Packaged Facts Examines Pet Humanization and the Rise of the Premium Product Shopper

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With pet humanization now a multibillion dollar business in America, the push to provide our four-legged companions with human-quality products has given rise to an important type of pet owner: the premium pet product shopper, according to U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2014-2015, a recent report by market research publisher Packaged Facts.

A number of pet product manufacturers and retailers have been crediting the humanization trend with driving their business, and premium pet product shoppers will help drive industry growth as the pet market reaches projected sales of $73 billion by the end of 2014, according to the report, which can be obtain at: http://www.marketresearch.com/redirect.asp?progid=86502&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epackagedfacts%2Ecom%2FPet%2DOutlook%2D8136111%2F.

In force for several years now, the humanization trend has multiple facets. Foremost, it's a natural expression of the "pets as family" trend, whereby pet owners treat their pets like children and are highly receptive to products similar to the ones they use for themselves. Not coincidentally, many of the services and products entering the market today are directly reminiscent of human fare, no doubt appealing to the pet owner as much as the pet, comments Packaged Facts research director David Sprinkle. Examples include veterinary procedures like chemotherapy, MRIs, and hip replacements; pet supplements like glucosamine and omega 3s; human-grade pet foods containing superfruits or touted as gluten free; designer pet supplies, including Bottega Veneta pet bowls and Simmons Beautyrest pet beds; and luxury services including boarding options more like hotel rooms.

Years of Packaged Facts Pet Owners Surveys have tracked the emergence of premium pet product shoppers and have confirmed the cohort's behavior patterns.  For example, the February/March 2013 Packaged Facts Pet Owner Survey found that a resounding 70% of pet owners would be willing to spend extra to ensure the wellness of their pet. Other Packaged Facts Pet Owner Surveys suggest that pet owners' desire for premium products influences their channel and brand choices. Likewise, close to one-third of pet product buyers (30%) agree that "I prefer to shop at pet product retailers that offer the best products available, even if they are more expensive."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, premium pet product shopping is most common among higher-income households. U.S. households earning $70K or more account for 54% of the aggregate pet market expenditure, and Packaged Facts believes these consumers to be footing the lion's share of the bill for premium pet products and services. Generally speaking, better-off pet owners are also more likely to have been less affected by economic doldrums and are recovering more quickly. 

For a full look at Packaged Facts' industry-leading catalog of reports on pet products and services reports please visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pet-products-services-c124/

About Packaged Facts – Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods, and pet products and services.  Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services.

Please visit Packaged Facts on LinkedIn for more insights.  Follow us also on Twitter and Google+.

Sales Contact:
Jeff Miller
[email protected]

Press Contact:                                                    
Daniel Granderson 
240.747.3035                                         
[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/132630

SOURCE Packaged Facts