TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a first-ever study, GfK has learned that the pet specialty retail “universe” in Canada now exceeds 2,000 outlets – a rich marketplace lacking in basic sales metrics and trend data. This year, the global market research firm will fill this void, expanding its point-of-sale (POS) pet specialty data collection to Canada and providing benchmark data to empower retailers and manufacturers alike.
For more information on GfK’s Canadian pet retail panel and data, contact James Kennedy at james.kennedy@gfk.com.
GfK categorizes pet food on over 30 different criteria, such as gluten-free, LID (limited ingredient diet), seasonal products, grain-free, and breed-size. The firm’s POS data representing over 11,000 pet specialty outlets in the US shows that
- sales of grain-free pet food increased by 23.9% in 2014
- 8 in 10 of all new pet food products introduced last year in the US were considered “natural”
- the average price per pound for natural pet food products increased by 5% in 2014
“By capturing sales data nationwide and plumbing it for trends and insights, GfK will invigorate the pet specialty marketplace in Canada,” said Louis McCann, President and CEO of PIJAC Canada. “The ability to know what is selling across the country, how others are pricing key products, and which categories are growing fastest will lead to smarter decisions for retailers and manufacturers alike. With its global expertise in POS panels, GfK is the perfect firm to provide this crucial service to our industry.”
GfK’s Canadian universe study showed that Ontario accounts for more than one-third (835) of 2,063 total pet specialty outlets. (GfK’s study excludes mass merchants and grocery stores.) Other provinces with a large number of pet stores include
- Quebec: 425
- British Columbia: 343
- Alberta: 249
About GfK
GfK is the trusted source of relevant market and consumer information that enables its clients to make smarter decisions. More than 13,000 market research experts combine their passion with GfK’s long-standing data science experience. This allows GfK to deliver vital global insights matched with local market intelligence from more than 100 countries. By using innovative technologies and data sciences, GfK turns big data into smart data, enabling its clients to improve their competitive edge and enrich consumers’ experiences and choices.
For more information, please visit www.gfk.com/us or follow GfK on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gfk_en
