Pet Industry: Chewy, Mars, Purina and Retail Results — 2026-10-22
Recent industry data highlights a divergence in consumer spending, with cat ownership driving retail growth despite softening demand in the dog sector. In Europe, Fressnapf is restructuring its international operations to accelerate expansion, reaching a significant milestone with its 3,000th location, while Zooplus continues to expand its marketplace capabilities into Spain.
Pet Industry: Chewy, Mars, Purina and Retail Results — 2026-10-22
Top developments
Cat Sector Outperforms Dog Market in Retail Sales
Recent spending analysis indicates that while the dog sector is experiencing softening demand and tightening consumer discretionary spending, spending on cats remains strong, boosting overall pet retailer performance. This shift suggests that retailers and manufacturers may need to adjust inventory strategies to prioritize feline products to maintain growth in the current economic climate.
Fressnapf Restructures European Operations for Growth
The Fressnapf Group is implementing a significant organizational overhaul of its European structure. Effective January, a newly created country cluster for Maxi Zoo will launch, led by Giane Van Landuyt, the former Belgium manager. This move is designed to streamline operations and support the group’s aggressive expansion targets, including plans for 150 to 180 new stores in 2026.
Zooplus Expands Marketplace Strategy to Spain
European e-commerce leader Zooplus is extending its marketplace model to Spain, marking its third marketplace launch after France and Germany. This expansion aims to broaden the product offering in existing markets and maintain momentum in the online pet retail sector, signaling a continued shift towards platform-based retail strategies among major pet distributors.
Local view
German Retailers Show Resilience Amidst Economic Headwinds
According to the newly released "Zoofachhandel 2026" statistics published by Dähne Verlag, many companies in the German pet market have demonstrated resilience despite the challenging macroeconomic environment of 2025. The data suggests that while the broader market faces pressure, established pet specialists have maintained stability, reinforcing the sector's status as a defensive asset class in retail.
Context & numbers
Global and U.S. Market Forecasts
The U.S. pet industry reached $158 billion in expenditures in 2025, with projections estimating a rise to $165 billion in 2026. Globally, the pet care market is valued at $273.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $499.06 billion by 2034, driven by premiumization and pet humanization trends.
Specific Category Growth: Cat Litter
The global cat litter market is experiencing robust growth, projected to reach $10.2 billion by 2035, up from $5.8 billion in 2025. This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8%, highlighting the specific strength of the cat care segment within the broader industry.
On the radar
Digital Marketing Performance for Pet Services
Software Pro Digital reported strong performance metrics for pet service businesses, with Google Local Services and Search programs delivering 1,311 charged leads at an average cost of $17. These results, shared on October 21, 2026, highlight the effectiveness of digital channels in acquiring customers for veterinary and grooming services ahead of the fall show season.
Rise of Natural Freeze-Dried Treats
There is a growing strategic shift toward natural, additive-free freeze-dried pet treats, driven by refined pet parenting standards. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on long-term health benefits for companion animals, moving away from conventional processed options.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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