing at a CAGR of around 15 percent and is projected to expand at over 6.1 percent CAGR between 2021 and 2027 with the Indian and South Asian pet care markets being key players. And with the recent boom in internet services in the last few years, it has become a preferred marketplace for the young generation or Gen Z.
E-commerce has made it possible not just for the urban population but also for tier II and III cities to realize the dream of affordable pet care. People are adopting and bringing home a four-legged companion at a never seen pace, all driven by the need for companionship which is now hassle-free due to the e-commerce impact. This has opened a new horizon of pet care that will impact future purchase decisions.
In 2020, the world was not prepared for the pandemic. The general population’s mental health took a massive hit and the need for pet companionship took the forefront. People realized the calming effects of having pets by their side. With the pandemic affecting individuals, a furry companion was seemingly an easy decision to make. The importance of animal-assisted therapy for mental health took priority and with this newfound realization, more people are bound to bring home a pet than ever.
Now cut to 2022, in the post-pandemic world, these pet parents are increasingly turning to the internet to buy pet supplies and products, and this is helping to drive growth in the sector. But the question remains, how and why is this growth attributed to the boom in the e-commerce space?
There are several reasons for this growth:
Increasing Urbanization: With more people moving to cities, there is a corresponding rise in the adoption of companion animals like dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits, etc. to support their end-to-end needs and healthcare, the pet care space is evolving itself with every passing day.
Pet Health Consciousness: People are becoming more aware of their pets’ health and hygiene needs. This leads to a demand for quality and affordable pet care products that can improve the health and well-being of pets.
Rising Disposable Income: As the per capita income rises, more people can afford luxury items for their pets such as toys and accessories. This boosts the pet care industry’s growth prospect.
One of the biggest pet care e-commerce trends is the increased availability of specialty foods for pets. Whereas this type of food was once only available in specialty stores in big cities, it is now available quickly and inexpensively online in all parts of the country. This means that pet parents can easily purchase foods designed specifically for their pets’ special needs.
The new-age e-commerce platforms like Supertails.com have made the lives of pet parents easier and more efficient. They know that visiting a vet offline might be stressful for their pet hence a better alternative would be to consult them online. With a plethora of advantages, e-commerce has truly changed the game in the pet care space.
That said, pet parents have a lot of benefits when purchasing on e-commerce platforms, including:
Selection: Online stores like Supertails.com typically have a much bigger selection of pet products than physical stores do, so you’re much more likely to find what you’re looking for.
This not only includes your bigger brands but gives equal space and priority to smaller, home-grown brands from different parts of the world. Thereby means more choices for the consumer and better visibility to multiple brands.
Content: Pet parents have taken up the task of getting to know their pets better. From understanding their quirky behaviors to medical issues, pet parents want to be better informed in order to build a more loving and caring relationship with their furry ones. This gap of providing the right knowledge is gradually being filled by e-commerce platforms through their social media presence and free online courses.
Prices: Pet products are often found to cost lesser online than in physical stores. Online stores don’t have the same expenses that physical stores do. The cost of an offline store like rent and employing labor is significantly higher than that of an online store. And due to an aggressive rise of D2C online pet care markets, the consumer is now spoilt for choices and better discounts.
Convenience: When you buy pet products online, you don’t have to physically go to a store, which can be time-consuming and difficult. Shopping online, and browsing through the large assortment of pet food and category is now easier. You can order everything you need in just a few minutes, and have it delivered straight to your door.
Services: And if any assistance is needed, pet parents can now directly talk to real people like vets and trainers without having to wait for chatbots. This means convenience is being delivered straight to the consumer.
With a rapid increase in e-commerce, the supply chain and warehouse segment have also strengthened. Supertails.com has been cognizant of this fact and this has led to quicker and hassle-free deliveries in metropolitan cities, sometimes in under 24 hours.
Many pet businesses are seeing the benefits of selling their products online through e-commerce platforms rather than opting for an offline store.
What else? Sellers can reach a wider audience and marketing is simplified. With e-commerce platforms, businesses can share their products across different websites and increase their visibility.
Pet care businesses are not only built on products and services but also rely on kindness and compassion. While e-commerce has surely become a launchpad for pet care businesses, it would be incomplete without the human touch. These two forces combined will only lead to an upward trend in the pet care space.
