Pets become big business in India

印刷用画面を開く

Posted

Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. grooming / ˈɡru mɪŋ / (n.) – activities that a person does to keep a pet’s hair or fur clean and neat
    Example:

    Her dog doesn’t need grooming because it has short hair.


  2. pamper / ˈpæm pər / (v.) – to give someone or something a lot of attention and care; to give a special treatment
    Example:

    I usually pamper myself with a delicious meal from my favorite restaurant.


  3. urbanization / ˌɜr bə nəˈzeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the process by which a place becomes more like a city
    Example:

    One of the disadvantages of urbanization is heavy traffic.


  4. lavish / ˈlæv ɪʃ / (adj.) – having a very rich and expensive quality
    Example:

    She’s enjoying a lavish lifestyle. She goes shopping every week and eats at expensive restaurants all the time.


  5. fuel / ˈfyu əl / (v.) – to increase or strengthen something
    Example:

    The increased price of this smartphone is fueled by the brand’s popularity.


Article

Read the text below.

Pets are becoming big business in India as more people choose to get a furry friend. From special festivals to grooming, and food delivery services, owners have lots of ways to pamper their pets.


Pet Fed is one of India’s biggest pet festivals. Hundreds of proud owners are showing off their beloved companions. And events like this in Mumbai are predicted to get even bigger.


As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is seeing an expansion of diverse service industries that cater to its cash-rich middle class.


The pet care business has witnessed a remarkable rise in its fortunes after the pandemic, with a surge in pet ownership driving an entire ecosystem to meet the demand for pet products and servicing.


According to data company Statista, India had 18 million pets in 2016, and the pet population is expected to grow to more than 50 million in 2026. A significant portion of this is made up of dogs.


Actor and Pet Fed investor Dino Morea says the pet industry has huge potential to grow in India. “It’s growing, it’s growing huge actually. People are raising a lot of money for pet because it’s a very big industry, and it’s growing massive right now.”


“And as pet owners increase, the market is also going to get even better than it is today.”


Pet adoption rose during the pandemic-driven lockdown when people were forced to stay indoors, often alone. Rapid urbanization and the changing lifestyles of young professionals have also led to more acceptance of pets as family members and companions. Rising incomes have allowed higher spending on pet care and well-being, with people indulging their pampered dogs and cats with lavish products.


A report by Expert Market Research (EMR) estimates the Indian pet care products market is projected to grow at an annual rate of more than 23 percent between 2024 and 2032. A substantial part of this growth is fueled by pet owners moving from homemade pet food to commercially manufactured pet feeds.


Pet grooming has become a big business too, with upscale pet salons, pet couture and grooming specialists providing services to maintain pet hygiene and appearance.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The pet population in India is expected to grow in 2026. If the pet population were to increase in your country, what opportunities and challenges do you think would happen? Discuss.
  • Rising incomes have allowed higher spending on pet care and well-being, with people spending more on lavish products and services. In your opinion, is pet ownership only for the cash-rich middle class? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The pet care business has witnessed a remarkable rise in its fortunes after the pandemic. Why do you think this happened? What do you think is the relationship between the pandemic and the rise in pet care business? Discuss.
  • Pet grooming, including upscale pet salons and pet couture, has become a big business in India. In your opinion, are these businesses sustainable? Why or why not? Given the chance, would you venture into the pet care business? Discuss.