A recent PETS+ Brain Squad survey found that independent pet retailers are selling more frozen raw petfood than gently cooked options.
The survey, which gathered responses from approximately 1,500 pet retailers and service providers, showed that 79% of respondents sell more frozen raw food, while 21% report higher sales of gently cooked petfood. Retailers indicated that frozen raw food sales are driven by factors such as knowledgeable staff, mainstream interest in fresh feeding, and brand loyalty programs.
Sales figures for frozen raw and gently cooked food varied. The largest portion of respondents (39%) reported that frozen raw and gently cooked sales made up 15% to 30% of their overall petfood sales. Smaller groups indicated that frozen raw accounted for more significant portions of sales, with 2% of respondents reporting that over 60% of their sales came from frozen raw food.
Retailers also identified product preferences and opportunities for growth in this category. Some requested more educational materials, including brochures and QR codes, to help customers understand the benefits of fresh petfood. Others emphasized the need for compostable packaging and cost-effective meat blends for consumers feeding multiple pets.
Retailers also called for more product format options, including larger bags of scoopable food and novel protein sources, to meet consumer demand for convenience and variety.
