China News Service, Tianjin, April 4th: Title: Mainland’s “exquisite pet raising” heats up, “other economy” plays new tricks

  China News Service reporter Wang Junyan

  On the first day of the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday, as the temperature gradually warms up, people go out to enjoy the flowers. In the "Pet Friendly Paradise" located in Heping District, Tianjin, more than a hundred puppies dressed in spring clothes and exquisite hairpin headdresses "showed off their outfits" with their owners, played and made friends, took beautiful photos, and left behind their own " Furry child” and the wonderful spring memories of the owner.

The picture shows the dog "Pudin" at the "Hairpin Party" held on the 4th. Photo by China News Service reporter Tong Yu

  "Spring is a season suitable for picnics. In order to participate in today's party, I matched my 'pudding' with a blue dress that says 'picnic' (picnic). It goes very well with the warm spring scenery and hairpin headdress." Participate in the event Ms. Zhang, the pet owner "Sister Pudding" said that she spends seven to eight thousand yuan (RMB, the same below) every month to buy clothes for her dogs. "I have a room in my house dedicated to dog clothes, and many of them are Purchased on behalf of others or customized. I take it to pet travel groups several times every year, and I also organize birthday parties for it. A party costs nearly 10,000 yuan."

  The "China Pet Industry Development Index Report (2023)" shows that against the backdrop of China's declining marriage rate and accelerating aging trend, the proportion of empty-nesters and single young people has increased, creating more demand for pet companionship. "Furry babies" are an important part of the family, and many pet owners raise their pets as carefully as they "raise their own children." "Exquisite pet raising" continues to grow in popularity.

  "Pet photography, socializing, playing with each other, funerals... Nowadays, young people are becoming more and more sophisticated in raising pets, and various personalized needs are constantly emerging." Li Yuxuan, the head of a pet club in Tianjin, told reporters that more and more pet owners are It is considered that pets are one of the family members, and "furry children" also need to celebrate birthdays, travel and vacation, and party and socialize every year, and various subdivisions are booming.

  "More creative activities and markets related to pets have also been welcomed by pet owners." Li Yuxuan said that in 2023, the club he founded held 55 pet-related activities, including movie watching, markets, travel, etc. , the number of planned activities in 2024 will exceed 100.

Dogs ride on a swing at the "Pet Friendly Park" located in Plaza 66 in Heping District, Tianjin. Photo by China News Service reporter Tong Yu

  iiMedia Research data shows that China’s pet market has huge room for development, and consumption upgrades have led to the development of pet products and food in a diversified direction. The reporter found out that the sales of fresh pet food, snacks, etc. on online platforms are quite high, and many chain brands are also optimistic about the "It economy". For example, the food chain brand Holiland launched a pet baking brand focusing on pet cakes.

  Many young entrepreneurs are also targeting the pet market. At the "Hairpin Party", Wang Zhe, a "post-95s" entrepreneur, set up an exquisite booth to display and promote his customized leather goods for pet owners who participated in the event. Wang Zhe told reporters that she studied art in college and chose this entrepreneurial project out of her love for pets and her optimism about the prospects of the pet market.

The picture shows Wang Zhe, a "post-95s" entrepreneur, displaying his leather sculptures at the booth and creating them on-site. Photo by China News Service reporter Wang Junyan

  "My customized products mainly include various leather goods such as pendants and bags. I create customized leather carvings of pet images on the leather goods for pet owners. The prices range from a few hundred yuan to several thousand yuan." Wang Zhe said, young people "Exquisite pet care" has caused the demand for these personalized customized products to continue to rise. Currently, her monthly operating income can reach tens of thousands of yuan, and orders have been scheduled for a month later.

  Young entrepreneur Wei Weili specializes in pet food, making birthday cakes, egg tarts, pizzas and other shapes with exquisite and cute shapes. "Young pet owners attach great importance to the 'sense of ritual', and sales have increased year after year because of this." Wei Weili said that she will develop new products according to different seasons and solar terms, "For example, during the Qingming Festival, I launched the 'Pet Youth League' and flowers All kinds of snacks in different shapes, full of spring atmosphere.”

On the 4th, in the "Pet Friendly Park", cute pets "walked the show" with their owners. Photo by China News Service reporter Tong Yu

  "The pet economy is gradually evolving from simple product consumption to a new consumerism with multiple consumption segments." Dong Weiwei, deputy director and researcher of the Institute of Economic Analysis and Forecasting of the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, said that the current penetration rate of China's pet market is still higher than that of developed countries. There is a gap, and it is necessary to focus on pet products or service segments, improve pet products and various service systems, and carry out forward-looking exploration in product development, service model innovation, and standardized management. (over)