Around 5% of UK payment cards now show regular spending at pet merchants, up approximately 1.5 percentage points since 2019, according to new data from Visa.
Growing pet-related spending is emerging as one of the trends shaping Britain’s so-called “couch economy”, with nearly three in 10 (28%) UK payment cards now making 10 or more online or in-app purchases each month, up from 15% in 2018, while digital payments overall – whether online or in-app – now account for 26% of UK domestic payment volume, up from 20% in 2019.
Rob Cameron, chief executive of Visa UK & Ireland, said: “Pets have always been an important part of family life, but our data suggests they are also playing a growing role in household spending. Regular demand for everything from food and grooming to care and other services shows how changing lifestyles are influencing where our money goes.
“What we’re seeing more broadly is that the ‘couch economy’ extends well beyond online shopping. As convenience becomes a bigger part of everyday life, consumers are increasingly turning to products and services that fit seamlessly around how they live. For businesses, that creates opportunities across digital commerce, subscriptions, delivery and other services that build ongoing customer relationships.”
