Core Insights - The pet economy is a significant highlight in the current consumer market, but it also has its pitfalls, as evidenced by the impending closure of Pet&Fresh, founded by Hou Yi, who previously innovated in retail [1][2] - Despite the challenges faced by Pet&Fresh, the pet economy continues to thrive, with a notable increase in consumer spending on premium pet products, as highlighted in the Tmall Double 11 report [1][2] Industry Trends - There is a clear trend of consumption upgrading in the pet industry, particularly in pet food, with a growing preference for high-end products such as wet food and freeze-dried options [2][4] - Over 80% of pet owners have adopted a scientific feeding habit, indicating a shift from merely filling pets' stomachs to providing quality nutrition [2][4] Business Viability - The distinction between good, bad, and pseudo-businesses in the pet industry is crucial, with essential products like pet food and healthcare being the most viable [3][4] - Many businesses attempting to enter the pet market without a deep understanding of pet ownership and consumer behavior may struggle, as seen with Pet&Fresh [3][4] Consumer Behavior - The pet industry is characterized by a shift in consumer behavior, where pet owners are willing to spend more for emotional value, leading to a decrease in the Engel coefficient for pet spending [6][8] - The online shopping channel remains dominant in the pet market, with 68.1% of pet owners preferring to purchase products online [5][6] Retail Dynamics - The physical retail space for pet products faces challenges, particularly in terms of location and foot traffic, which are critical for success [9][11] - The lack of interactive and social elements in physical pet stores can hinder customer engagement and repeat business [12][15] Conclusion - The failure of Pet&Fresh can be attributed to its inability to adapt to the competitive landscape of the pet industry, where understanding consumer needs and preferences is essential for success [16]

Core Insights - The report from Tmall indicates a significant shift in pet consumption from "basic feeding" to "refined pet care," highlighting a trend towards consumption upgrade in the pet industry [1][3] Consumption Upgrade - Over the past three years, the Engel coefficient for pet consumption on Tmall has decreased by 2.93%, indicating a diversification in pet spending [1] - The share of high-priced essential pet products has increased, while the variety of non-essential items has also expanded, confirming the trend of consumption upgrade [1][4] Pet Food Trends - High-end pet food categories, such as wet food, baked food, fresh food, freeze-dried food, and prescription food, are gaining a higher share of consumption on Tmall [3] - More than 80% of pet owners have adopted a scientific feeding habit that combines dry and wet food, shifting from merely filling pets to providing quality nutrition [3] Cat Litter Consumption - The share of cat litter priced above 200 yuan has increased from 34% during the 2023 Double 11 to 45% in 2025, indicating a growing preference for higher-quality products [6] - The top-selling cat litter types are now more focused on higher-priced mineral and plant-based litters, which offer better clumping, less dust, and improved comfort [6][8] Pet Health Products - Tmall offers nearly 50,000 types of pet health products, with the fastest-growing categories being cat health products targeting specific issues like heart and urinary problems, which have seen over 120% growth [8] - The shift in pet owners' mindset from "treating illness" to "preventing illness" aligns with the emotional consumption trend of treating pets as family members [8] Smart Pet Products - Smart pet products are becoming integral to pet care, with significant growth in sales for smart wearables (1560%), smart toys (1470%), and smart feeding devices (over 160%) during the Double 11 sales [9] - The popularity of smart storage containers has notably boosted the brand meoof, which entered the top 20 pet product brands on Tmall for the first time [9]