CUSTOMER CARE
Who let the dogs in? There’s a new type of customer who wants to visit you. It’s furry, got four legs and a waggy tail… An incredible 3.2 million households in the UK have welcomed a pet into their home since lockdown started, says the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. That’s a lot of families who will want to bring their dog when they go out. Bill Lambert from The Kennel Club gives his advice on how you can welcome them.
Why should businesses consider catering for canines? Pets are very much part of our families and therefore our lives. From a business point, there’s a lot of money out there when it comes to dog owners. If people can take their dog with them when they go out, they’re more likely to stay longer, and not rush home to their dog, and therefore ultimately spend more money.
Why now? There’s been a huge rise in the number of people owning dogs since 2019. Our figures – which account for the number of puppies being registered with us – are up 35%. There are around 10 million dogs in the UK. This means there are many more dog-owning families who are going to want to do what they did beforehand, such as eating and drinking out. If they can find a restaurant or a pub
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