With inflation hurting the wallets of Quebecers, pet owners are not spared by the rise in the price of food and accessories for their companions.
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“We don’t even make raises per year anymore. [comme avant]. We are forced to increase our prices constantly depending on the market, explains Pierre Charbonneau, president of Chico pet shops. Unfortunately, it is the consumer who suffers the consequences. We are dependent on our suppliers whom we do not want to set back.”
At Mondou, a major player in this sector of activity, the observation is the same. “We try to adapt our prices as much as possible so that it is reasonable for the consumer,” says Pierre Leblanc, CEO of Mondou pet shops. Our suppliers are increasing their prices, but we must not forget that their costs are also exploding. The price hike is really generalized, but maybe a bit more towards food. The basic products that go into food formulas are all on the rise.”
Admittedly, inflation has caused prices to jump, but the wave of animal adoptions in Quebec has not helped by increasing demand. “We have seen an imbalance between supply and demand since the wave of adoptions. Supply chains have had great difficulty keeping up. The industry is under pressure with new adopters,” adds Mr. Leblanc.
According to Mr. Charbonneau, sales have not dropped, as “consumers are adapting for the moment”. “But until when?” he adds.
In Noyan, Montérégie, Isabelle Bergeron, dog trainer and owner of two dogs, Jaïka and Wesley, says she hasn’t changed her habits despite rising prices.
“I continued to buy from local businesses to feed my dogs. I have remained faithful, because it is a time that is difficult for entrepreneurs”, she says, adding that “encouraging local is important”.
As a dog trainer offering home services, she says she herself is considering the possibility of raising her rates due to high gas prices. “I often travel to my clients, sometimes far from my home. I am in the process of rethinking my costs concerning my consultations.”
For her part, Audrey Poirier, a Montrealer who owns a dog called “Nova”, is paying more and more attention to prices. “I buy less from pet stores, more online to allow me to compare prices more easily. Sometimes I wait for the discounts before buying or I order large quantities of treats, which cost less than the unit.
She further says that she will buy less interactive toys. “I provide a lot of mental stimulation to my dog and I already have lots of interactive toys. From now on, my purchases will be directed towards very resistant accessories to avoid repurchasing them, because the prices are expensive”, she explains.
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Reference-www.journaldequebec.com