Market Insights

South Africa’s Supermarket Chains Expand Pet Offerings as Demand Rises

South Africa’s pet sector is growing, and supermarket chains are stepping up.

South Africa’s Supermarket Chains Expand Pet Offerings as Demand Rises
South Africa’s pet retail sector is gaining momentum, with national sales increasing 3.5% year‑on‑year in November, according to Statistics South Africa. As demand grows for both affordable and premium pet products, major supermarket chains—most notably Spar and Shoprite—are accelerating their expansion into the pet care category.
These retailers are leveraging scale, private‑label development, and in‑store expertise to attract increasingly cautious consumers navigating persistent price pressures.

1. Spar: Building a Knowledge‑Driven Pet Retail Experience

Spar, one of the country’s largest grocery retailers, launched Pet Storey, its dedicated pet retail banner, in September.
Rob Philipson, Director of Pet Storey, explains that while the category offers strong revenue potential, the primary driver was consumer 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,” Philipson says.

Pet Storey’s Strategic Focus

  • Broad assortment across dogs, cats, small animals, birds, and aquatic pets
  • Future expansion into veterinary nutrition, holistic wellness, and advanced care
  • Development of affordable private‑label lines
  • Growth through both physical stores and digital channels
  • Investment in customer education and expert‑led in‑store guidance
This strategy has helped Spar overcome early market barriers and establish credibility among South African pet parents.

2. Shoprite: Scaling Rapidly With Value‑Driven Pet Retail

Shoprite—the largest supermarket retailer in Africa—has been active in the pet category since 2021 and continues to expand aggressively.

Rapid Store Expansion

  • Over 144 Petshop Science stores nationwide
  • 60 new stores opened in 2025
  • 42 stores opened in the second half of 2024
Shoprite aims to disrupt the traditional dominance of specialist vet stores by offering a value‑driven, convenient alternative for South Africa’s growing pet‑owning population.

Private‑Label Nutrition Launch

In November 2025, Shoprite introduced a private‑label dry dog and cat food line developed with veterinarians and animal nutritionists.
The launch responds to rising demand for:
  • Transparent ingredient lists
  • Natural formulations
  • Functional nutrition
  • Products supporting long‑term health and quality of life

3. Retail Environment: Growth Continues Despite Consumer Caution

The Bureau of Market Research (BMR) forecasts that South Africa’s retail trade sales will rise:
  • 7% in nominal terms
  • 2% in real terms (inflation‑adjusted) in 2025.
Total annual retail sales are expected to reach ZAR 1.53 trillion ($81.7B / €75.5B), with nearly half of spending coming from food, beverages, and tobacco.

But Consumers Remain Highly Price‑Sensitive

Deloitte’s Consumer Signals report shows:
  • 78% expect grocery prices to rise
  • 46% reduce at‑home food waste
  • 39% buy only essentials
  • 28% buy less than they want
  • 28% choose cheaper cuts of meat
  • 27% purchase low‑cost ingredients
This cautious mindset is shaping how pet owners shop—driving demand for affordable private labels, value‑driven assortments, and trusted in‑store expertise.

What This Means for the Pet Industry

  • Supermarkets are becoming major competitors to specialty pet retailers
  • Private‑label pet products will expand rapidly
  • Consumers want affordable but trustworthy options
  • Premium and natural nutrition will continue to grow
  • Retailers will invest more in education‑driven in‑store experiences
  • Digital channels will play a larger role in pet care purchasing
The market is shifting toward scale, accessibility, and expertise‑based retailing.

Source: GlobalPETS