South Africa: supermarket chains expand pet offering as demand rises

The South African pet retail market is on a growth trajectory, as sales rose 3.5% year-on-year in November, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Against this backdrop, major supermarket chains in the country are expanding into pet care to address rising demand for affordable and premium pet products.

Spar

Spar, one of the largest grocery retailers in the country, launched Pet Storey, its specialized pet retail banner, in September.  

According to Rob Philipson, Director of Pet Storey, while the revenue potential of the pet care market is strong, the decision was primarily driven by customer demand for specialized knowledge.

“We saw an opportunity to differentiate ourselves through deep product and animal knowledge, a carefully curated range and an exceptional in-store experience that empowers customers to make confident, responsible choices for their pets,” Philipson tells GlobalPETS.

Wide assortment 

With an assortment that covers dogs, cats, small animals, birds and aquatic pets, Pet Storey plans to broaden its product range in the future to introduce knowledge-based categories such as veterinary nutrition, holistic and natural wellness and advanced care.

In addition, the retailer is developing private-label offerings in the affordable segment. To achieve its aim of becoming the ‘go-to destination for pet care,’ Philipson notes that Pet Storey will expand its retail footprint through both physical stores and digital channels.

“We’ve also invested in customer education and store experience to distinguish ourselves not just as a retailer, but as a trusted source of pet care expertise,” adds Philipson.

This approach has helped Spar overcome early market barriers and establish a reputation among South African pet parents. 

Shoprite

Africa’s largest supermarket retailer, Shoprite, has been in the pet market since 2021 and continues to expand, now with over 144 Petshop Science stores nationwide. 

In 2025 alone, the retailer opened 60 new locations, following the 42 store openings in the second half of 2024.

“Traditionally, the category has been dominated by specialist vet stores, and we wanted to disrupt that model by offering a value-driven, convenient alternative that caters to South Africa’s growing community of pet owners,” Shoprite tells GlobalPETS.

In November 2025, the pet retailer also launched a private-label range of dry dog and cat food developed with veterinarians and animal nutritionists. The launch was driven by strong demand for transparency, natural ingredients and functional nutrition. 

“Pet owners are also increasingly health-conscious and ingredient-aware, seeking products that support longevity and quality of life,” the company says. 

Retail performance in the country

The Bureau of Market Research (BMR) expects retail trade sales to rise 7% in nominal terms and 2% in real terms (adjusted for inflation) in 2025. Total yearly sales are projected to reach ZAR1.53 trillion ($81.7B/€75.5B), with nearly half of expenditure coming from food, beverages and tobacco.

However, consumers remain cautious amid persistent price pressures. As of December 2025, 78% of South Africans expected grocery prices to increase in the coming month, mirroring sentiment in May 2025, according to Deloitte’s Consumer Signals report. The global consulting firm surveys 1,000 consumers in the country every month. 

This has led many households to cut back, with 46% reducing at-home food waste, 39% buying only essentials, 28% buying less than they wanted, 28% opting for cheaper cuts of meat and 27% purchasing low-cost ingredients.