Professional Veterinary Product - Competitors

Professional Veterinary Product Competition

Now Viewing Professional Veterinary Product's competition in: Pet Stores (primary)

Recent Developments

Legislation Addresses Abusive Puppy Mills - Bills intended to crack down on inhumane puppy mills, key competitors to pet stores that sell dogs, were introduced in the House and Senate. If passed, the legislation will require dog breeders who sell more than 50 dogs annually, either on the Internet or directly to the public, to be federally licensed and inspected. It will also require dogs at these commercial breeding facilities to be exercised an hour each day.

Pets Find Less Under 2008 Christmas Tree - A recent TNS Retail Forward survey finds that nearly 30 percent of US pets will receive fewer gifts from owners in the 2008 holiday season than a year ago, which doesn't bode well for pet store holiday sales. Specifically, 18 percent of pet owners plan to spend "much less" on their pets this holiday season; 14 percent say that they'll spend "somewhat less." Just 2 percent plan to spend "much more."

Pet Med Sales Rising - Growth in US sales of pet medicine, a product category stocked by most pet stores, is predicted to continue at a double-digit pace for the foreseeable future, according to Packaged Facts. An aging pet population, coupled with rising rates of pet obesity, are blamed for the growing demand for dog and cat medications. Medicinal products focus on various health issues including parasitics, cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, obesity, oral hygiene, and pain management.

Competitive Landscape

Pet ownership drives demand, and spending generally resists economic cycles. Profitability for individual companies depends on the ability to generate store traffic and effective merchandising. Large companies offer low prices and wide selections of both products and services. Small companies compete effectively by serving a local market, selling unique products, offering specialized services, or providing pet expertise. The industry is labor-intensive, with annual revenue per employee of about $100,000. Revenue per employee for small, independent pet stores is significantly lower than for major chains. Competitors include grocery stores, warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, Internet retailers, and some veterinary clinics.

Full Industry Overview For Pet Stores

Pet Stores Industry Forecast

from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research

US personal consumption expenditures on pet food products, an indicator for pet stores, are forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4 percent between 2008 and 2013.

Pet Food spending Growth Steadies

First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.