Top Pet Supply Industry Trends for 2016

The pet supply industry is booming, and projected growth for 2016 supports this. According to the American Pet Products Association, spending is projected to be up by $2.42 billion on total pet expenditures in the United States.

The breakdown shows that the majority of pet owner expenditures were on food and veterinary care, with these categories expected to increase by $96 million and $5 million this year respectively. The remainder of these expenses are spent on pet supplies/over the counter medicine, live animal purchases, and other supplies. All three of these categories are expected to grow, with pet supplies and over the counter medicine up by $7 million, live animal purchases up by $1 million and other supplies up by $32 million.

Numbers like these can be attributed to one simple fact: Americans love their pets, and won’t skimp on taking care of them. Approximately 65% of U.S. households include a pet, which equates to roughly 79.7 million homes. Among these, 54.4% of households own dogs, while 42.9% own cats. Because most people consider their pets to be a part of the family, they’re often very likely to shell out big bucks for their comfort and care.

Concerns about our pets’ care and quality of living have a lot to do with their health. Healthcare costs can be quite high even for routine visits, and procedures requiring anesthesia or x-rays are comparable in cost to those performed on humans, especially if the client does not have pet insurance. Among the primary concerns of pet owners are obesity and aging pets who require special care. For aging pets, more veterinary visits are normally required to ensure better health, in addition to special dietary products and other services. An increase in the number of obese pets means greater numbers of veterinary visits and medications as well. With more time spent at the vet and more pet owners engaging in special services to manage pets’ health, Americans are spending more money on their four-legged friends.

In addition to revenue growth, the pet supply trends indicate that several new businesses will open, expanding the market. The desire for various services like grooming, boarding, day care and pet sitting have resulted in a wave of entrepreneurs joining the ranks of business owners in the pet industry.

For those in the pet supply business, this is yet another indication of an almost recession-proof industry. Pet supply trends have shown that average spending has been growing by about 2-3 billion per year since 1994. With no signs of stopping anytime soon, the pet industry will be on the rise in 2016.

How will your pet shop take advantage of these trends? Offering new and innovative product lines is a great way to attract new customers and retain those who have been loyal to you for years—quality products build trust and encourage repeat visits. At 4 Paws Tech, we’ve recently launched a retail program offering brick and mortar store owners a dealer-focused program with co-op hometown advertising, low minimums and quick ship order fulfillment. Visit our dealer sign-up page today to become an official 4 Paws Tech retailer!

Light Up Your Walk with the Adventurer LED Walking Jacket

Have you ever found yourself walking along a busy road, wishing you had something to help make yourself more visible to oncoming traffic? If so, the Adventurer LED Walking Jacket is perfect for you. One of the only nighttime jackets on the market to have LED lights inserted into the fabric, this revolutionary product is sure to make you feel safe when walking by yourself or with your dog.

Lighting System

Both day and night, the LED Walking Jacket will keep you visible by illuminating the way and alerting motorists and passersby of your presence. During the day, you can rely on the bright, vibrant yellow color of the fabric to gain attention, and at night, you can turn on the LED lighting system that’s embedded into the jacket. With lights located on both the front and back of the jacket, you’ll have a guide for your path forward and a way to be visible from behind as well.

Usage & Charging

When you put the LED rain jacket on, you’ll find that there are three different modes of use from a slow to fast flash to constant on all of which can be easily be changed using the large rubber on/off button located on the jacket.

Whenever you need to charge your lights, the process is incredibly simple and quick. The system is powered by a USB rechargeable battery that can easily be connected and disconnected when you need to charge or wash your clothing. The charge lasts for over 30 days and has 10 hours of use time. And because it only takes three hours to charge completely, you can start charging it at lunchtime and have your walking jacket ready for an evening stroll with your furry friend!

Other Features

This windbreaker-style jacket with lights was designed to be breathable, waterproof and comfortable and comes with a removable zippered hood which can tuck easily into the collar when not in use. It also has three waterproof zippered pockets so you can store your phone, wallet and any other valuable items without worrying about them getting ruined in a soaking rain. There’s even a doggy bag dispenser for when you’re taking your four-legged loved ones on walks!

Here is a complete list of benefits:

• Breathable waterproof fabric in vibrant yellow
• LED lighting system: white lights on the front of the jacket guide your way and red lights on the back of the jacket let motorist know you're there
• USB rechargeable lithium ion battery (USB charging cable included)
• Charge time: 3 hours for complete charge & 1-hour quick charge. Charging indicator light turns from red to green when fully charged
• Use time: 10+ hours of continuous use depending on mode of use. Standby charge is 30 days (usage time may vary)
• 3 modes: Fast Flash | Slow Flash | Constant On
• 3 reflective zippered pockets, 1 doggy bag pass through
• Zippered, removable hood
• Large rubberized on/off button
• Garment is machine washable (must remove battery)

At 4 Paws Tech, our customers’ safety is our number one concern. And with the Adventurer LED Walking Jacket, we know that everyone who wears it will be safe when walking outside. Whether you’re walking on a sidewalk or are crossing the street, you and your dog will never have to worry about a car not seeing you again. Shop our store or one of our many authorized retailers for this great item and more.