Retail Stores Pet Food - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The retail stores pet food market size was valued at USD 88.70 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 93.10 billion in 2026 to USD 115.90 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4.5% from 2026 to 2031. This report is Segmented by Store Format (Pet Specialty Stores, Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, and More), by Pet Type (Dog Food, Cat Food, Bird Food, and More), by Product Type (Dry Food, Wet Food, Treats and Toppers, Fresh and Refrigerated Food, and More), and by Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Retail Stores Pet Food Market Trends and Insights

Premiumization and Pet Humanization Lift Store Baskets

The retail stores pet food market is experiencing growth due to the increasing trend of pet humanization, where pet owners treat pets as family members and prioritize their health and well-being. This has led to a rise in the purchase of premium, specialized, and health-focused pet food products through physical retail outlets. Furthermore, the growing pet population is driving demand. According to the UK Pet Food survey, in 2026, the pet population in the United Kingdom reached 36.5 million, an increase of approximately half a million compared to two years prior, highlighting the expanding consumer base for pet-related products. As pet ownership grows and demand for higher-quality nutrition increases, retailers are allocating more shelf space to premium products and enhancing in-store merchandising strategies.

Functional and Science-Backed Nutrition Accelerate Trade-Up

The retail stores pet food market is experiencing growth due to rising demand for nutrition products that provide specific health benefits, such as digestive support, immunity enhancement, improved mobility, and healthy aging. Pet owners are increasingly prioritizing ingredient quality and scientifically validated formulations, driving a shift toward premium and specialized pet food categories. Physical retail channels continue to play a significant role, as they enable consumers to compare products, assess nutritional claims, and seek expert advice before making a purchase. According to BENEO, in 2024, a survey revealed that over one-third of pet owners provide their pets with products featuring digestive health claims, reflecting a growing preference for function-focused nutrition. As health-oriented feeding becomes more prevalent, retailers are dedicating more shelf space to premium and science-based pet food products.

E-Commerce Auto-Ship Erodes Routine Store Replenishment

The retail stores pet food market is under growing pressure from online purchasing models that diminish the necessity for routine store visits. Subscription programs, auto-replenishment services, and digital marketplaces provide convenience and predictable delivery schedules, making them appealing for frequently purchased pet food products. Once consumers adopt recurring online purchasing habits, physical retailers face increased challenges in maintaining repeat traffic for routine replenishment purchases. This trend is particularly noticeable in China, where digital commerce plays a significant role in pet product sales. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, online channels were a key driver of China's pet industry growth in 2025, fueled by consumers' rising preference for digital engagement and e-commerce purchasing. As online penetration continues to grow, traditional retail stores may see a decline in visit frequency and fewer opportunities for routine pet food sales.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Refrigerated Fixture Rollout Unlocks Fresh-Food Conversion
• AI-Led Assortment Localization Improves On-Shelf Relevance and Sell-Through
• Ingredient and Packaging Cost Volatility Compress Margins

Segment Analysis

The retail stores pet food market share for the pet specialty stores held the largest 32.0% in 2025, representing the largest share among retail channels. This dominance is attributed to their ability to offer curated assortments, category expertise, and a superior shopping experience compared to broader retail formats. These stores excel in merchandising premium, super-premium, and function-focused pet food products, which often require product education and guided purchasing decisions. Additionally, they provide manufacturers with greater flexibility to showcase innovative and differentiated offerings. As consumer preferences shift toward specialized nutrition and premium feeding solutions, pet specialty stores continue to solidify their position within the retail distribution landscape.

The retail stores pet food market size for the pet specialty stores is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.6% from 2026 to 2031. This growth is driven by increasing consumer interest in premium nutrition, personalized product recommendations, and specialized pet care solutions. The format's ability to offer a deeper category selection and a more consultative shopping environment than mass retail channels further supports its expansion. Pet owners seeking functional nutrition, breed-specific products, and premium feeding options often favor specialty retailers due to their focused assortments and expertise. As premiumization trends persist across pet food categories, specialty stores are well-positioned to capture additional consumer spending and enhance customer loyalty.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Store Format
  • Pet Specialty Stores
  • Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
  • Mass Merchandisers and Club Stores
  • Convenience Stores
  • Other Retail Stores
• By Pet Type
  • Dog Food
  • Cat Food
  • Bird Food
  • Fish Food
  • Small Mammal and Reptile Food
  • Other Pets
• By Product Type
  • Dry Food
  • Wet Food
  • Treats and Toppers
  • Fresh and Refrigerated Food
  • Frozen and Freeze-Dried Food
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Rest of North America
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Chile
    • Rest of South America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • Middle East
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Turkey
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • Egypt
    • Rest of Africa

Geography Analysis

North America held the largest 45.3% revenue share in 2025. The region benefits from high pet ownership, strong consumer spending on pet care, and a well-developed retail infrastructure that supports premium and functional pet food products. Pet specialty stores, supermarkets, and mass merchandisers provide extensive market coverage and broad product availability. Consumers in the region demonstrate strong interest in premium nutrition, fresh food, and specialized feeding solutions, encouraging continuous product innovation. The combination of mature retail networks, high product penetration, and advanced merchandising capabilities continues to reinforce North America's leadership position.

Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.2% from 2026 to 2031. Growth is being driven by rising pet ownership, expanding middle-class populations, increasing urbanization, and greater awareness of commercial pet nutrition. Consumers across the region are increasingly interested in branded, premium, and health-focused pet food products. Markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India are contributing to category expansion through different stages of market development. This combination of mature premium markets and emerging adoption opportunities provides significant momentum for retail pet food sales across the region.

Europe remains a significant market for retail pet food stores, driven by high pet ownership rates, established retail distribution networks, and strong consumer demand for premium pet nutrition products. According to the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), annual pet food sales in Europe reached EUR 29.3 billion (USD 33.7 billion) in 2025, representing a 9% year-over-year growth. This reflects increased consumer spending on pet food and also growth in the sales across supermarkets, hypermarkets, pet specialty stores, and other retail channels. This growth has prompted retailers to expand premium product assortments, allocate more shelf space, and enhance in-store offerings.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Mars, Incorporated
• Nestlé S.A.
• Colgate-Palmolive Company
• General Mills, Inc.
• The J. M. Smucker Company
• Freshpet, Inc.
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Partner in Pet Food Hungária Kft. (CVC Capital Partners)
• VAFO Group a.s.
• Tiernahrung Deuerer GmbH
• Monge and C. S.p.A.
• Affinity Petcare, S.A. (Agrolimen S.A.)
• Unicharm Corporation
• Thai Union Group Public Company Limited
• Adimax Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos Ltda.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support