Continued growth predicted for SMEs in the pet industry

Award-winning SME financier 365 Business Finance, specialising in revenue-based finance, has highlighted the UK’s rapidly growing pet industry.

The London based lender reports a 94 per cent increase in funding for pet retail outlets throughout 2020 and 2021, in comparison to 2018 and 2019.

As a reflection of the high demand for pets, pet supplies and grooming services during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, this significant jump in the amount funded to pet related businesses is “not just a temporary trend”, according to 365.

2022 is already proving to be yet another strong year for both the pet retail and veterinary industries, indicating that the knock-on effects of the pandemic and pet ownership are not slowing down anytime soon.

Additionally, the latest data also shows a 74 per cent increase in funding for veterinary practices throughout 2020 and 2021, when compared to the previous two years.

Managing director at 365 Business Finance, Andrew Raphaely, said: “Through our support of many UK businesses, we can see the impacts of various trends when it comes to consumer spending.

“The continued growth of the pet industry is an indication of how new working from home practices have allowed some individuals to adapt their lifestyles, achieving a better work life balance in many instances and, in particular, being able to welcome dogs and cats into the family, as some of our team members have done since the pandemic began.”