Pet Business Vacation Highlight – Client Regulation – Client Safety

The pet industry continues to evolve as consumer demand for
premium services grows. From luxury boarding to specialized
transportation, retailers are expanding their offerings to meet
sophisticated pet parent needs. Holiday seasons particularly
highlight this shift toward premium services, with pet owners
seeking elevated experiences for their furry family members. This
trend toward premium services reflects the deepening bond between
pets and their owners, driving significant market opportunities
during the festive season.

Our Performance Improvement team helps providers transform these
operational complexities into opportunities for enhanced efficiency
and growth, as demonstrated by our work with a leading national
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opportunities while enhancing quality of care. Let Ankura show you
how data-driven labor optimization can help balance regulatory
compliance, operational efficiency, and program excellence.

Holiday Pet Spending Takes Center Stage: Trends & Top
Picks

As holiday shopping kicks off, American households put their
money where their hearts are, investing $1,500+ annually in their
furry family members.

Pet Owner Spending

Average Total spent per household on pets

Daily necessities lead yearly costs, but pet parents set
aside $51-$75 for holiday toy splurges. Top gifts include
–

$15B Pet Boarding & Grooming Industry Preps for Holiday
Surge

US Pet Grooming & Boarding Spending Continues to
Grow

As holiday travel plans take shape, pet grooming and boarding
services anticipate their annual festive rush. The industry, which
generated approximately $15B in sales in 2023, sees one of its peak
periods during the winter holidays. Key drivers include:

• Holiday Travel Surge: Premium boarding
  facilities report increased bookings for “pet vacation
  stays” during family holiday getaways.




• Special Occasion Grooming: Pet parents
  prioritize professional grooming services for holiday photos and
  family gatherings.




• Extended Holiday Hours: Many facilities expand
  their services during peak holiday periods to meet increased
  seasonal demand.

Pet Industry Holiday Outlook Market Trends & Consumer
Behavior

As pet retailers prepare for the holiday season, four key
market trends are shaping consumer behavior:

The Big Stories

	PetSmart is making strategic moves with both leadership and digital innovation: the retailer has appointed Ken Hicks, former CEO of Academy Sports and Outdoors and Foot Locker, as its new President and CEO effective October 31, 2024, following J.K. Symancyk’s departure to Signet Jewelers.
	On the digital front, PetSmart is breaking new ground through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Grubhub, making over 14,000 pet products available for on-demand delivery from more than 1,400 locations nationwide. The partnership, which targets shifting millennial and Gen Z shopping habits where over half now purchase pet products online, marks Grubhub’s first expansion into pet retail and includes integration with their Grubhub+ loyalty program.
	Tractor Supply is expanding its pet retail presence through the acquisition of Allivet, leveraging its strong customer base where about 75% of its 37 million loyalty members are pet owners. The retailer, operating 2,270 Tractor Supply stores and 205 Petsense locations, is capitalizing on post- pandemic “rural revitalization” while continuing its “Project Fusion” renovation program that has upgraded nearly half its fleet, though the company expects cautious consumer spending heading into the election year.

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