Increased Interest in Pets and Plants During 'Back to Staying Home'... Related Product Sales Rise

Gmarket homepage banner related to pet supplies (Photo by Gmarket).

Demand for Pet and Plant Supplies Surges Amid Strengthened Social Distancing
Gmarket Reports Up to Threefold Increase Compared to Same Period Last Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] As COVID-19 cases surged and social distancing measures were elevated to Level 4, the trend of staying at home ('Jipkok') increased once again, leading to a rise in demand for pet and plant-related supplies. With more time spent with pets, sales of snacks and toys have increased, while purchases of companion plants to ease loneliness have also grown.

According to Gmarket on the 21st, sales growth of related products during the recent week of strengthened distancing (June 12?18) surged up to three times compared to the same period last year. Demand for pet supplies stood out. In particular, sales of snacks and pet food increased. Wet dog food sales rose more than threefold (230%), and sales of dog cans and pouches showed a 13% growth. Cat snacks and dried seafood also saw sales increase by 31% each.

Hygiene and outdoor products for neighborhood walks also sold more than last year. Dog waste bags increased threefold (200%), dog shoes rose by 94%, and harness sales grew by 10%. Fences installed to prevent disturbance during remote work or online classes recorded a slight growth of 8%.

On Auction, during the same period, dog food such as dog cans and pouches and dog biscuits and snacks sold 10% and 27% more, respectively. Dried seafood and jerky used as cat snacks increased sales by 94%. Pet grooming products were also popular. Dog brushes increased by 103%, dog nail care products by 110%, and dog hair fashion items by 125%.

11st also saw strong sales during the same period, including dog grooming products (53%), dog supplements (44%), cat supplements (34%), cat snacks (27%), cat grooming products (13%), and dog snacks (10%).

Demand for companion plant-related products also rose. On Gmarket, orchid sales increased more than eightfold (700%), while flowers and topiaries grew by 44% and 42%, respectively. Sales of sprout cultivators, which allow growing vegetables at home, surged nearly threefold (172%). Plant nutrients and gardening supplies also grew by 17% and 13%, supporting the popularity of companion plant products.

Auction also showed growth in hydroponic plants (9%), mini pots (13%), and herbs and carnivorous plants (37%). On 11st, pot nutrients·fertilizers (86%) and herbs (64%), Oriental orchids (22%), and mosquito and insect repellent plants (20%) were popular.

A Gmarket representative said, "As time spent at home has increased due to COVID-19, interest in caring for pets and plants appears to have grown," adding, "With summer vacation approaching, it is interpreted that there is also increased interest for educational purposes for children."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.