Covid
Covid-19 had a profound and lasting impact on the UK pet industry, reshaping consumer habits, retail operations, and supply chain resilience. Under this tag, Pet Gazette explores how pet shops, distributors, and petcare brands navigated lockdown restrictions, staffing challenges, product shortages, and evolving customer expectations. We also report on the post-Covid trading landscape — including lasting shifts towards online sales, changes in in-store footfall, altered buying patterns, and recovery strategies. Coverage is tailored to support pet retailers and supply chain professionals adapting to the sector’s ongoing evolution in the wake of the pandemic.
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Mar- 2021 -12 MarchPet Owners
3.2 million pets bought in lockdown, PFMA finds
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) has found that 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to its annual pet population data. Largely driven by Gen Z and Millennials, 59% of new owners are aged 16-34 and 56% of new…
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12 MarchEconomy
UK GDP shrinks 2.9% amid January lockdown
Monthly GDP fell by 2.9% in January as a national lockdown proved to impact economic activity, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals. Figures released show that January’s GDP was 9.0% below the levels seen in February 2020, and 4.0% below October 2020 – the “initial recovery…
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11 MarchCharities
Dogs Trust campaign reveals owners forced to give up pet due to Covid
Dogs Trust has released a new advert, featuring recordings from owners who made the decision to hand over their dogs over to the charity due to Covid-19. The recordings have been shared via a radio and video advert as part of the charity’s ongoing ‘Change the Tale’ campaign. The advert…
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10 MarchTrade Organisations
Nation has ‘good supply’ of pet food, says PFMA
The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) has issued a statement reassuring the UK that the country has a “good supply” of pet food. The trade association’s intervention comes after reports from retailers of pet food pouches shortages. According to the PFMA, the temporary shortage is due to a rise in…
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4 MarchRetailing
February footfall rises across all destinations despite lockdown
Footfall across UK retail destinations rose by 16% in February against the previous month, despite the continuation of lockdown and ongoing restrictions on non-essential retail. According to Springboard’s latest footfall monitor, this marks the largest month-on-month increase for February since its footfall data first became available in 2009. Footfall rose…
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3 MarchTrade Organisations
Kennel Club preps for phased return of events
Kennel Club has launched an online survey to poll the views of pet competition participants, judges and organisers over the eventual phased return of licenced events. The specific questions centre around how soon after the easing of lockdown restrictions would the respondents wish to return to licensed events. Respondents to…
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3 MarchCharities
SSPCA and Blue Cross launch joint research study
The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) and Blue Cross have launched a joint research study with the University of Edinburgh to identify ways to reach people living with pets in hard-to-reach, minority or vulnerable communities. Together, the two charities intend to take a “user-centred approach” to find effective ways to help pet…
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3 MarchEconomy
Budget 2021: Chancellor unveils new £65bn support package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined a new £65bn support package in his March budget, confirming the decision to extend the furlough scheme until the end of September as well as new loan schemes of up to £10m for businesses. In what is Sunak’s second budget since he joined office in…
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1 MarchTrade Organisations
PetQuip to reward outstanding achievements during Covid
The PetQuip Awards 2021 are set to reward outstanding achievements within the pet industry during the pandemic. The international trade association of pet equipment supplier’s annual award show will recognise two new categories – ‘Innovation in Lockdown’ and ‘Community Projects During a Crisis’. Both awards are open to everyone in…
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Feb- 2021 -26 FebruaryBusiness
Pets at Home raises guidance amid strong Q4 trading
Pets at Home has once again raised its profit forecast as the group continues to see strong trading and rising demand in the pet sector. In light of its trading year-to-date, it now anticipates full-year underlying pre-tax profit, including the previously announced repayment of business rates relief of £28.9m, to…
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