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.

Mar- 2021 -

3 March

Economy

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 March

Trade 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 February

Business

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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25 February

Government & Legislation

CTSI warns of unofficial pet microchipping registration website

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a warning regarding a website advertised on Google that offers pet microchip registration but does not meet UK Government standard The service, called UK Pet Chip Registry, claims that for a charge of £15, it will add the pet’s microchip details to…
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24 February

Coronavirus

Scotland to reopen non-essential retail from 26 April

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that non-essential retailers in Scotland will be able to reopen from 26 April. Sturgeon outlined the country’s exit out of lockdown restrictions yesterday (23 February), giving businesses a timeframe of when they can expect to reopen. Scotland’s stay-at-home order is likely to remain in…
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22 February

Coronavirus

PM outlines ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown

Prime minister Boris Johnson has set out his four-step “roadmap” to guide the nation out of lockdown “cautiously but irreversibly”, calling the plan a “one-way road to freedom”. Step one will begin from 8 March, when all schools will be allowed to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed.…
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22 February

Charities

Petplan donates £1,000 to Barley Greyhound Sanctuary

Petplan has awarded its £1,000 charity cheque for January 2021 to the Barley Greyhound Sanctuary in Essex. Barley is also a lifelong sanctuary for greyhounds that can’t be homed for any reason. When greyhounds arrive at the sanctuary, they are assessed by the team, who will neuter and care for…
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15 February

Business

Kennelpak faces supply chain issues

Kennelpak has revealed publicly it is facing supply chain problems resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, notably with the Yakers dog chews brand. The brand is currently seeing an increased demand of 97% per month compared to this time last year. In a letter to customers, Kennelpak’s national sales manager, Rob…
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11 February

Current Affairs

OATA urges government to resolve animal importation issues

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has urged the government to resolve problems surrounding the importation of livestock animal by-products and plants, into the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. In a letter penned by the chief executive of the OATA Dominic Whitmee he stated that businesses throughout…
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8 February

Retailers

29% of small retail businesses fear collapse in next three months, study finds

29% of small businesses in the retail sector fear contraction or collapse in the next three months as the coronavirus continues to disrupt business, a study by Hitachi Capital Business Finance reveals. The company which has been tracking small business outlooks across the UK for 26 consecutive quarters found only…
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