On the Ground at Global Pet Expo: CRC’s Top Takeaways & What’s Next
By Claire ObertinThe CRC Pet Insights Team traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the 2025 Global Pet Expo, one of the largest pet retail trade shows in the country. Held March 26-28, the show brought together pet industry leaders from across categories – consumables, hardgoods, OTC, Rx – to share new ideas, showcase innovation, and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead in today’s evolving landscape.
As a trusted source for pet industry research, CRC’s Pet Insights Council gathered the top takeaways from Global Pet Expo, reflecting the current mindset of brands and exploring where the category is headed next.
Companies across pet are recalibrating strategies in response to macroeconomic factors and shifting consumer purchasing habits, with a few standout themes leading the discussion.
The Mood: Cautious Optimism
The tone of the show was cautious as ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and tariff speculation remain top of mind for brands, even for those not directly tied to import/export products.
- Vendors noted lighter traffic year-over-year, though meetings remained productive.
- Brands described tightened consumer spend in 2025, with outlooks sounding a bit softer than expected at the start of the year.
- Discretionary categories continue to be pressured this year, while consumables categories are working to meet the consumer where they’re at.
- Private label appears to be gaining momentum in the current environment.
- OTC is off to a slower-than-anticipated start to the year, with a delayed Flea & Tick season and more cautious consumer behavior.
What’s New? Freeze-Dried, Supplements & the Rise of the Cat
Innovation in the pet space is evolving, while momentum continues to build around the underserved but growing cat category.
- Innovation is focused on freeze-dried, functional supplements, and new premium launches.
- Attendees cited a lack of true novelty, with many brands launching copycat products.
- Cat continues to be seen as a growth opportunity, with cat adoptions continuing to outpace dog, and historically a more underpenetrated market.
- We continue to see dog premiumization trends hold.
What’s Next
These takeaways from Global Pet Expo reflect the evolving dynamics across pet categories, insights we’ll continue building on at upcoming industry events:
- NASC Annual Conference: April 22–24 | Columbus, OH
- PetFood Forum: April 29–30 | Kansas City, MO
Attending one of these shows? Let’s connect! Reach out to the CRC Team to grab a coffee or schedule a meeting onsite.
Stay Ahead with CRC’s Pet Industry Research
CRC’s Pet Insights Council provides market research insights that go beyond what’s shared at industry events. Members receive exclusive access to:
- Proprietary pet industry research reports
- Unlimited analyst engagement
- Benchmarking analysis on consumer behavior, market growth, and innovation
- Real-time webinars sharing best practices
Click here to learn more about how a CRC Pet Insights subscription can help your business stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.