In collaboration with trend consultancy Insider Trends, Source Home & Gift, the premier sourcing event in the UK, which will take place at NEC Birmingham from February 2–5, 2025, has released an extensive analysis examining the key trends influencing the pet and garden retail industries. The Biggest Trends in Pet & Garden Retail research shows how eco-friendly practices, tech-driven innovations, and health-conscious consumers are driving growth in these vibrant areas.
Significant consumer investment is demonstrated by the data, which show that garden retail increased to £7.1 billion in 2022 and pet expenditure reached £9.89 billion in 2022—a startling 182% increase since 2005 (Statista). Although pandemic lockdowns initially fueled this expansion, the benefits associated with pet ownership and gardening for mental and physical health have made the trends sustainable.
Key Highlights of the Report
Pets and Wellbeing:
- 85% of people in a Blue Cross survey noted improved mental wellbeing as a key benefit of owning a pet.
- A 2023 Statista survey found that 94% of respondents said their pets made them happy, and 44% credited their pets with being a lifeline during the cost-of-living crisis.
Gardens and Stress Reduction:
- Research from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) shows that daily gardening can lead to 6.6% higher wellbeing scores and 4.2% lower stress levels compared to non-gardeners.
Emerging Trends in Pet Retail (2024/2025)
Luxury Pet Products:
- Nearly a third of pet owners (31%) prioritise their pet’s happiness over costs, spending £500 annually on luxury pet items (MoneySuperMarket).
Healthy Pet Food:
- 60% of pet food buyers in the UK prioritise health-conscious choices, favouring natural ingredients and fresh options.
Service-Led Retail Spaces:
- Pet stores are evolving into service hubs, offering grooming, veterinary care, nutrition advice, and even pet-friendly cafes.
- Leading examples include PetCo’s flagship store in New York, featuring an indoor dog park, food preparation kitchen, and omnichannel shopping options.
Personalisation and Loyalty:
- Retailers are innovating with personalised services to retain price-sensitive customers. Pet-friendly spaces like workplaces, hotels, and department stores are also gaining traction.
Key Trends in Garden Retail (2024/2025)
Urban Gardening:
- With one in eight UK households lacking a private garden, urban gardening – using containers, window boxes, and community plots – has become a dominant trend.
Urban Garden Centres:
- Small-format garden centres like Dobbies’ “Little Dobbies” are popping up in urban neighbourhoods, catering to houseplant enthusiasts and small-space gardeners.
Garden as a Social Space:
- With 43% of Brits planning to host garden parties, consumers are embracing multifunctional outdoor spaces for work, relaxation, and entertainment.
The Bigger Picture
The report emphasises that the pet and garden sectors are “stickier” than most retail industries, thanks to their ties to living entities and the measurable benefits they bring to consumers’ lives. Sustainability, personalisation, and innovative retail formats will be critical for businesses aiming to thrive in these markets. “This is clearly a time of great potential for both the pet and garden sectors,” the report concludes. “Consumers are more invested than ever in these categories, as they reflect everything they care about – their family, their friends, their home environment, the planet, the lives they’re living. It’s the retailers who understand this who are set to bloom.”
