Straining at the leash for high fashion
Pet industry spawns booming market in the form of clothing and travel accessories with big brands taking the lead, He Qi reports in Shanghai.
"As a century-old State-owned enterprise, we understand that innovation sustains classics. We merge traditional craftsmanship with modern pet needs, introducing pet care products such as our anti-mite soap and plant-based shampoo, providing care to pet-owning families," says Hou Songtao, general manager of Shanghai Soap Factory Co, during the news conference before the event.
The report also shows that the "child-rearing style" of pet keeping is driving consumption upgrades, with emotional value and social attributes on the rise. People aged 25 to 34 mostly own pets, accounting for 61.7 percent.
Emotional companionship and stress relief have become the main motivations for keeping pets, elevating the relation from basic needs to higher-level value.
"Pets are no longer just companions but very much a member of the core family with strong emotional connection," says Zhang from the Petjoy Fashion Week. "We are witnessing an industry evolution from functional satisfaction to emotional co-creation, which is not just a trend but a profound transformation in the way humans and pets coexist."
The fourth Petjoy Fashion Week kicked off at the Shanghai International Fashion Center, and has attracted brands from 18 countries and regions. It held 15 fashion shows, pet sports championships, coffee cross parties, and other diverse scenarios to build a consumption experience that integrates the virtual and the real.
