By: Eric Payne, NGA Manager of Communications
COVID-19 is changing the grocery industry with social distancing in stores, employees and customers wearing protective masks and gloves, and products such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer flying off the shelves. Through these changes, grocers are stepping up to the plate, creating innovative ways to keep customers fed at home and safe in the store.
One area in which grocers can adapt to these changes and serve their customer’s needs is with pet products. With many Americans stuck at home, stories are coming out of animal shelters seeing a dramatic increase in adoptions. In El Paso, El Paso Animal Services was forced to temporarily close their facilities due to the pandemic and put out a call to locals asking for emergency adopters and fosters. The response from the community was extraordinary with 450 animals sent to temporary or permanent homes.
In New York City – one of the areas hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – many residents are finding solace by adopting pets. Muddy Paws Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society – both local animal rescue services in the area- have seen 10 times what they usually see in adoptions. While the rise in adoption could be a result of anxiousness or desired companionship, many just see this as the perfect time to adopt, raise, and train a new pet.
Seeing sales per customer go up 10% to $360, online pet supplier Chewy is cashing in on the adoption boom and increased pandemic purchasing from customers. However, there is also room for brick and mortar retailers to serve their customers with a new furry friend in the home. According to Nielsen, for the 4 weeks ending in March 28, pet dollar growth was up 24 percent from the prior year with customers stocking up on cat and dog food. According to Lindsay Beaton of Petfoodindustry.com, sales numbers for pet food leveled off in April due to so many customers stocking up the previous month. However, it can be expected that when the food runs out, customers will again be out purchasing in bulk for the newest additions to their families.
The era of COVID-19 is unprecedented for grocers as customers dramatically shift their shopping habits. While this increase in pet product sales may not be as high going forward, grocers can be sure that there are now many new pet owners across the Nation and they will be in the market for their beloved cats or dogs for years to come.
