Go Pet, located in Paseo General Escalon in San Salvador, has a potential market of 465 thousand consumers 15 minutes away by car, and of this group of people 27% are interested in dogs and 20% in cats.
Using the Geomarketing solutions we have developed for our clients, CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence team analyzed the environment of some of the main locations of the establishments dedicated to the sale of veterinary articles, food or services for pets, operating in the countries of Central America. The following is an abstract of the study's findings.
Notwithstanding the economic uncertainty in Costa Rica, businessmen in the pet care and attention sector maintain positive expectations in the short and medium term.
The high fiscal deficit and the depreciation of the local currency, that has accelerated in the last two months, are some of the issues that have generated uncertainty in several productive sectors of the country.
Pet food imports worth around $3 million were reported between January and July 2016, and about $19 million in imports of veterinary products, during the first quarter of last year.
As in other countries in Central America and the Caribbean, businesses linked to animal ownership such as dogs and cats have been growing in recent years, along with an improvement in the purchasing power of Dominicans, who are increasingly allocating a greater portion of their income to pet care.
There are already five private veterinary hospitals that provide services 24 hours a day, in response to growing demand for pet products and services.
Figures from the College of Veterinary Doctors indicate that there are five private veterinary care hospitals operating in the country, which provide services ranging from emergency consultations to surgeries and artificial insemination procedures.
More pets in Panamanian households translate into growth and diversification of the market for products and services for those members of the family.
An article on Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "...Having a pet as a member of the family is a growing trend in Panamanian homes, which has strengthened and diversified trade for companies that are dedicated to this sector, offering everything from food to funeral services."
Panamanians currently spend 40% more than they did in 2009 on grooming, veterinary services, accessories, hotels and other services for their pets.
More and more stores are opening their doors to sell animal products, taking advantage of the high purchasing power and the increase in numbers of foreigners residing in the country.
These shops offer all kinds of services for animals such as grooming, veterinary formalities for travel, hotels, gyms and spas. Yamileth González, manager at veterinary Knino, said the market has been growing steadily and more and more customers are no longer thinking of their pets as animals but as another beloved housemember.
In Guatemala the fashion for having of different kinds of pets in homes is growing, increasing the demand for vets and services to care for them.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "Dr. Julie de Arimany, a veterinarian and owner of Dogcare Veterinary Hospital, believes that the trend for families to adopt a pet as a family member has already been around for more than 20 years and has intensified due to television programs such as those shown on the channel Animal Planet. 'we have been operating as a hospital for eight years and during this time demand has greatly increased, we have had to adapt by adding beauty salon, kennels, home delivery. It's a good business, which is why new veterinary businesses have started up', said de Arimany. "