Pet Reptile Products: US Pet Market Trends and Opportunities, 2nd Edition

Report Overview

Reptile Products: U.S. Pet Market Trends and Opportunities, 2nd Edition

Dogs and cats are the hands-down furry darlings of the U.S. pet market. But the reptile business has advanced as well over the past decade, spurred by a growing interest in these “mini dinosaurs.” Like dog and cat owners, reptile owners have strong ties to their pets. In Packaged Facts’ February/March 2020 survey, 85% of “other pet” owners, including reptile owners, consider their pets to be part of the family. Reptile ownership also synchs with demographic shifts including the advancement of Millennial and urban households in that the smaller pets are ideal for tighter spaces. Equally important—and all the more so given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic—reptiles are affordable compared with dogs or cats, with most reptile owners view their reptile setups as a reasonable expense.

Pandemic notwithstanding, the reptile business may therefore be poised for growth, both because of the heightened levels of comfort and affection pet owners are finding in their pets due to social distancing and being home bound, and because children—who during the stay-at-home period need more than ever to be entertained—are a key factor to the household ownership of reptiles. The “reptiles as family” trend further suggests new opportunities for premiumization along the lines of supplies ever more reminiscent of what a reptile would experience in the wild.

U.S. retail market for food and non-food supplies

This completely revised edition of Packaged Facts’ Reptile Products: U.S. Pet Market Trends and Opportunities, 2nd Edition analyzes the U.S. retail market for food and non-food supplies for pet reptiles including snakes, lizards, turtles, and amphibians such as frogs, tracking sales through all retail channels including online sales. Taking into account the expected impact of COVID-19, Packaged Facts forecasts that sales of reptile products will grow from $495 million in 2019 to reach between $550 million and $650 million by 2024.

Reptile Products: U.S. Pet Market Trends and Opportunities, 2nd Edition provides detailed analysis of the factors that have driven the reptile market up to this point, including ownership among younger generations and households with children, and presents a forward-looking perspective on how and why this market may change in the coming years. The report covers historical and projected retail sales estimates from 2014 through 2024, competitive strategies including the part played by private label products, and trends in new product development. It also examines retail trends including the impact of the e-commerce boom contrasted with the importance of pet specialty retailers in this market, as well as online marketing and social media efforts. Featuring exclusive data from Packaged Facts’ Survey of Pet Owners, the report examines reptile ownership levels and purchasing trends, as well as reptile owner psychographic data. The report also features Simmons consumer survey data that provides demographic profiles and ownership trends.

This report analyzes the U.S. retail market for food and non-food supplies for pet reptiles including snakes, lizards, turtles, and amphibians such as frogs, tracking sales through all retail channels including online. The report covers reptile food (including live food such as crickets and worms), tanks, tank accessories, and related items. This report does not cover livestock or food or other supplies not marketed specifically for reptiles, such as fresh produce obtained from a grocery store or pea gravel obtained from a home improvement store.

Terminology Note

Throughout this report, the terms “other animal” and “other pet” is used to refer collectively to animal types other than dogs or cats, including reptiles and three other segments—fish, birds, and small animals (gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, rats, etc.).

Methodology

The information contained in this report was obtained from primary and secondary research. Primary research includes national online consumer polls of U.S. adult pet owners (age 18+) conducted on an ongoing basis by Packaged Facts, to measure purchasing patterns and attitudes regarding pet products and services. With sample sizes of approximately 1,000 pet owners, these surveys are based on national online research panels that are census representative on the primary demographic measures of age, gender, geographic region, race/ethnicity, and household income. The surveys used in this report were conducted between February 2019 and March 2020.

Our primary research also includes interviews with pet market experts; participation in pet industry events including the American Pet Products Association’s Global Pet Expos (2004-2020) and Petfood Industry/Watt Publishing’s Petfood Forums (2004-2019); on-site examination of retail and service provider venues; and internet canvassing, including blogs.