It is over a 150 years since James Spratt started manufacturing and selling dog biscuits to wealthy dog owners in USA – the pet food market has grown to the scale we see today; a value of around €21 billion in Europe and $30 billion dollar in USA.
It is one of the few categories where smaller businesses successfully compete with global players and innovation is actively encouraged!
Similar to plant based, pet food is also an active market now for acquisition and investment. Both Nestle Purina and Mars Petcare having taken active share or ownership of smaller players in the last few years.
Product, packaging and labelling management for pet food is complex. Pet food is a regulated industry with potentially different local legislation to follow depending on where your products are being marketed.
To be competitive, be savvy and invest in solutions to drive efficiencies and enable products to be launched quicker and accurately. Be agile to evolving trends to help grow your business and sales.
Developing a successful new pet food product formulation in modern times is challenging. Products must offer excellent nutrition and safety but still be convenient and cost effective. Pet satisfaction is key. And on top, products and ingredients are increasingly being judged for sustainability and ingredient traceability.
Health and wellness are key trends. Buying pet food is an emotional purchase, so purchasers are more than happy to buy into something that will benefit their furry companions.
From grain-free to premium raw food recipes there is a food option to meet any requirement. Nutriment, Bella&Duke and Natures Menu all have successful premium raw food ranges, with doorstep delivery for convenience.
‘Free from’ and allergy concerns, are central to many product claims. Ranges marketed by Arden Grange are naturally hypoallergenic; their sensitive cat food product has just won a retailer award for cat food of the year.
‘Clean label’ ranges with limited ranges of ingredients are being promoted like the award winning ‘Just6’ range from popular brand Harringtons from Inspired Pet Nutrition.
Scientifically qualified nutrition is important for premium products like those from Hills Pet Nutrition Carefully sourced quality ingredients are central to Lily’s Kitchen ‘proper food’ claims and MPM's product philosophy.
Reducing over-processing is becoming important too. Products from newcomer Walker & Drake offer nutritional benefits from minimal processing.
And to meet highly individual needs there are even personalised formulations available like those from Tails.com and Butternut Box, which arrive at your door tagged with your pet’s name.
Fuelled by the pandemic, ecommerce, direct to consumer and subscription services are booming. By 2024 analysts forecast that ecommerce will be the primary sales channel for pet products, representing 35% of all sales.
The majority of bestselling brands are available for home delivery and offer subscriptions services. Pet food doorstep deliveries are here to stay and allow smaller players to compete without having to secure supermarket shelf space.
The economic pinch has meant that premium and super premium pet foods and treats are now out of budgetary reach for some of us. But the best pet food does not necessarily have to be the most expensive.
Manufacturers of private label dog food like GA Pet Food have the innovation expertise and facilities to bring new products to market to meet any price point.
As well as the major retailers, pet product retailers like Pets At Home have the very successful private label product ranges: Ava, Wainwrights & Step Up to Naturals.
Social responsibility to find alternative sources of protein is also relevant here. Pet food generally contains meat and fish by-products from human food processing, so is relatively sustainable by comparison. However, with pressure to reduce animal sources of protein, a growing human population and climate change, it is important to find alternatives. There is a lot of interest in using insect protein as a main or secondary protein ingredient in animal feed and Yora are true trailblazers here with their exciting range of dog food made from insects as a sole protein source complemented by fresh vegetables.
Use 4Pack Product Information and Artwork Management solution to simplify your product launch process and help teams to be agile to key trends.
Product, packaging and labelling management for pet food is complex. Pet food is a regulated industry with potentially different local legislation to follow depending on where your products are being marketed.
Speak to 4Pack today to understand how we could help you grow and scale your business.
For additional label advice and information, use regulatory bodies like FDA, food.gov.uk and industry organisations PFMA and FEDIAF that offer market specific labelling guidance for pet food and animal feed products.
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