Pet Stores in European Union: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The pet stores industry in the European Union comprises establishments primarily dedicated to the retail sale of companion animals, specialized pet food, and pet accessories. Driven by structural shifts toward pet humanization and advanced nutrition, the market has expanded to support an EU pet population that includes 69,359,000 dogs and 80,965,000 cats, according to official data representing 2023. This deep consumer connection underpins a broader European pet market where accessories and services reached a value of 24.6 billion EUR in 2023 (FEDIAF Facts & Figures 2025). The industry continues to evolve through premiumization, digital transformation, and specialized retail concepts.

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

Historical & forecast

Get in touch and our analysts will be happy to help with custom market sizing, deeper segmentation, supplier detail or a bespoke study built for you.

What does the Pet Stores in European Union industry cover?

The industry encompasses the brick-and-mortar and digital retail distribution of live companion animals, pet food, and animal care merchandise. Operations are focused on delivering specialized products that cater directly to domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, ornamental birds, small mammals, and aquaria. Many physical retailers also integrate specialized auxiliary provisions like professional pet grooming and lifestyle training within their commercial spaces.

• •Retailers specialize in species-specific care, excluding commercial livestock and related agricultural operations.
• •Product assortments span standard commercial food, veterinary-diabetic diets, toys, bedding, and travel systems.
• •Ancillary in-store services function as major customer retention tools for modern storefront operations.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The European Union market structure contains a mix of major multi-national corporate chains and a large base of small, independent boutique retailers. Major corporate retail chains utilize large-format stores to capture high transaction volumes, whereas independent stores rely heavily on localized footprints and premium specialty goods. Distribution networks are split between physical storefronts and digital specialized pet platforms.

• •Corporate entities manage centralized distribution networks to optimize regional supply chains across multiple member states.
• •Independent operators often join purchasing cooperatives to remain price-competitive against corporate scale.
• •Omnichannel platforms have emerged as a standard format, bridging traditional physical stores with home delivery options.

What drives demand in the industry?

The primary catalyst for industry demand is the steady proliferation of pet ownership and the ongoing structural trend of pet humanization. Pet owners increasingly treat companion animals as core family members, which directly correlates with elevated per-capita spending on advanced health and premium dietary products. This dynamic safeguards the retail sector against standard economic downturns due to the non-discretionary nature of nutritional pet care.

• •A total of 69,359,000 dogs and 80,965,000 cats were recorded living within EU households, representing data for 2023.
• •Urban living spaces have increased demand for specialized small mammal and indoor cat retail products.
• •Consumer demand has shifted toward preventative health solutions, specialized biological diets, and life-stage nutrition.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The European pet retail landscape features strong competition between prominent corporate networks, independent retailers, and digital-native marketplaces. Major operators secure market share through expansive regional store networks, exclusive private-label brands, and customer loyalty ecosystems. Publicly traded companies and major private conglomerates compete intensely on product availability, premium services, and digital convenience.

• •Fressnapf Holding SE operates as a dominant European pet retail entity, managing a vast network of physical stores across multiple EU countries.
• •Musti Group Oyj, a prominent Nordic pet care retailer, focuses on comprehensive omnichannel strategies and specialized services.
• •Zooplus SE serves as a massive dedicated e-commerce engine across the European Union, shipping high volumes of pet supplies directly to consumers.
• •Pets at Home Group Plc maintains active operations within Europe, serving as a model for integrated veterinary and retail formats.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The sector is experiencing notable growth in sustainable, organic, and ethically sourced product alternatives. Digital integration, automated subscription models, and smart pet technology are reshaping standard consumer shopping behaviors across the continent. The economic outlook remains favorable as the broader European pet accessories and services market registered an official valuation of 24.6 billion EUR in 2023, exhibiting a strong 9% annual value growth.

• •The market for pet accessories and services reached 24.6 billion EUR, representing data for 2023 compiled by FEDIAF.
• •Smart pet technology, including GPS trackers and automated feeders, is expanding rapidly within store electronics sections.
• •Eco-friendly packaging and locally sourced ingredients have become key differentiators for premium product lines.

How is the industry regulated?

Operators within the European Union must strictly comply with complex frameworks governing animal welfare, consumer protection, and feed safety. Retail operations are subject to national laws overseeing the commercial sale and handling of live animals, alongside rigorous European-wide traceability rules for nutritional goods. Compliance demands ongoing operational monitoring to realign labels and product standards with evolving environmental and safety mandates.

• •Retail feed items must strictly comply with the European Commission's alignment rules for animal nutrition and product safety.
• •In 2025, the European Commission formally endorsed updated Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for Pet Food to harmonize green claims.
• •Store designs must align with strict national animal welfare protocols regarding the temporary housing of live sales.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• FEDIAF Facts & Figures 2025 ·
• FEDIAF Annual Report 2026 ·
• Eurostat NACE Rev. 2 Classification System