6/3/2022 By Jeannie SwedbergThe numbers are in from Sundale Research showing 2021 was another record year for spending on American pets. According to these industry observers, the forces driving this bullish market will continue through 2026 – despite the negative economic pressures. If history is any guide, people would rather cut spending in other areas of their lives than on pet care and food for their fur babies...READ MORE
2/15/2022 By Jeannie SwedbergAnyone who reads this space regularly knows I have a love for new product innovation. I spend a fair amount of time looking at where people see whitespace and what’s going on in other markets. It’s inspiring, sometimes head scratching – immunity-enhancing tuna fish, for instance, but always enlightening. READ MORE
1/28/2022 By Jeannie SwedbergSifting through my inbox at the beginning of each year is always a bit daunting, so it’s not surprising I just unearthed a Mintel report from the first week of the new year. It’s on the state of sustainable packaging for pet food. The author, Kate Vlietstra, global food & drink analyst, wrote “brands must reassure pet owners of sustainable packaging credentials and guide them through the complex world of sustainability jargon.” ...READ MORE
11/16/2021 By Jeannie SwedbergSo, I recently read the title of a Mintel report – Pet Parents a New Breed of Snack Consumer (kudos to the author for the wordplay) – and the first thought that came to mind was: Do pet owners’ snack differently than non-pet owners? Do they favor savory snacks over sweet? Crunchy vs. chewy? Are cat owner snacking preferences the same as dog owners? My mind was whirling with the possibilities. Of course, I’m sure you’ve already guessed that wasn’t the point at all. The main premise of the report was the line between people food and petfood is blurring as people seek to bond with their pets by snacking together...READ MORE
10/22/2021 By Jeannie SwedbergPet owners are influenced by consumer trends – after all they’re consumers – and many of those same consumer trends flow right into the pet food segment. Good gut health is one of those consumer trends bridging the people food/pet food gap. Over the past decade or so, the food industry has done a great job communicating the benefits of good digestive health. So now people have an understanding that their gut health is important to their overall wellbeing. And in another case of ‘what’s good for me is good for my pet...READ MORE