With nearly nine million dogs and 15 million cats, the French no longer hide their growing affection for pets. However, it will no longer be possible to soften up in front of puppies and kittens behind the windows of a pet store. The sector, which increased by 20.7% in stores and 20.1% on the internet in France in 2020 *, is now prohibited from selling dogs and cats in stores from 2024. Adopted by parliament on November 18, the law against animal abuse thus aims to fight against abandonment, the French are the European masters in this area. While it will still be possible to adopt or buy dogs and cats from farms, this new act marks a turning point for professionals in the sector who have seen the sales ofanimals and animal products leap onto the internet. The future without dogs or cats in pet stores questions.
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"
I am not against the laws, but I do not understand
", regrets Evelyne Mouix, manager of the Dog Club in the 9th arrondissement of Paris specializing in the sale of small dogs from French breeding for 47 years.
"
It's very unfair because we are very controlled, we pay taxes but the online sale and its excesses, it will continue
», She laments. Like the Dog Club, the union of pet professionals (Prodaf) estimates at 50 in France the number of shops specializing only in the sale of puppies and kittens which will have to lower the curtain on December 31, 2023. According to the Federation garden centers and pet shops in France, while the consequences of this ban would be less for the approximately 2,000 garden center-pet stores, of which only a hundred sell dogs and cats, it is on the other hand around 100 independent pet shops that could be greatly weakened. Not all businesses are threatened, but the torment of professionals is nevertheless being felt in this market which weighs around 700 million euros outside the network of garden centers and pet stores.
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"
If the law had passed this year, we would have lost about 20% of our turnover
," analyzes Stéphane Marchand, the boss of two independent Family Pet stores located in the Center region.
Because if the share of sales of puppies and kittens is derisory, their presence sustains the food and accessories department which represents the largest part of the turnover of its stores and of the pet store in general.
"
T his living part of the business of pet shops is essentially a traffic issue
", explains Etienne Bodin, the general delegate of the Federation of garden centers and pet shops in France.
"
The so-called
"
living "part of the animal store only represents 5 to 7% of sales in France, it is not the profitable part",
also confirms Maud Leschevin, director of operations for the leading Tom & Co pet store chain. in Belgium, which has 44 stores in France. "
On the other hand, a law which would completely prohibit the sale of animals in pet stores would involve a real risk for the future of the sector", she warns.
“
An animal-free pet store is nothing more than a convenience store. It may become a siding,
”worries Stéphane Marchand for whom keeping animals has become more expensive,controlled by the authorities and decried by animal protection associations in recent years.
"Internet, the largest pet store in France"
More dedicated staff, more sanitary and veterinary checks ... "
The sale of dogs and cats represents higher costs for stores
", confirms Etienne Bodin.
This explains why the network of garden centers and pet stores has gradually abandoned the sale of puppies and kittens or that a pet store like Tom & Co only sells small animals.
For the president of Prodaf, the mistrust of stores goes even further because of "
a permanent questioning of the activity of pet stores, in particular because they are cited as the cause of impulse purchases and abandonment on social networks
".
However, according to Prodaf and the Federation of Garden Centers and Animal Centers, nearly 80% of dogs and cats in France are sold via social networks and other online sales platforms.
With 600,000 puppies and 1 million kittens sold online in France in 2020 against 20,000 in stores, it is indeed the internet and its possible drifts on animal welfare that has become "
the largest pet
store
in France
", regrets Etienne Bodin .
“The dog and the cat have become a full member of the family.
We are in the realm of the emotional ”
Maud Leschevin, Director of Operations Tom & Co
Without its most attractive animals, can pet stores, exposed to competition from online platforms, still stand out? "
The dog and the cat have become an integral part of the family,
" explains the director of operations of Tom & Co. A new place that is pulling the average basket of the brand's customers up with nearly 95 € of products per month spent on their little sidekicks. For Maud Leschevin, in stores and online, the choice of animal products and the development of the “
well-being
” segment
Have become essential.
The Belgian brand, like the pet market, has seen a strong increase in the demand for natural products for animals.
From hair and skin care, to anti-stress products to healthy organic food ... Even the accessories are boosted by new features.
The services segment is also experiencing a development of "
all the care and well-being part such as grooming or activities to be done together with your animal
", according to Maud Leschevin.
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“The
Internet cannot replace pet stores.
Over time, a balance has been established,
”according to Etienne Bodin.
"
There is a real axis of development for us because people are moving more and more towards specialized online stores
", observes Maud Leschevin.
"
We are in the realm of the emotional
."
“
Digital development allows us to reach out to these new, younger customers who are very invested in the well-being of their animals,” notes the Director of Operations.
Tom & Co therefore forecasts 3 to 5% sales growth in animal products between 2022 and 2025.
* Figures provided by the Union of Pet Professionals (Prodaf).