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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May- 2020 -15 MayCoronavirus
IRC launches ‘We are open’ scheme amid Covid-19 crisis
The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), a group of trade organisations representing different independent retail sectors across the UK, has launched ‘We are open’, an online map and directory of independent shops that are still open and operating responsibly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the government’s guidance some high street retailers…
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14 MayIndustry News
Zooplus welcomes ‘successful’ Q1 trading
Zooplus revealed it has had a “successful” first quarter of trading, maintaining “uninterrupted operations” despite the worldwide pandemic. In the first quarter of the year, total sales rose by 21% to €439.9m (£389m) against €363.2m (£321m) the year prior. The group said that this was “primarily driven” by “loyal existing…
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14 MayCoronavirus
Oak Tree Animals Charity reopens rehoming programme
Oak Tree Animals Charity has announced it has reopened its rehoming programme amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity, which was unable to rehome animals or take in non-emergency animal relinquishments, has been authorised by DEFRA with “strict” guidelines put in place. Oak Tree announced it encourages its staff to work…
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14 MayCoronavirus
Public should not buy pets online, West Midlands Police warns
West Midlands Police is warning the public against buying pets online without visiting them first, as they fear criminals are taking advantage of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Online sellers are using the current crisis restrictions as an excuse for not being able to visit the animals and are sending images…
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13 MayCoronavirus
UK economy shrinks by 2% as pandemic takes its toll
The UK’s economy shrank by 2% in the three months to 31 March 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which also found that gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 5.8% during March, the largest fall…
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13 MayCharities
Keep unneutered cats indoors, urge animal charities
The RSPCA has warned that a current cat overpopulation across the UK could “get worse” with lockdown with the birth of “hundreds” of unwanted kittens. In light of this, animal welfare charities across the UK are now urging the owners of unneutered cats to help prevent a new ‘kitten season’.…
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12 MayCoronavirus
RSPCA partners with local food banks amid Covid-19 pandemic
Animal charity RSPCA has announced two of its London branches have teamed up with their local food bank to help provide a regular supply of pet food to vulnerable owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Wimbledon Foodbank has joined forces with RSPCA Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Sutton Branch as well as…
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11 MayBusiness
Inspired Pet Nutrition turnover rises
Inspired Pet Nutrition has revealed that its turnover rose to almost £100m in its latest annual results, following a £60m investment in the business. The Welsh company filed accounts revealing a turnover of £96.3m in the year ended 30 June 2019, up 3.4% against the year prior. It comes as…
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11 MayCoronavirus
Dogs at risk of separation anxiety once lockdown is over
Pet owners are being warned that their dogs could develop separation anxiety once the Covid-19 lockdown ends, having become accustomed to extra human attention while their owners are at home. Burns Pet Nutrition, a Welsh pet food company founded by veterinary surgeon John Burns, has warned dog owners that their…
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11 MayCoronavirus
Pets Corner reopens further 12 garden centre sites in UK
Pets Corner has reopened a further 12 sites in garden centres across the UK amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Following discussions with landlords, Pets Corner has announced the reopening of its sites in Braintree Garden Centre, Crawley Garden Centre, Longacres, Melbicks, Palmers and Warerslide, alongside six Dobbies Garden Centres in Essex,…
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