Pet food subscriptions more than double since 2018, says Yodel

Pet food deliveries have more than doubled in four years according to the latest figures from independent parcel carrier Yodel.

Yodel said UK consumers turn to online deliveries as a “more convenient way to care for pets”, with the biggest rise coming from London, where pet food deliveries were up by 277% since 2018, closely followed by the West and Midlands regions, which both increased by 227%.

It comes after the UK saw a significant increase in pet owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. An estimated 3.2 million households took on a new pet since lockdown began in 2020, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA). 

With Covid-19 restrictions easing and fewer people working from home, Yodel has seen a surge in the number of pet food subscriptions being taken out. The business now handles more than six million pet food boxes every year.

Carl Moore, COO at Yodel, said: “With millions of new furry friends on the scene and Covid restrictions over, people are looking for the most convenient way to give their companions the best nutrition and care. 

“Growth in the pet food sector is representative of an overall shift in consumer behaviour towards online delivery, with many now using our services for products which they may not have in the past. This shift also demonstrates our ability to deliver parcels of different shapes and sizes, across a wide range of sectors.”