The holiday season is a golden opportunity for pet product brands and retailers to increase sales. More people than ever are buying gifts for their pets, treating them like family members. In fact, over half of pet owners purchase holiday gifts for their pets, showing just how big this market has become (Industry Intel). This article, brought to you by Bestone Inc., a leader in pet accessories with 15 years of experience, will guide you through simple, effective strategies to make the most of this festive boom. From what pet owners want to how to market your products, we’ve got you covered with tips you can use right away.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the best ways to boost your holiday sales:
Key Takeaways: Boosting Pet Product Sales During Holidays
| Strategy | Why It Works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Popular Gifts | Pet owners love treats, toys, and accessories that pets enjoy. | Food/treats (68%), squeaky toys (46%) (Circana Survey) |
| Target Young Pet Owners | Millennials and Gen Z spend more and are active online. | Use Instagram and TikTok for marketing. |
| Use Festive Packaging | Holiday designs catch eyes and spark impulse buys. | Festive treat shapes sell out fast. |
| Start Early | Shoppers plan ahead for holidays like Halloween and Christmas. | Launch products in September. |
| Host Fun Events | Events draw crowds and create excitement. | Pet photos with Santa boost store visits. |
Let’s explore these ideas further to help you succeed this holiday season.
Understanding the Holiday Pet Gift Market
Why Holidays Matter for Pet Sales
The holiday season is when pet product sales soar. With 94 million pet-owning households in the U.S. in 2024, up from 82 million the year before (APPA), there’s a huge audience ready to shop. Over half of these pet owners buy holiday gifts, making it a prime time to capture their attention. They’re not just buying one thing either—on average, they grab 4.42 gifts per pet each year, with younger owners under 33 spending even more, up to 5.46 gifts (Industry Intel).
Holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and even Valentine’s Day drive this trend. Pet owners want to include their furry friends in the fun, whether it’s a spooky toy for October or a cozy bed for December. Knowing when they shop—starting as early as September—helps you plan your stock and marketing.
Who’s Buying and What They Want
Younger pet owners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are the big spenders. They’re online a lot, so social media is a great way to reach them. In 2024, 15% of pet owners planned to spend $51-$75 on holiday gifts, showing they’re willing to invest in their pets (USA Today). They look for fun, safe, and healthy items—think treats, toys, or even a stylish dog bandana to make their pet look festive.
Offering holiday-themed pet products, like treats in festive shapes or limited-edition flavors, can attract customers seeking seasonal items for their pets (Pet Age). This taps into their desire for something special during the holidays.
By understanding these buyers and their habits, you can tailor your products and timing to match what they’re looking for, setting yourself up for a big sales win.
Insight: The Power of Pet Humanization
Pets as Family Members
Pet humanization is the idea that pets aren’t just animals—they’re part of the family. This trend is why holiday pet gifts are so popular. People want their dogs and cats to join in the celebrations, whether it’s unwrapping a toy or wearing a cute outfit. The pet accessories market is expected to hit $49 billion by 2033, with dog products leading the charge (IMARC Group). That’s a clear sign of how much pet owners care.
“People want to include their pets in every part of their lives, especially during the holidays. That’s why seasonal treats and toys fly off the shelves.” — Kelly Ison, CEO of Einstein Pets (Industry Intel)
How It Drives Sales
This love for pets means big opportunities. When owners see their pets as family, they’re more likely to splurge on gifts that feel personal or festive. Think of a dog coat for cold winter walks or a toy shaped like a Christmas tree. It’s not just about fun—owners also want healthy options, like natural treats or durable dog toys. This mix of emotion and practicality is what makes holiday sales soar.
Creating exclusive holiday bundles or gift sets provides added value and encourages customers to buy multiple items together (Pet Business). Pairing a toy with a treat, for example, can turn a single purchase into a bigger sale.
The 4 Ps of Holiday Pet Product Sales
Product: What to Sell During the Holidays
The 4 Ps—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion—are your roadmap to holiday success. Let’s start with Product. Pet owners want gifts that make their pets happy and fit the season. A 2023 survey found the top picks are food or treats (68%), squeaky toys (46%), chew toys (46%), plush toys (42%), and catnip toys (32%) (Circana Survey). These are winners because they’re affordable and fun.
Holiday-themed items take it up a notch. Festive packaging or shapes—like snowflake treats—grab attention and sell fast. Offering something unique, like a limited-edition toy, can make your products stand out.
Customization Boosts Appeal
Personalized gifts are a hit. Adding a pet’s name to a collar or toy makes it special and can justify a higher price. This taps into what pet owners crave—unique, thoughtful gifts that show they care.
Offering customizable pet products, such as personalized collars or toys, caters to consumers seeking unique gifts and can command higher price points (Pet Product News).
Price: Catering to Different Budgets
Understanding Pet Owner Spending
Pet owners spend differently based on their budgets, but holidays often inspire them to splurge. In 2024, 15% of pet owners planned to spend $51-$75 on holiday gifts for their pets, while others might stick to smaller, budget-friendly items (USA Today). On average, they buy 4-5 gifts per pet, so offering a range of prices—from affordable treats to premium accessories—ensures you capture all types of shoppers.
For example, a simple durable dog toy might appeal to budget-conscious buyers, while a personalized dog harness could attract those willing to spend more. Bundling items, like a toy and a treat together, can also encourage higher spending by offering perceived value.
Exclusive Holiday Bundles
Creating holiday-themed bundles is a smart way to boost sales. For instance, a “Holiday Pampering Kit” with a plush toy, festive bandana, and treats can appeal to owners looking for a complete gift set. This not only increases the average order value but also makes gift-giving easier for customers.
Creating exclusive holiday bundles or gift sets provides added value and encourages customers to purchase multiple items together (Pet Business).
By offering products at various price points and bundling options, you can cater to both budget shoppers and those looking to splurge, maximizing your sales potential during the holidays.
Place: Optimizing Sales Channels
Where Pet Owners Shop
Pet owners shop both in-store and online, so an omnichannel approach is key. In 2023, 90% of pet owners shopped in-store, while 70% shopped online (Industry Intel). Popular in-store locations include Walmart (48%), pet specialty stores (45%), and Target (21%), while online, Amazon, Chewy, and pet specialty websites dominate (17%). Ensuring your products are available across these channels is crucial.
For online sales, optimize your listings with holiday-themed keywords like “holiday pet gifts” or “festive dog toys” to improve search visibility. In-store, create eye-catching displays with festive decorations to draw attention to your holiday products.
Enhancing the Shopping Experience
Whether online or in-store, the shopping experience matters. For e-commerce, ensure your website is user-friendly, with clear product descriptions and high-quality images. Offering fast shipping and easy returns can also boost customer confidence. In physical stores, consider hosting events like pet photos with Santa to drive foot traffic and create a festive atmosphere.
Decorating stores with festive holiday décor creates an inviting atmosphere that can enhance the shopping experience and encourage purchases (Pet Product News).
By optimizing both online and offline channels, you can reach more customers and make their holiday shopping experience seamless and enjoyable.
Promotion: Marketing Your Holiday Products
Effective Holiday Promotions
Promotions are essential for driving holiday sales. Popular tactics include discounts on popular items, bundle deals (e.g., buy one get one half off), loyalty rewards, and free gift wrapping. These strategies cater to the high demand for holiday gifts and can increase basket size (Industry Intel).
Another effective approach is to offer limited-time products, like holiday-themed treats or toys, which create a sense of urgency. For example, Einstein Pets’ “Santa’s Helper” treats sold out quickly due to their festive appeal and limited availability (Industry Intel).
Leveraging Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for reaching younger pet owners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, who are active on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Showcase your holiday products with engaging visuals, share user-generated content (e.g., pets enjoying their gifts), and run contests or giveaways to boost engagement.
Hosting pet-themed contests or giveaways during the holidays can increase customer engagement and brand visibility (Pet Age).
By combining traditional promotions with digital marketing, you can create a buzz around your holiday products and drive both online and in-store sales.
Additional Tips for Success
Engaging Customers with Events
Hosting events can significantly boost foot traffic and customer engagement. Popular ideas include photos with Santa, where pets can pose for a festive picture, or contests like “Cutest Elf” or “Good Dog/Naughty Dog,” which encourage social media sharing and community involvement (Pet Product News).
These events not only attract customers but also create memorable experiences that can lead to repeat business. Consider partnering with local shelters for adoption events, which can increase goodwill and associate your brand with community support.
Data-Driven Inventory Planning
Analyzing past sales data is crucial for stocking the right products. Look at what sold well in previous holiday seasons and adjust your inventory accordingly. For example, if treats and toys were top sellers, ensure you have ample stock. Also, consider introducing new seasonal items to keep your offerings fresh and exciting.
Implementing loyalty or subscription programs, like auto-ship options for pet food, can enhance customer retention and ensure consistent sales beyond the holiday period (Pet Business).
By using data to guide your decisions and engaging customers through events and loyalty programs, you can maximize your holiday sales and build long-term customer relationships.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a prime opportunity to boost pet product sales, and with the right strategies, you can make the most of it. By focusing on popular gift categories like treats and toys, targeting key demographics like Millennials and Gen Z, optimizing your sales channels, and creating a festive shopping experience, you can capture the growing demand for holiday pet gifts. Remember to start early, use festive packaging, and engage customers with events and promotions to stand out in a competitive market.
At Bestone Inc., we specialize in helping pet product brands succeed with customized, high-quality accessories like collars, leashes, and toys. With 15 years of experience and a commitment to eco-friendly materials, we’re here to support your holiday product needs. Contact us today to start planning your holiday lineup and make this season your best yet!
